Monday, August 11, 2025
USPS announces temporary price changes
The adjustments will be in place for the holiday shipping season
The Postal Service has notified the Postal Regulatory Commission of temporary price changes for some package services for the holiday shipping season.
The planned adjustments, which the USPS governors approved Aug. 7, will affect prices on Priority Mail Express, Priority Mail, USPS Ground Advantage and Parcel Select. No other products or services would be affected.
Pending favorable review by the commission, the temporary rates would go into effect at midnight Central on Sunday, Oct. 5, and remain in place until midnight Central on Sunday, Jan. 18.
The changes will help cover extra handling costs and bring prices for the Postal Service’s commercial and retail customers in line with competitive practices.
As a strategic part of the Delivering for America 10-year plan, the temporary changes will support the Postal Service in creating a revitalized organization capable of achieving its public service mission — providing a nationwide, integrated network for the delivery of mail and packages at least six days a week — in a cost-effective and financially sustainable manner over the long term.
The planned changes include:
Retail
Priority Mail and USPS Ground Advantage: Zones 1-4
• 40-cent increase for 0-3 pounds
• 60-cent increase for 4-10 pounds
• 95-cent increase for 11-25 pounds
• $3 increase for 26-70 pounds and oversized items
Priority Mail: Zones 5-9
• 90-cent increase for 0-3 pounds
• $1.45 increase for 4-10 pounds
• $3.25 increase for 11-25 pounds
• $7 increase for 26-70 pounds
Priority Mail Flat Rate
• $1.45 for large flat-rate boxes
• 90 cents for all other flat-rate products
USPS Ground Advantage: Zones 5-9
• 50-cent increase for 0-3 pounds
• $1 increase for 4-10 pounds
• $2 increase for 11-25 pounds
• $5.75 increase for 26-70 pounds
Priority Mail Express
• $1.10 increase for zones 1-4, 0-3 pounds
• $2 increase for zones 5-9, 0-3 pounds
• $2 increase for zones 1-4, 4-10 pounds
• $4.85 increase for zones 5-9, 4-10 pounds
• $3.90 increase for zones 1-4, 11-25 pounds
• $9 increase for zones 5-9, 11-25 pounds
• $9.75 increase for zones 1-4, 26-70 pounds
• $16 increase for zones 5-9, 26-70 pounds
Priority Mail Express Flat Rate
• $2 increase for flat-rate envelopes
Commercial
Priority Mail and USPS Ground Advantage: Zones 1-4, and Parcel Select (all entries)
• 30-cent increase for 0-3 pounds
• 45-cent increase for 4-10 pounds
• 75-cent increase for 11-25 pounds
• $2.25 increase for 26-70 pounds and oversized items
Priority Mail: Zone 5-9
• 70-cent increase for 0-3 pounds
• $1.25 increase for 4-10 pounds
• $2.75 increase for 11-25 pounds
• $6.50 increase for 26-70 pounds
Priority Mail Flat Rate
• $1.25 for large flat-rate boxes
• 70-cent for all other flat-rate products
USPS Ground Advantage: Zone 5-9
• 35-cent increase for 0-3 pounds
• 75-cent increase for 4-10 pounds
• $1.25 increase for 11-25 pounds
• $5.50 increase for 26-70 pounds
Priority Mail Express
• $1 increase for zones 1-4, 0-3 pounds
• $1.75 increase for zones 5-9, 0-3 pounds
• $1.50 increase for zones 1-4, 4-10 pounds
• $3.95 increase for zones 5-9, 4-10 pounds
• $3.50 increase for zones 1-4, 11-25 pounds
• $7.50 increase for zones 5-9, 11-25 pounds
• $8.95 increase for zones 1-4, 26-70 pounds
• $13 increase for zones 5-9, 26-70 pounds
Priority Mail Express Flat Rate
• $1.75 for flat-rate envelopes
The complete USPS price filing can be found on the commission’s website. Price tables are also available on the Postal Explorer website.
Heroes
He came to the aid of a customer who collapsed
The woman stumbled and fell as she came to the door to greet the letter carrier
As Letter Carrier Casey Roubidoux was approaching a home in Weiser, ID, recently, he could see the customer through the screen door coming to greet him.
But the woman then stumbled and crashed into a side table, striking her arm and head as she fell.
The Postal Service employee opened the door to help the customer, who appeared to be having a seizure.
Roubidoux called 911 and waited with her until help arrived.
The customer was back at home the next day and greeted Roubidoux at the door.
Employees featured in “Heroes” receive letters of commendation through the Postmaster General Heroes’ Program. The nomination form is available on Blue.
Week in Review
Here’s what Link covered Aug. 3-9
SpongeBob SquarePants, new sorters and a gesture of gratitude made news
SpongeBob SquarePants absorbed a lot of attention in Link last week, with stories on the dedication event for the stamps featuring the cartoon TV character and a USPS video that stars voice actors from the series.
In business news, we looked at the Postal Service’s new sorters, which can handle 7,000 packages an hour, and reported on the organization’s third-quarter financial results and planned temporary price changes for the fall.
We also offered tips on staying safe in the heat, offered information on skin diseases, warned about brushing scams, and reminded readers that the deadline to purchase semipostal T-shirts is Aug. 15.
“People” shared the inspirational story of Brittany Bennett, a customer services supervisor in Princeton, NJ, who was deployed to Syria last year as a member of the Army National Guard. Grateful for the messages and care packages she received from colleagues during her stint, she repaid their kindness by presenting them with a flag that had flown over her base.
And in “Heroes,” Letter Carrier Casey Roubidoux was approaching a home in Weiser, ID, when he saw the customer stumble and crash into a table. Suspecting she was having a seizure, Roubidoux called 911 and waited with her until help arrived.
The customer was back at home the next day to greet the Postal Service employee at the door.
Email us your feedback. Your comments could be included in our “Mail” column.
August 18, 2025
Datebook
‘Healthier Eating on a Budget’
Postal Service employees may participate in an upcoming webinar on the advantages of meal planning and strategies for shopping for nutritious food.
The session, “Healthier Eating on a Budget,” will be held Monday, Aug. 18, from noon to 1 p.m. Eastern.
Representatives from United Healthcare, a provider of health plans for federal employees, will lead the discussion.
Participants must register before the event on the webinar website.
Participation is voluntary. Nonexempt employees must participate off the clock or during authorized breaks.
Employees with questions can email the USPS Benefits and Wellness team.
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What's included
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USPS announces temporary price changes
The adjustments will be in place for the holiday shipping season
-
Heroes
He came to the aid of a customer who collapsed
-
Week in Review
Here’s what Link covered Aug. 3-9
SpongeBob SquarePants, new sorters and a gesture of gratitude made news
-
August18Datebook
‘Healthier Eating on a Budget’