USPS Announces Shipping Price Increases for January 2026, First-Class Stamps Unchanged. The United States Postal Service is adjusting its mailing prices next month. While the cost of a First-Class Mail stamp will remain unchanged for now, price adjustments for various shipping services will take effect on January 18, 2026.
These price changes will affect costs for everyday Americans and businesses that rely on USPS shipping services. The adjustments come as the organization works to generate necessary revenue and modernize its operations, navigating challenges like staffing shortages in regions including Maine, Texas, Kentucky, and Alabama, which have caused package and mail delays.
The upcoming USPS update will introduce specific price increases across key shipping categories:
- Priority Mail service prices will rise by an average of 6.6%.
- Priority Mail Express service will see a 5.1% increase.
- USPS Ground Advantage prices will increase by 7.8%.
- Parcel Select prices will go up by 6.0%.
According to the USPS, these new rates are designed to keep the Postal Service competitive while providing the organization with needed revenue. The changes are part of a broader network modernization plan to support a financially sustainable future for the organization.
The governors of the United States Postal Service accepted a recommendation from Postmaster General David Steiner to temporarily forgo a price change for “Market Dominant products,” which include First-Class Mail stamps and other related services, until mid-year 2026.
