USPS announces new rates for July 2026

The USPS has announced an average rate increase of 4.8% for market dominant (mailing) products including First-Class stamps, metered letters, postcards and Certified Mail. Pending approval by the Postal Regulatory Commission (PRC), these rates will go into effect on July 12, 2026. Here’s a quick snapshot of what’s changing:

• First-Class Mail Forever Stamp: Increase from 78¢ to 82¢
• Metered 1-oz letters: Increase from 74¢ to 78¢
• Domestic postcards: Increase from 61¢ to 65¢
• Certified Mail fee: $5.30 to $5.55

USPS^® Annouces International Destination and Military Office Suspensions effective March 3, 2026.

Effective March 3, 2026, the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) has announced two suspension notices. 

The Postal Service is temporarily suspending acceptance of items destined to the countries listed in this document, due to logistics impacts resulting from the conflict in the Middle East.

The Military ZIP codes listed in this document are temporarily suspended from all mailing services until further notice. 

To stay up to date on news with the USPS, please visit postalpro.usps.com. 
 

USPS^® rule clarifying postmark definition: What you need to know

Effective December 24, 2025, the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) implemented a new rule clarifying the official meaning of a postmark. While USPS operations have not changed, this update affects how time-sensitive mail may be evaluated. This change will not affect metered mail.

What changed?

Under the updated rule, a USPS postmark now explicitly reflects the date a mailpiece is processed at a USPS facility, not necessarily the date it was dropped into a mailbox or given to a carrier.

Previously, many customers assumed the postmark generally represented the date USPS received the item. Due to network modernization and regional processing centers, mail may travel before receiving its first postmark. The new rule aligns postal regulations with this existing practice.

What this means for you

This change will not affect metered mail. For items where deadlines matter, (e.g., tax documents, mail-in ballots, legal filings, and bills) a postmark is often used as proof of timely mailing. Because processing may occur days after deposit, the postmark date could fall after a required deadline.

USPS has stated that this change is intended to improve public understanding and does not alter current postmarking practices.

To reduce risk when mailing time-sensitive items:

• Do not rely solely on the postmark date for proof of timely mailing
• Obtain proof of USPS acceptance when deadlines are critical, such as a retail receipt
• Allow extra time between deposit and deadlines, especially during peak mailing periods

Additional notes

• There are no changes to Certified Mail or Metered Mail services.
• Pre-printed postage labels from Self-Service Kiosks, Click-N-Ship, or postage meters only show when postage was purchased or printed. They do not prove USPS acceptance or the mailing date.
• The date you post on your metered mail needs to be the date the item is mailed. Metered mail is expected to be deposited on the date shown on the indicia, and acceptance clerks may review outdated postage dates.

USPS announces changes to shipping rules and services for July 2026

After the recent temporary rate change announcement in April 2026, the USPS has announced that as of July 12, 2026 shipping prices will remain largely unchanged except for new fees and a change to ounce-based rating for Ground Advantage Commercial pricing. A few highlights are as follows:

• The DIM divisor changes from 166 to 139 making DIM rating in line with other carriers. This may also increase the price of DIM weight.
• USPS Ground Advantage is eliminating ounce-based rating for published Commercial rates
• There will be a Dimension Noncompliance Fee of $3.00 per parcel for any package missing dimensions or with incorrect dimensions
• A new HazMat fee is being introduced for Priority Mail and Priority Mail Express of $7.50 per package
• There will be a Hazmat non-compliance fee of $50 per package for undeclared hazardous materials or improperly labeled shipments

USPS announces temporary price change

The U.S. Postal Service (USPS) has filed notice with the Postal Regulatory Commission (PRC) of a temporary price adjustment aimed at better aligning shipping prices with rising transportation costs. The change includes an 8% increase to base postage rates for select domestic competitive products like Priority Mail Express, Priority Mail, USPS Ground Advantage, and Parcel Select, while leaving other services, such as First-Class Mail, unaffected. The adjustment will be in effect from April 26, 2026 through January 17, 2027.

This temporary increase is designed to help USPS cover operational costs and serve as a bridge toward a more permanent pricing model that reflects market conditions. Despite the adjustment, USPS notes that its rates remain competitive and lower than many industry surcharges. The change supports the organization’s long-term goal of maintaining a reliable, nationwide delivery network while meeting its universal service obligation in a financially sustainable way. Pitney Bowes shipping software will automatically update with the changes.

New rates announced for Retail and Commercial shipping services proposed for January 18, 2026.

The USPS has announced changes to its Shipping Services (Competitive Products) that if approved by the Postal Regulatory Commission (PRC), will go into effect January 18, 2026.

The updated price files can be found here: January 2026 Price Change | Postal Explorer

Here is a summary of the average increases (increases vary across weight breaks and zones):

• Priority Mail^® prices increase an average of 6.6% 
• Priority Mail Express prices increase an average of 5.1%
• Ground Advantage™ prices increase an average of 7.8% 
• Parcel Select prices increase an average of 6.0%

In addition, the following classification changes are proposed:

• The Postal Service plans to revise International Mail Country Price Group assignments for several countries (French Guiana, Guadeloupe, Martinique, and Reunion). 
• The PRC recently approved a USPS proposal to eliminate Registered Mail for some of its outbound International Services (First-Class Package International Service, GEPS/GREPS). It remains for international letters.  The effective date for this change is January 1, 2026.
• This current filing also proposes revisions to content restrictions for International Direct Sacks–Airmail M-Bags (M-Bags) – USPS would restrict the contents to solely printed matter.
• Also in this current filing, the Postal Service is introducing a USPS Delivered Duty Paid (DDP) Ancillary Service, a new competitive ancillary service fee that involves the prepayment by the mailer of any applicable customs duties, taxes, and fees at the time of mailing, as opposed to such charges being due upon delivery (does not include the duties, taxes, etc.).  As described in the filing, the fee is initially set to $0, but may be revised as customs requirements evolve.

Pitney Bowes clients will continue to see the best rates on the market with a savings of up to 88% through the USPS Connect Ecommerce (CeC) program. Our software solutions take the guess work out of rates and presents you with the best possible USPS rate for every package you send. And don't forget, USPS does not add any surcharges for fuel, residential delivery, or regular Saturday delivery.

Check out our rate calculator below to see if your package qualifies for certain rates.