USPS 2025 Holiday Rate Increases: What Shippers Need to Know

USPS Confirms 2025 Peak-Season Price Adjustments

USPS 2025 holiday rate increases are on the way. These temporary peak season surcharges are set to impact USPS Ground Advantage, Parcel Select, Priority Mail, and Priority Mail Express. Pending approval by the Postal Regulatory Commission, these seasonal price changes will take effect October 5, 2025, through January 18, 2026. The adjustments affect both retail and commercial rates, and will influence shipping costs for ecommerce, DTC brands, and retailers nationwide.

USPS says the seasonal increase will help offset higher handling and operational costs during the busiest shipping months, aligning its rates with competitive market practices. The agency estimates these changes will generate about $99.5 million in additional revenue, supporting its Delivering for America 10-year plan.

Holiday Surcharge Details — Retail Rates

Priority Mail & USPS Ground Advantage: Zones 1–4

0–3 lbs: +$0.40


4–10 lbs: +$0.60


11–25 lbs: +$0.95


26–70 lbs: +$3.00

For Zones 5–9 under the Priority Mail service:

0–3 lbs: +$0.90


4–10 lbs: +$1.45


11–25 lbs: +$3.25


26–70 lbs: +$7.00

Priority Mail Flat Rate

Large Flat Rate Box: +$1.45


All other Flat Rate Products: +$0.90

USPS Ground Advantage: Zones 5–9

0–3 lbs: +$0.50


4–10 lbs: +$1.00


11–25 lbs: +$2.00


26–70 lbs: +$5.75

Priority Mail Express

Zones 1–4: +$1.10 to +$9.75, depending on weight


Zones 5–9: +$2.00 to +$16.00, depending on weight


Flat Rate Envelopes: +$2.00

Holiday Surcharge Details — Commercial Rates

Priority Mail & USPS Ground Advantage: Zones 1–4, and Parcel Select

0–3 lbs: +$0.30


4–10 lbs: +$0.45


11–25 lbs: +$0.75


26–70 lbs: +$3.00

For Zones 5–9 under the Priority Mail service:

0–3 lbs: +$0.70


4–10 lbs: +$1.25


11–25 lbs: +$2.75


26–70 lbs: +$6.50

Priority Mail Flat Rate

Large Flat Rate Box: +$1.25


All other Flat Rate Products: +$0.70

USPS Ground Advantage: Zones 5–9

0–3 lbs: +$0.35


4–10 lbs: +$0.75


11–25 lbs: +$1.25


26–70 lbs: +$5.50

Priority Mail Express

Zones 1–4: +$1.00 to +$8.95, depending on weight


Zones 5–9: +$1.75 to +$13.00, depending on weight


Flat Rate Envelopes: +$1.75

How 2025 Compares to 2024

According to USPS filings, Ground Advantage volume will see an average increase of 5.2% in 2025, down from 6.4% in 2024. Priority Mail rates, however, will rise more steeply — 5.6% on average in 2025 versus 5.5% last year — while Priority Mail Express jumps to a 5.6% average increase compared to 4.9% in 2024. These adjustments follow additional price changes USPS implemented in July 2025.

You can also see how these 2025 USPS changes compare with 2024’s increases in our 2024 Peak Season Surcharge Comparison article, which includes FedEx and UPS.

Why It Matters

The timing of these surcharges directly overlaps with peak ecommerce sales from October through mid-January. As a result, they can significantly affect profit margins for retailers and DTC brands. Businesses shipping nationwide will see the highest costs for heavier packages traveling to Zones 5–9. To stay competitive, companies need to plan now — from service selection to warehouse positioning — to control costs and maintain delivery speed.

For more strategies on handling seasonal surcharges and high order volumes, check out our guide on 7 Must-Do Tips to Prepare Fulfillment for Peak Season and our breakdown of How to Handle Demand Fulfillment. These resources cover inventory allocation, carrier selection, and fulfillment best practices to help you manage the busiest shipping months efficiently.

How 3PL Center Helps Reduce USPS Peak-Season Costs

At 3PL Center, we help clients navigate seasonal USPS surcharges by:

Leveraging our discounted carrier contracts to lower base shipping costs


Rate shopping across USPS, FedEx, and UPS through our WMS to choose the most cost-effective option for each order


Positioning inventory across our multiple warehouse locations to shorten shipping distances and reduce zone-based costs


Managing oversized and heavy shipments to avoid additional handling or large-package surcharges

Key Takeaways on USPS 2025 Holiday Rate Increases

USPS’s 2025 holiday rate increases are more moderate for Ground Advantage; however, they are steeper for Priority Mail and Priority Mail Express compared to last year. Therefore, for businesses, the best defense is advanced planning. This includes optimizing fulfillment locations, selecting the right service level, and working with a 3PL partner so you can find the lowest-cost shipping method during peak season.

Ready to Cut Peak-Season Shipping Costs?
Get a custom fulfillment plan that reduces USPS surcharges and speeds up delivery. Book a call with 3PL Center or try our instant quote calculator today.