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The short version
- USPS temporary holiday prices started October 4, 2026 and run until January 17, 2027 (USPS, August 25; approved by the Postal Regulatory Commission in Order No. 9718, September 9).
- They apply to Priority Mail Express, Priority Mail, USPS Ground Advantage and Parcel Select, retail and commercial. USPS says no other products or services are affected.
- Most sellers buy labels at commercial prices (eBay, Etsy, shipping apps): a 0 to 3 lb Ground Advantage parcel costs $0.40 more in Zones 1-4 and $0.55 more in Zones 5-9.
- Heavy, far parcels take the biggest hit: $7.70 more for a 26 to 70 lb Ground Advantage parcel to Zones 5-9 (commercial).
What changed
USPS filed time-limited price changes with the Postal Regulatory Commission on August 25, 2026 (Docket CP2026-10). The Commission approved them on September 9. Commercial increases per parcel:
| Weight | Ground Advantage and Priority Mail, Zones 1-4 | Ground Advantage, Zones 5-9 | Priority Mail, Zones 5-9 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0 to 3 lb | +$0.40 | +$0.55 | +$0.85 |
| 4 to 10 lb | +$0.65 | +$1.05 | +$1.75 |
| 11 to 25 lb | +$1.05 | +$1.75 | +$3.85 |
| 26 to 70 lb | +$3.15 | +$7.70 | +$9.10 |
Commercial prices. Source: USPS news release, August 25, 2026. Cubic tiers follow the matching weight band in the release.
Commercial Priority Mail Flat Rate goes up $1.75 for Large Flat Rate Boxes and $0.85 for other Flat Rate products. Retail prices (at the Post Office counter) rise more, for example $0.50 for a 0 to 3 lb parcel in Zones 1-4. Parcel Select rises $0.40 to $2.35 depending on weight.
What it means for your business
On a light parcel the change is small, but it repeats on every order during your busiest weeks. Illustrative only: 200 orders of 0 to 3 lb Ground Advantage to Zones 5-9 cost $110 more over the season ($0.55 each).
If you offer free shipping or a flat shipping price, the increase comes out of your margin. On eBay and Etsy, fees are also charged on the shipping the buyer pays, so raising shipping prices raises those fees a little too.
Who is affected
- Online sellers who ship with USPS: eBay, Etsy, Poshmark, Mercari, Depop and website sellers, plus Amazon sellers who ship their own orders.
- Not affected: products outside these four services, such as First-Class Mail letters (USPS says no other products or services are affected).
What to do now
- Check your shipping profiles on Etsy, eBay and your site, and decide whether to absorb or pass on the increase until January 17.
- Rerun your margins in the profit margin calculator with the new shipping cost.
- For heavy items going far, compare UPS and FedEx quotes before you buy the label.
- Put January 17, 2027 in your calendar to switch shipping prices back.
Know your profit after shipping
Our Reseller Profit Tracker logs every item from buy to sold, with fees and shipping on each sale, so a postage change shows up in your profit right away. No subscription, no account, your data stays on your device.
General information, not legal, tax or customs advice. Rules change often: check the official sources above or a licensed customs broker before you act. SuanSupply is not affiliated with any government agency or marketplace named here.