- USPS is increasing the prices of several of its parcel delivery services.
- The price hike will remain in effect until at least January 17, 2027.
- Even if you don’t ship parcels, expect to pay more for online purchases.
Sending a parcel with the U.S. Postal Service is about to get more expensive. Starting at midnight on April 26, the USPS will slap a temporary 8 percent surcharge on postage for the first time in its history, tied directly to surging fuel costs not only in the United States but worldwide.
While there’s a glimmer of hope that the ongoing war in Iran will draw to a close much sooner than previous US-led or backed conflicts in the Middle East, its effects will linger. USPS has already seen transportation costs climb since the war began and notes that competitors have introduced surcharges of their own.
Read: One State Just Saw Gas Prices Jump 47%, And Others Aren’t Far Behind
The 8 percent jump in base postage prices will directly impact Priority Mail Express, Priority Mail, USPS Ground Advantage, and Parcel Select services. Letters and standard stamp prices, however, will remain unchanged. With this in mind, the cost to send a Priority Mail medium flat-rate box will rise from $22.95 to $24.79.
“This temporary price adjustment will provide needed flexibility for the Postal Service by helping to ensure that the actual costs of doing business are covered, as required by Congress,” the Postal Service said in a statement. “Transportation costs have been increasing, and our competitors have reacted with a number of surcharges.”
Crucially, USPS says the price hike will remain in place only until midnight Central Time on January 17, 2027, and notes it will use this time to “determine if a different long-term approach is needed.” It also acknowledged that the Postal Regulatory Commission will review the proposed price change before it takes effect, likely hoping that the conflict will end before then.
Recent data shows that the national average for a gallon of gas has increased from $2.98 to $3.98 as a direct result of the war in Iran. Diesel prices have also risen sharply, increasing from $3.75 to $5.37 per gallon in the US. Meanwhile, crude oil prices have surged to over $93, up 39 percent over the past month.
For many, the USPS price increase may have a limited impact unless you frequently send parcels. However, regular online shoppers may still feel the effects, as retailers are likely to pass higher shipping costs on to customers. The news is also terrible for businesses that are already contending with elevated expenses.
