United States Postal Service announces upcoming temporary price increases

WASHINGTON/BOSTON — The United States Postal Service filed notice Wednesday with the Postal Regulatory Commission regarding a temporary price adjustment for key package products for the 2022 peak holiday season. The USPS stated that the temporary rate adjustment is similar to ones in past years that help cover extra handling costs to ensure a successful peak season.

The planned peak-season pricing, which was approved by the Governors of the Postal Service on Aug. 9, would affect prices on the following commercial and retail domestic competitive parcels: Priority Mail Express, Priority Mail, First-Class Package Service, Parcel Select and USPS Retail Ground. International products would be unaffected. Pending favorable review by the PRC, the temporary rates would go into effect at 12 a.m. Central on October 2, and remain in place until 12 a.m. Central January 22, 2023.

The planned price changes include:

Priority Mail and Priority Mail Express:

Commercial:
$0.75 increase for PM and PME Flat Rate Boxes and Envelopes.
$0.25 increase for Zones 1-4, 0-10 lbs.
$0.80 increase for Zones 5-9, 0-10 lbs.
$0.75 increase for Zones 1-4, 11-25 lbs.
$2.80 increase for Zones 5-9, 11-25 lbs.
$3.00 increase for Zones 1-4, 26-70 lbs.
$6.50 increase for Zones 5-9, 26-70 lbs.
Retail:
$0.95 increase for PM and PME Flat Rate Boxes and Envelopes.
$0.30 increase for Zones 1-4, 0-10 lbs.
$1.00 increase for Zones 5-9, 0-10 lbs.
$0.95 increase for Zones 1-4, 11-25 lbs.
$3.20 increase for Zones 5-9, 11-25 lbs.
$3.25 increase for Zones 1-4, 26-70 lbs.
$6.45 increase for Zones 5-9, 26-70 lbs.

First-Class Package Service, Parcel Select Ground, and USPS Retail Ground:

Commercial:
$0.25 increase for Zones 1-4, 0-10 lbs.
$0.40 increase for Zones 5-9, 0-10 lbs.
$0.75 increase for Zones 1-4, 11-25 lbs.
$1.60 increase for Zones 5-9, 11-25 lbs.
$3.00 increase for Zones 1-4, 26-70 lbs.
$5.50 increase for Zones 5-9, 26-70 lbs.
Retail:
$0.30 increase for Zones 1-4, 0-10 lbs.
$0.60 increase for Zones 5-9, 0-10 lbs.
$0.95 increase for Zones 1-4, 11-25 lbs.
$2.70 increase for Zones 5-9, 11-25 lbs.
$3.25 increase for Zones 1-4, 26-70 lbs.
$5.85 increase for Zones 5-9, 26-70 lbs.

The PRC will review the proposed prices before they are scheduled to take effect October 2.