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USPS Seeks Temporary 8% Surcharge on Packages to Offset Rising Transport Costs

Regulators must now decide on a time-limited charge meant to cover higher transport costs.

Overview

  • USPS, which filed the plan Wednesday with the Postal Regulatory Commission, seeks an 8% increase on Priority Mail Express, Priority Mail, USPS Ground Advantage and Parcel Select.
  • If approved, the surcharge would start April 26 and run through January 17, 2027, and it would not change the price of First-Class stamps or other mail services.
  • The Postal Service says the move helps cover rising diesel and jet fuel expenses, while reports note rivals FedEx and UPS are charging far larger fuel fees of roughly 25% to 28%.
  • The March 24 board approval followed Postmaster General David Steiner’s warning that USPS could run out of cash within a year without more pricing flexibility and higher borrowing limits.
  • For customers, common shipments would see modest increases — a medium Priority Mail flat-rate box would rise from $22.95 to about $24.80 — as regulators weigh the request.