USPS Holiday Shipping Prices Are Now Higher Until Jan. 17: What It Costs to Mail Gifts This Year

If you plan to mail packages to family this season, it now costs a bit more, but stamps and regular letters are not affected.

The U.S. Postal Service's temporary holiday price increase took effect on Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026. The higher prices apply to several package services and will last until Jan. 17, 2027, according to the Postal Service.

USPS announced the plan in August and said the extra charge is meant "to help cover extra handling costs to ensure a successful peak season." Peak season is the busy stretch from fall through the holidays, when package volume jumps.

Which services cost more

The temporary increase applies to four domestic package services:

• Priority Mail Express, the fastest USPS option
• Priority Mail, usually one to three days
• USPS Ground Advantage, the lower-cost ground option many people use for gifts
• Parcel Select, a service used mostly by businesses

Stamps and First-Class Mail are not affected. So holiday cards and letters mailed with a regular stamp cost the same as before.

How much more you could pay

The exact increase depends on the service, the weight of the package and how far it travels. The Postal Service groups distances into "zones." Zones 1 through 4 are closer; zones 5 through 9 are farther away.

Here are some examples from the USPS announcement for retail Priority Mail, which is what you pay at the post office counter:

• Small packages (up to 3 pounds) going to zones 1-4: about 50 cents more
• Medium packages (4 to 10 pounds) going to zones 1-4: about 80 cents more
• Larger packages (11 to 25 pounds) going to zones 1-4: about $1.25 more

Heavier and longer-distance shipments see bigger jumps. For example, the heaviest retail Priority Mail Express packages (26 to 70 pounds) going to the farthest zones cost $20.80 more, according to USPS.

Postmaster General David Steiner has said that "pricing is one lever that we have to use now to grow revenue," according to TheStreet. Other carriers, including FedEx and UPS, also add peak-season charges, so shopping around may not always avoid extra holiday costs.

What this means for your wallet

For one or two small gifts, the added cost may be a few dollars. But for families mailing several boxes, especially heavy ones going across the country, the extra charges can add up. A few ways to keep shipping costs in check:

• Weigh before you go. A package that is just over a weight limit may jump into a higher price tier. Lighter packing materials could help.
• Compare services. Ground Advantage is usually cheaper than Priority Mail if you have time. Check the delivery estimate and price for each before choosing.
• Ship early. Mailing early gives you the option of slower, cheaper services instead of paying for speed in December.
• Consider shipping straight from the store. Some retailers offer free shipping or let you send a gift directly to the person, which may cost less than mailing it yourself.
• Think about gift cards or digital gifts. For faraway relatives, a gift that does not need a box can skip shipping costs entirely.
• Build shipping into your holiday budget. Postage is easy to forget. Setting aside a set amount for shipping may prevent surprises.

This article is for education only and is not financial advice. Everyone's situation is different.