USPS announces 2026 price increases
Cost of First-Calls Mail stamp to be unchanged
By: Saleen Martin
USA Today
..... The U.S. Postal Service has announced shipping price increases for 2026.
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The USPS filed a notice about the changes with the Postal Regulatory Commission, which oversees the Postal Service. the shipping service price increases will take effect on January 18. [2026]
..... While shipping service prices are increasing, the Postal service said it will stick with its original plan and will not raise mailing service prices in January, [2026]
meaning the price of a First-Calls Mail stamp will stay the same.
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The agency announced the changes on November 14, [2025] in a news release, noting the changes are part of the service's 10-year plan to be financially sustainable and provide excellent service.
..... Based on the consumer price index and adjusted according to market conditions, examples of planned increases include 5.1% for Priority Mail Express service, 6% for Parcel Select, 6.6% for Priority Mail service and 7.8% for USPS Ground Advantage.
..... The Postal Service said it generally get no tax dollars for operating expenses and relies on postage, products and services. Officials believe the new rates will keep the agency competitive while bringing in necessary revenue.
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News of the price increases came the same day the Postal Service released its financial reports for the 2025 fiscal year. The Postal Service's controllable loss, or net loos adjusted for costs outside of management's control such as workers' compensation, increased from $1.8 billion in 2024 to $2.7 billion in 2025. That's an increase of $900 million, the Postal Service said. The agency added that net loss decreased $542 million compared to 2024, and operating revenue increased 1.2%, totaling $80.5 billion. the revenue increase is largely due to growth in USPS Ground Advantage services and "strategic price increases," the agency said.