Priority Mail Express Open and Distribute Service Ending
Published Date: 6/17/2026
Rule
Summary
Starting January 17, 2027, the Postal Service will stop accepting parcels sent with Priority Mail Express and Priority Mail Open and Distribute as regular services. This change mainly affects businesses and mailers who send parcels, but they can still use these services for letters and flats or through special agreements. The switch aims to simplify parcel mailing options without raising prices.
Analyzed Economic Effects
5 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.
Parcels No Longer Accepted Under These Services
Starting January 17, 2027, the Postal Service will stop accepting parcels sent with Priority Mail Express and Priority Mail Open and Distribute as published services. This change mainly affects businesses and mailers who send parcels and removes the ability to use those published services for parcel-sized pieces.
Postal Service Says Prices Will Not Rise
The Postal Service states the switch to discontinue parcel handling under these published services aims to simplify parcel mailing options without raising prices. The rule text explicitly says the switch aims to simplify options 'without raising prices.'
Services Retained for Letters and Flats
Even after January 17, 2027, Priority Mail Express and Priority Mail Open and Distribute will continue to be available to expedite letter-size and flat-size pieces. Mailers can still use these services for letters and flats and for eligibility for destination entry prices for those shapes.
Parcel Option Available Via Negotiated Agreements
As an alternative, Priority Mail Express and Priority Mail Open and Distribute will be made available for parcel mailers through negotiated service agreements (NSAs). Mailers who need parcel handling under these services must use an NSA rather than the published service after January 17, 2027.
Effective Date Set and Delayed
The Postal Service revised the rule to be effective January 17, 2027 instead of the originally proposed July 12, 2026. That is the date when parcels will no longer be accepted under the published Priority Mail Express and Priority Mail Open and Distribute services.
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