US Postal Service Raises Holiday Shipping Rates Nationwide Through January

The U.S. Postal Service is implementing temporary price increases for several shipping services, including Priority Mail, Priority Mail Express, Parcel Select, and USPS Ground Advantage, starting October 5, 2025, through January 18, 2026. These hikes, ranging from $0.40 to $7 depending on weight and zone, are designed to cover extra handling costs during the holiday season and align prices with competitive market practices. Despite the service price increases, stamp prices will remain unchanged until mid-2026. USPS advises customers to ship holiday packages early with specific deadlines to ensure on-time delivery. These changes are part of the USPS's Delivering for America 10-year plan aimed at modernizing the postal network and ensuring financial sustainability. Meanwhile, India's Postal Department has also announced increased Speed Post charges effective October 1, 2025, with new features like OTP-based delivery and real-time tracking.