USPS holiday shipping 2026: higher package prices until January 17, and the send-by dates
USPS's temporary holiday prices add up to $20.80 to a package until January 17, on top of an 8% increase from April. Stamps aren't affected. Here are the Christmas send-by dates and ways to keep shipping costs down.
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What's happened
Sending packages with the US Postal Service costs more this holiday season. USPS's temporary peak-season prices took effect on October 4, 2026 and run until January 17, 2027. They apply to USPS Ground Advantage, Priority Mail, Priority Mail Express and Parcel Select, for both counter and business customers.
USPS announced the change on August 25, saying it would help cover extra handling costs. The increases range from $0.40 to $20.80 a package depending on the service, weight and distance, and work out at an average of about 6%, higher than last year's holiday increases.
They come on top of a separate 8% time-limited increase on the same package services, which started on April 26, 2026 to cover transportation costs and also runs until January 17, 2027.
Letters aren't affected. A First-Class Mail Forever stamp costs 82 cents, as it has since July 12, 2026.
Who's affected
Anyone mailing gifts, returning items with a label they pay for, or running a small online business. The biggest increases are on heavy packages sent long distances. A heavy Priority Mail Express package at the retail counter is up $20.80, while a small Ground Advantage package sent nearby is up just 50 cents.
How much more you'll pay
These are the temporary increases at the Post Office counter (retail prices).
| Service | Up to 3 lb | 4-10 lb | 11-25 lb |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ground Advantage, zones 1-4 | +$0.50 | +$0.80 | +$1.25 |
| Ground Advantage, zones 5-9 | +$0.75 | +$1.40 | +$2.75 |
| Priority Mail, zones 1-4 | +$0.50 | +$0.80 | +$1.25 |
| Priority Mail, zones 5-9 | +$1.00 | +$2.10 | +$4.30 |
| Priority Mail Express, zones 1-4 | +$1.40 | +$2.45 | +$5.05 |
| Priority Mail Express, zones 5-9 | +$2.35 | +$6.30 | +$11.70 |
Priority Mail Flat Rate products are up $1.00 each, or $2.10 for a Large Flat Rate Box. USPS's current retail price list shows a Flat Rate Envelope at $13.90, a Small Flat Rate Box at $14.65, a Medium at $25.80 and a Large at $36.10.
What it means in dollars: a worked example
This is an illustration using USPS's published increases.
Sam is sending three gift boxes from Ohio: a 2 lb box to a cousin in the same state, a 6 lb box to his sister in California and a Medium Flat Rate Box of cookies to his parents in Florida.
By Ground Advantage, the nearby 2 lb box is up $0.50 and the 6 lb box to California is up $1.40. The Medium Flat Rate Box is up $1.00. That's $2.90 more than before October 4 for the same three packages, on top of April's 8% increase. If he sent the 6 lb box by Priority Mail instead, the holiday increase alone would be $2.10.
Christmas send-by dates
For delivery before December 25 within the lower 48 states, USPS recommends sending by:
- USPS Ground Advantage and First-Class Mail: Thursday, December 17
- Priority Mail: Friday, December 18
- Priority Mail Express: Saturday, December 19
For Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico and US territories, First-Class Mail, Priority Mail and Priority Mail Express have the same dates, but Ground Advantage can take 10 days or more, so check the expected delivery for your ZIP Codes. Most international mail should go by Wednesday, December 9 (Priority Mail Express International by December 16). For military APO, FPO and DPO addresses, Ground Advantage should go by Wednesday, November 4. Hanukkah runs December 4 to 12 this year, so plan earlier for those gifts.
What to do now
- Weigh first, then choose the service. For heavy items going a long way, a Flat Rate box can work out cheaper than paying by weight. For light items, Ground Advantage is usually cheapest.
- Get free boxes. USPS gives away Priority Mail and Flat Rate boxes at Post Offices and online, and you can book a free package pickup from home.
- Send early. Mailing ahead of the send-by dates won't lower the price, but it avoids paying extra for a faster service at the last minute.
- Ship direct from the store. Buying online and sending the gift straight to the recipient often means free shipping, rather than paying postage yourself.
- Hold off on non-urgent packages. If something can wait, sending it after January 17 avoids the holiday increase.
FAQs
Do the holiday prices apply to stamps and letters?
No. USPS says no products other than these four package services are affected. Letters, cards and Forever stamps keep their current prices.
When do prices go back down?
The holiday increases and April's 8% increase are both due to end at midnight Central Time on January 17, 2027.
Do the send-by dates guarantee delivery?
No. They're USPS recommendations, and actual delivery depends on where the package is going, when you drop it off and other conditions.
Ways to save
If coffee is on your list, Peet's Coffee offers free domestic shipping on orders of $49 or more, so you can send it straight to the recipient instead of boxing it up yourself (checked on October 26, 2026).
Sources: USPS: temporary price change for 2026 holiday shipping season (August 25, 2026), USPS: transportation-related, time-limited price change (March 25, 2026), USPS: 2026 holiday shipping deadlines, USPS Notice 123 price list (effective October 4, 2026), Retail Dive: USPS sets 6% average holiday increase (August 31, 2026), Peet's Coffee
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