Your Priority Mail Just Got 5-7% More Expensive, Thanks USPS
Published Date: 11/20/2025
Rule
Summary
Starting January 18, 2026, the Postal Service is raising prices on popular shipping options like Priority Mail Express and Priority Mail by about 5-7%. This affects anyone sending packages or using extra mailing services, with some flat rate envelopes and boxes getting pricier. No changes to mailing rules, just new prices to keep things running smoothly!
Analyzed Economic Effects
7 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 7 costs, 0 mixed.
Priority Mail Express price rise
Starting January 18, 2026, Priority Mail Express prices rise overall by 5.1 percent. Retail prices average a 5.0 percent increase and Commercial Base prices average a 5.9 percent increase; Flat Rate Envelope prices go to $33.25, Legal Flat Rate Envelope to $33.50, and Padded Flat Rate Envelope to $34.15.
Priority Mail price increases and new flat-rate prices
Effective January 18, 2026, Priority Mail prices increase overall by 6.6 percent. Retail prices rise about 6.3 percent on average and Commercial prices about 6.9 percent; Flat Rate Envelope increases to $11.95, Legal Flat Rate Envelope to $12.25, Padded Flat Rate Envelope to $12.95, Small Flat Rate Box to $12.65, Medium Flat Rate Box to $22.95, and Large Flat Rate Box to $31.50 (APO/FPO/DPO Large Flat Rate Box to $30.15).
USPS Ground Advantage price increases
On January 18, 2026, USPS Ground Advantage prices increase overall by 7.8 percent; Retail prices rise 5.9 percent while Commercial prices rise 9.6 percent. These changes apply to ground shipping rate schedules.
Extra and nonstandard service fee changes
Starting January 18, 2026, some extra and nonstandard fees change: Adult Signature Required and Adult Signature Restricted Delivery prices rise an average of 15.5 percent; USPS Label Delivery Service prices increase 6.5 percent; Nonstandard Fees increase an average of 17 percent; the Dimension Noncompliance Fee doubles from $1.50 to $3.00. Pickup on Demand and USPS Tracking Plus prices remain the same.
Parcel Select and USPS Connect price increases
Effective January 18, 2026, Parcel Select Destination Entry prices increase by an average of 6.0 percent and USPS Connect Local prices increase by 4.9 percent. These changes affect parcel entry and local connect services.
New USPS Delivered Duty Paid (DDP) service introduced
The Postal Service is introducing a USPS Delivered Duty Paid (DDP) fee and service in the DMM effective January 18, 2026. DDP lets mailers prepay customs duties, taxes, and fees for items mailed from certain U.S. possessions and territories to domestic U.S. locations; the new USPS fee covers facilitation only and does not include those taxes, duties, or non‑USPS fees.
Recipient services and PO Box price rises
Effective January 18, 2026, competitive Post Office Box service prices increase 2.9 percent, Premium Forwarding Service prices increase 6.8 percent, and the USPS Package Intercept fee increases 6.0 percent. Address Enhancement Service and the Package Quality Noncompliance Fee remain the same.
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Key Dates
Related Federal Register Documents
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2026-16016, New Mailing Standards for Live Animals
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