USPS Plans Mail Rate Hikes Starting July to Battle Inflation
Published Date: 4/16/2025
Notice
Summary
The Postal Service is planning to raise prices on many domestic and international mail services starting July 13, 2025, to keep up with inflation. This affects anyone who sends or receives mail through these services. The public can share their thoughts on these changes by May 9, 2025, so don’t miss your chance to speak up!
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.
Postal Price Increases on July 13, 2025
The Postal Service plans to raise prices effective July 13, 2025. The Postal Service’s filing shows average planned class-level increases of 7.385% for First-Class Mail, 7.385% for USPS Marketing Mail, 9.385% for Periodicals, 7.385% for Package Services, and 7.835% for Special Services.
First‑Class/Marketing Mail Growth Incentives Made Permanent
The Postal Service proposes revising the growth-incentive base period from the previous fiscal year to the previous calendar year and making the First-Class Mail and USPS Marketing Mail Growth Incentives a permanent part of those price structures, removing the need for annual reapproval.
Seven Time-Limited Postal Promotions Proposed
The Postal Service seeks approval for seven named promotions during specified periods that mailers could use: Informed Delivery Add-On/Upgrade Promotion (January 1–December 31, 2026); Sustainability Add-On/Upgrade Promotion (January 1–December 31, 2026); Tactile, Sensory, and Interactive Mailpiece Engagement Promotion (January 1–June 30, 2026); Integrated Technology Promotion (six-month start date selectable within 2026); First-Class Mail Advertising Promotion (September 1–December 31, 2026); Continuous Contact Promotion (April 1–December 31, 2026); and Catalog Insights and Continuous Contact Promotion (October 1, 2025–June 30, 2026).
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Key Dates
Department and Agencies
Related Federal Register Documents
2025-10758, System for Regulating Rates and Classes for Market Dominant Products
Starting in 2025, the Postal Service will only change rates for Market Dominant products once a year until 2030, making prices more predictable and easier to manage. They’ll also fix discounts to better match actual cost savings, stopping unfair price cuts. These changes affect businesses and customers who use postal services and aim to save money and simplify how rates are set.
2025-03042, Market Dominant Postal Products
Starting March 28, 2025, the Postal Regulatory Commission is updating rules about discounts and promotions for popular mail services like First-Class and Marketing Mail. These changes affect mailers who use these services by clarifying how discounts count toward price limits, helping the Postal Service manage rates better. If you send mail regularly, these updates could impact your costs and the timing of discounts.
2026-20739, New Postal Products
The Postal Regulatory Commission is reviewing new deals the Postal Service wants to add or change for competitive mail services. If you’re a business or mail user, these changes could affect how certain mail products work and their prices. You’ve got until October 15, 2026, to share your thoughts before the Commission makes decisions.
2026-20437, New Postal Products
The Postal Regulatory Commission is reviewing new deals the Postal Service wants to add or change for competitive mail services. This affects businesses and customers who use special postal agreements, with public comments open now. These updates could change how some postal products work and might impact prices or services soon.
2026-20293, New Postal Products
The Postal Service has asked for approval of a new special deal for competitive mail services, and the Postal Regulatory Commission is letting everyone know and asking for comments by October 7, 2026. This affects businesses and customers who use these special mail services, with possible changes to pricing or options. It’s a chance to weigh in before the deal moves forward, keeping mail services fresh and fair!
2026-19893, New Postal Products
The Postal Service has asked for approval of new deals that offer special shipping options to businesses. These changes could affect companies using competitive mailing services and might bring new pricing or service tweaks. If you want to share your thoughts, you have until October 2, 2026, to comment online.
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