Overview
- USPS, which filed notice Wednesday, asked the Postal Regulatory Commission to approve a temporary 8% charge on Priority Mail Express, Priority Mail, USPS Ground Advantage and Parcel Select.
- The fee would take effect April 26 and run through January 17, 2027 if the commission signs off.
- USPS cites sharply higher fuel and transport expenses linked to the Iran conflict and says rivals now levy far larger fuel surcharges, often in the mid‑20% range.
- First-Class Mail and stamps are excluded from this request, and USPS says the charge is less than one-third of what competitors collect for fuel alone.
- Postmaster General David Steiner warns the agency could run out of cash within about a year and is also pushing for authority to raise postage and lift a $15 billion borrowing cap.