The 2025 peak season is almost here—and with it, USPS’s temporary holiday pricing. Below is everything you need to know, plus clear tables showing how much each service changes by weight and zone.
Key Takeaways:
- Effective dates: October 5, 2025 → January 18, 2026
- Scope: Select domestic USPS services
- Good news: Most 3–10 lb Ground Advantage and Priority Mail shipments won’t change
- What you do: Nothing special—temporary prices are applied automatically at checkout
What’s Changing (Domestic Only)
Flat Rate Products – Temporary Adjustments
- Priority Mail Flat Rate Large Flat Rate Boxes & APO/FPO/DPO Large Flat Rate Boxes: +$1.25 All other Flat Rate products: +$0.70
- Priority Mail Express Flat Rate Flat Rate Envelopes: +$1.75
How Pricing Is Applied
You don’t need to memorize any of this. Temporary USPS price increases are applied automatically.
Tips to Keep Costs Down
- Weigh and measure accurately. Rounding dimensions up to the next whole inch (a UPS rule that many shippers follow to avoid disputes) is a good internal practice, and accurate dims help you avoid adjustments.
- Use the Rates Calculator. Enter your weight, dimensions, and destination to find the lowest-cost service for each package.
- Consider 3–10 lb windows. If you ship a lot in that range for Ground Advantage or Priority Mail, you’re largely shielded from changes.
FAQs
Why does USPS do this every year?
- Peak surcharges help carriers handle seasonal volume spikes—more packages mean higher temporary operating costs.
Do I need to update anything in my account?
- No. Rates update automatically. Just keep your package details accurate.
When do prices go back to normal?
- After January 18, 2026, USPS will roll back to non-peak pricing.
