Changeflow GovPing Government & Legislation USPS Competitive Product Rate Changes

Routine Notice Added Final

USPS Competitive Product Rate Changes

Regs.gov: Postal Service

Published April 26th, 2026

Detected March 31st, 2026

Summary

The United States Postal Service Governors established time-limited rate changes for competitive products effective April 26, 2026, through January 17, 2027. Priority Mail Express, Priority Mail, and USPS Ground Advantage prices increase 8.0 percent on average across both retail and commercial price categories, maintaining the existing zoned pricing structure.

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What changed

The Postal Service Governors, under authority of 39 U.S.C. 3632, have established new prices for competitive shipping products effective April 26, 2026. The changes affect Priority Mail Express, Priority Mail, and USPS Ground Advantage, each with an 8.0 percent average increase across retail and commercial price categories. The prices are time-limited, running until January 17, 2027, when they will be restored to approved levels unless further action is taken. Governors' Decision No. 26-1 confirms these changes comply with 39 U.S.C. 3632-3633 and 39 CFR 3035.102, ensuring each product covers attributable costs and competitive products collectively contribute at least 8.0 percent to institutional costs.

Commercial shippers and businesses using USPS competitive products should update their systems and contracts to reflect the 8.0 percent price increase before April 26, 2026. Mailers should review the Mail Classification Schedule at www.prc.gov for specific pricing details. Since the rate changes are time-limited through January 17, 2027, planning for the January 2027 restoration should also be incorporated into long-term budgeting and contract negotiations.

What to do next

Update shipping cost estimates and billing systems for 8.0 percent increase across Priority Mail Express, Priority Mail, and USPS Ground Advantage
Review Mail Classification Schedule changes at www.prc.gov for specific product pricing
Plan for January 17, 2027 price restoration deadline

Source document (simplified)

Content

ACTION:

Notice of a change in rates of general applicability for competitive products.

SUMMARY:

This notice sets forth time-limited changes in rates of general applicability for competitive products.

DATES:

Effective date: April 26, 2026.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Elizabeth Reed, 202-268-3179.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

On March 24, 2026, pursuant to their authority under 39 U.S.C. 3632, the Governors of the Postal Service established time-limited
price changes for competitive products. The Governors' Decision and the record of proceedings in connection with such decision
are reprinted below in accordance with section 3632(b)(2). Mail Classification Schedule language containing the new prices
can be found at www.prc.gov.

Jeffrey Boblick, Attorney, Ethics and Legal Compliance.

Decision of the Governors of the United States Postal Service on Changes in Rates of General Applicability for Competitive

Products (Governors' Decision No. 26-1)

March 24, 2026

Statement of Explanation and Justification

Pursuant to authority under section 3632 of title 39, as amended by the Postal Accountability and Enhancement Act of 2006
(“PAEA”), we establish new prices of general applicability for certain domestic shipping services (competitive products),
and concurrent classification changes to effectuate the new prices. These prices shall be in effect at 12:00 a.m. CDT on April
26, 2026, until 12:00 a.m. CST on January 17, 2027, at which time prices will be restored to approved levels. The changes
are described generally below, with a detailed description of the changes in the attachment. The attachment includes

  the draft Mail Classification Schedule sections with the new prices that will take effect on April 26 displayed in the price
  charts, as well as the Mail Classification Schedule sections with the prices that will be restored on January 17, 2027, unless
  the Governors take further action to adjust prices.

As shown in the nonpublic annex being filed under seal herewith, the changes we establish should enable each competitive product
to cover its attributable costs (39 U.S.C. 3633(a)(2)) and should result in competitive products as a whole complying with
39 U.S.C. 3633(a)(3), which, as implemented by 39 CFR 3035.107(c), requires competitive products collectively to contribute
a minimum of 8.0 percent to the Postal Service's institutional costs. Accordingly, no issue of subsidization of competitive
products by market dominant products should arise (39 U.S.C. 3633(a)(1)). We therefore find that the new prices are in accordance
with 39 U.S.C. 3632-3633 and 39 CFR 3035.102.

I. Domestic Products

A. Priority Mail Express

Overall, the Priority Mail Express price change represents a 8.0 percent increase. The existing structure of zoned Retail
and Commercial price categories is maintained. Retail prices will increase 8.0 percent on average, while the Commercial price
category will increase 8.0 percent on average.

B. Priority Mail

On average, Priority Mail prices will be increased by 8.0 percent. The existing structure of zoned Retail and Commercial price
categories is maintained. Retail prices will increase 8.0 percent on average, while the Commercial price category will increase
8.0 percent on average.

C. USPS Ground Advantage

USPS Ground Advantage, introduced in July 2024, is the Postal Service's flagship ground package product. USPS Ground Advantage
prices will increase 8.0 percent on average. The existing structure of zoned Retail and Commercial price categories is maintained.
Retail prices will increase 8.0 percent on average, while the Commercial price category will increase 8.0 percent on average.
The Alaska Limited Overland Routes (LOR) price category will see a 8.0 percent increase.

D. Parcel Select

On average, Parcel Select prices will increase overall by 8.0 percent, with different percentages allocated across weight
classes.

No price changes are being made to Special Services or International competitive products.

Order

The changes in prices set forth herein shall be effective at 12:00 a.m. on April 26, 2026, and will be rolled back to approved
levels at 12:00 a.m. on January 17, 2027. We direct the Secretary of the Board of Governors to have this decision published
in the
Federal Register
in accordance with 39 U.S.C. 3632(b)(2), and direct management to file with the Postal Regulatory Commission appropriate notice
of these changes.

By The Governors.

/s/

Amber F. McReynolds,

Chair, Board of Governors.

UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE OFFICE OF THE BOARD OF GOVERNORS

Certification Of Governors' Vote on Governors' Decision No. 26-1

Consistent with 39 U.S.C. 3632(a), I hereby certify that, on March 24, 2026, the Governors voted on adopting Governors' Decision
No. 26-1, and that a majority of the Governors then holding office voted in favor of that Decision.

/s/

Date: March 24, 2026.

Lucy C. Trout,

Secretary of the Board of Governors.

[FR Doc. 2026-06025 Filed 3-27-26; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 7710-12-P