If you want to avoid higher holiday shipping costs, act now. The U.S. Postal Service is rolling out temporary price increases on Oct. 5 that will affect Priority Mail Express, Priority Mail, USPS Ground Advantage and select parcel services through mid-January — so send cards and gifts early.
Why this matters — fast
The USPS is implementing a time-limited rate increase for peak-season handling (Oct. 5, 2025 → Jan. 18, 2026). That means many common shipping options will cost more during the busiest weeks of the year. Overall, affected services are seeing average increases in the ~5%–6% range, with larger bumps on heavier or long-distance parcels. If you plan to ship gifts this season, waiting until after Oct. 5 could add dozens of dollars to multi-package orders.
What changes and when to act
| What to watch | Details | Action to take now |
|---|---|---|
| Effective date | Oct. 5, 2025 — temporary rates through Jan. 18, 2026. | Ship before Oct. 5 if you can. |
| Services affected | Priority Mail Express, Priority Mail, USPS Ground Advantage, Parcel Select (retail & commercial). | Choose or prepay shipments now. |
| Typical price impact | Avg. ~5–6% higher for affected services; larger increases for heavier/longer-zone parcels. | Compare options: Ground Advantage often cheapest for non-urgent boxes. |
| Stamp & letter mail | First-class stamp already rose earlier in 2025 (check current price). | Buy Forever stamps now if you send many cards. |
| Holiday delivery cutoffs | Domestic shipping cutoffs range mid-December; some international and military mail deadlines are much earlier. Ship early. |
What exactly is changing
USPS announced a time-limited peak-season price change that increases retail and commercial prices for many parcel services during the holiday peak. The changes include tiered increases by weight and zone for Priority Mail, Ground Advantage and Priority Mail Express. First-class letter stamps were already raised earlier in 2025 — so both letters and parcels have seen upward pressure this year.
How this affects your holiday mailing plans
- Cards: If you mail hundreds of cards, the stamp increase (earlier in 2025) already raised per-card cost. Buying Forever stamps now locks in the current price for any cards you send later.
- Gifts: Boxes sent via Priority Mail or Ground Advantage will be pricier after Oct. 5 — particularly for heavier items and long-distance (Zones 5–9). Shipping multiple gifts after the increase adds up quickly.
- Small businesses & sellers: If you ship orders regularly, expect higher shipping bills during the Oct–Jan window. Consider prepaying postage or adjusting product prices if needed.
Smart moves to save money (do these today)
- Ship before Oct. 5 — whenever possible, mail packages and cards now to avoid the temporary surcharge.
- Buy Forever stamps now — if you mail a lot of cards, stamps purchased today avoid future stamp price uncertainty.
- Compare services — for non-urgent gifts, USPS Ground Advantage is usually cheaper than Priority; for small light packages, First-Class Package rates may still be best.
- Use online postage & pickup — buy and print postage at home (often cheaper commercial rates) and schedule a free USPS pickup to skip lines.
- Consolidate & downsize packaging — every extra pound or oversized box tier can raise the price significantly after Oct. 5. Repack to the smallest safe box.
Real deadlines — don’t miss them
USPS publishes recommended domestic and international deadlines for holiday delivery (these vary by service and destination). Domestic on-time cutoffs commonly fall in mid-December — with some international and military mail deadlines much earlier. If you want guaranteed Christmas delivery for certain services, ship well before the recommended cutoff.
The debate: why temporary hikes?
USPS says the time-limited increases help cover peak-season handling costs and maintain service performance during the busiest weeks. Critics counter that repeated temporary hikes add cost pressure on consumers and small businesses, while mail volumes remain well below historical levels. Expect debate about pricing strategy to continue into 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
When exactly do the temporary price increases start and end?
The time-limited rates take effect Oct. 5, 2025 and are scheduled to remain in place through Jan. 18, 2026.
Which services get more expensive?
Priority Mail Express, Priority Mail, USPS Ground Advantage and many Parcel Select offerings see increases. First-class stamps were adjusted earlier in 2025.
Will my small, light package cost much more?
Average increases are modest (~5–6%), but heavier or long-zone parcels face larger dollar increases.
Can I still get cheaper commercial rates?
Yes — commercial/online postage providers often offer discounted pricing versus retail counters.
What if I don’t have time — fastest way to ship?
Priority Mail Express remains the fastest domestic USPS product, but it’s also among those affected by the temporary surcharge.
Final takeaway — act now
This is a true last-chance moment for bargain holiday shipping: buy stamps, pre-pay postage, or ship key gifts before Oct. 5, 2025. If you wait, expect higher parcel bills and tighter delivery windows during the peak season. Plan now, ship early, and avoid the holiday price squeeze.
