USPS Holiday Surcharge for 2024

The USPS is temporarily increasing rates for some package services from October 6th to January 19th. Holiday shipping rates tend to go up for all major carriers like USPS, FedEx, and UPS. These temporary rate increases are normal to help carriers handle the increased package volume during the busy holiday season. This ensures they can maintain their service standards.

USPS pricing overview:

As a reminder Commercial Pricing is a discounted rate offered to businesses who print USPS shipping labels and meet certain volume requirements. Commercial Pricing is always cheaper than the Retail Pricing given at the Post Office.

ShipEngine offers discounted USPS shipping rates that are below Commercial Pricing for shipments within the continental U.S. when you print labels through our platform. Customers can access these discounts when printing USPS labels using ShipEngine’s wallet.

Here’s what you need to know:

Affected Services: Priority Mail Express, Priority Mail®, and USPS Ground Advantage™ both Commercial and Retail rates.

Commercial pricing adjustments

Priority Mail® and USPS Ground Advantage™ (Zones 1-4):

• $0.30 increase for packages weighing 0-3 lbs.
• $0.45 increase for packages weighing 4-10 lbs.
• $0.75 increase for packages weighing 11-25 lbs.
• $3.00 increase for packages weighing 26-70 lbs.

Priority Mail® and USPS Ground Advantage™ (Zones 5-9):

• $0.70 increase for Priority Mail® and $0.35 increase for USPS Ground Advantage™ for packages weighing 0-3 lbs.
• $1.25 increase for Priority Mail® and $0.75 increase for USPS Ground Advantage™ for packages weighing 4-10 lbs.
• $2.75 increase for Priority Mail® and $1.25 increase for USPS Ground Advantage™ for packages weighing 11-25 lbs.
• $7.00 increase for Priority Mail™ and $5.50 increase for USPS Ground Advantage™ for packages weighing 26-70 lbs.

Priority Mail Express (Zones 1-4):

• $1.00 increase for packages weighing 0-3 lbs.
• $1.50 increase for packages weighing 4-10 lbs.
• $3.50 increase for packages weighing 11-25 lbs.
• $8.95 increase for packages weighing 26-70 lbs.

Priority Mail Express (Zones 5-9):

• $1.75 increase for packages weighing 0-3 lbs.
• $3.95 increase for packages weighing 4-10 lbs.
• $7.50 increase for packages weighing 11-25 lbs.
• $13.00 increase for packages weighing 26-70 lbs.

Retail pricing adjustments

Priority Mail® and USPS Ground Advantage™ (Zones 1-4):

• $0.40 increase for packages weighing 0-3 lbs.
• $0.55 increase for packages weighing 4-10 lbs.
• $0.95 increase for packages weighing 11-25 lbs.
• $4.00 increase for packages weighing 26-70 lbs.

Priority Mail® and USPS Ground Advantage™ (Zones 5-9):

• $0.90 increase for Priority Mail® and $0.50 increase for USPS Ground Advantage™ for packages weighing 0-3 lbs.
• $1.45 increase for Priority Mail® and $1.00 increase for USPS Ground Advantage™ for packages weighing 4-10 lbs.
• $3.25 increase for Priority Mail® and $2.00 increase for USPS Ground Advantage™ for packages weighing 11-25 lbs.
• $8.50 increase for Priority Mail® and $5.85 increase for USPS Ground Advantage™ for packages weighing 26-70 lbs.

Priority Mail Express (Zones 1-4):

• $1.10 increase for packages weighing 0-3 lbs.
• $2.00 increase for packages weighing 4-10 lbs.
• $3.90 increase for packages weighing 11-25 lbs.
• $9.75 increase for packages weighing 26-70 lbs.

Priority Mail Express (Zones 5-9):

• $2.00 increase for packages weighing 0-3 lbs.
• $4.85 increase for packages weighing 4-10 lbs.
• $9.00 increase for packages weighing 11-25 lbs.
• $16.00 increase for packages weighing 26-70 lbs.

For complete details on the new pricing, please visit the Postal Explorer website at pe.usps.com/PriceChange/Index.

How to save on shipping costs during the holidays

If you’re using ShipEngine, you may be able to offset these temporary rate increases. ShipEngine often offers discounted shipping rates for major shipping carriers, including USPS. By using ShipEngine, you can potentially access rates that are lower than those offered to the general public, helping you mitigate the impact of holiday rate increases.