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Tue May 12 2026 09:50:34

Some USPS Package Rates to Rise on July 12

By: Ina Steiner

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It's going to cost more to ship large, lightweight packages through the USPS beginning in July - and sellers should take note and adjust their prices accordingly. USPS announced rates for competitive services (think packages, not letter mail) taking effect on July 12, 2026 that include making some subtle but significant changes:

- USPS Ground Advantage prices will largely remain unchanged.

- USPS is eliminating ounce-based rate differentiation for published Commercial USPS Ground Advantage prices, but said the change would not impact customers that have negotiated commercial rates for USPS Ground Advantage. That *could* mean that marketplaces like eBay and Etsy would not be impacted.

- No changes are being made to International competitive products. 

- USPS will lower the dimensional weight (DIM weight) divisor from 166 to 139 across all domestic competitive products.

The lower the DIM weight divisor, the more expensive to ship. DIM weight pricing applies to packages that are lightweight but take up a lot of room. Think of a large box of pillows - shipping carriers want to charge for the room that box takes up in their trucks and planes. In 2019, USPS moved from using a divisor of 194 for certain packages to 166 and expanded it to more services.

Other changes announced on Monday that will take effect in July include the following:

New fees:

- New Hazardous Materials fees will be introduced that apply to Priority Mail Express, Priority Mail, Parcel Select, and USPS Ground Advantage.

Changes impacting certain fees:

- For domestic products, competitive Post Office Box prices will increase 3% on average, within the existing price ranges. 

- For Parcel Select, the price for forwarding and returns will increase from $3.80 to $6.

- For customers using Address Correction Service (ACS) with Shipper Paid Forwarding/Return, the price will increase from $3.20 to $5.40. 

Any rate increases are amplified due to the "temporary" 8% surcharge USPS imposed on April 26 impacting Priority Mail Express, Priority Mail, USPS Ground Advantage, and Parcel Select - both retail and commercial. (It does not impact market dominant services such as First Class Letter Mail.)

Don't expect this to be the last hit on package rates: USPS has historically raised package rates in October that run through the following January.

The filing can be found on the PRC website, and see the full press release on the USPS website.



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Perminate Link for Some USPS Package Rates to Rise on July 12   Some USPS Package Rates to Rise on July 12

This user has validated their user name. by: Rexford

Tue May 12 11:55:44 2026

They won't quit until they have forced ecommerce sellers out of business.  And what will that get them?   The frequent compounded price increases are unsustainable.  Not to mention that the service declines despite rising prices.  I read this week that parcel shipments have dropped 8.1% since October 2025.

They will reach a point where they drive people to UPS or FedEx.  I already ship a fair number of packages with UPS due to the fact that UPS beats USPS' price on certain sizes and weights.  I am guessing many sellers will shift their inventory to lighter weight items.

Of course eBay and Etsy only profit from these rises, so don't expect them to fight these increases on the sellers' behalf.

Perminate Link for Some USPS Package Rates to Rise on July 12   Some USPS Package Rates to Rise on July 12

by: terry This user has validated their user name.

Tue May 12 21:11:49 2026

There goes the last of my fishing rods, only thing I'm making a money off. Forget light weight items, shipping has gotten as much by buying them new at the store. I was trying to get to end of next year but looks like this is it. Best to start looking for a nice box to live in

Perminate Link for Some USPS Package Rates to Rise on July 12   Some USPS Package Rates to Rise on July 12

This user has validated their user name. by: Rexford

Wed May 13 04:30:37 2026

Terry, I hear you.  Shipping a 3 ounce item USPS Ground from the east coast to west coast is now over $6.00.  Just insane.

The USPS reported a near $2 billion loss for the first quarter of 2026.  This is music to the GOP's ears.  They've wanted USPS privatized as long as I can remember.



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