USPS 2026 Postal Outlook: January Changes & July Projections

Staying informed about upcoming USPS price adjustments is essential for planning your 2026 budgets and mailing strategies. Here’s a simplified look at what’s confirmed for January and what’s projected for July.

January 2026: Confirmed Shipping Services Price Changes

The Postal Service has filed notice with the PRC for Shipping Services price adjustments effective January 18, 2026. These changes were approved by the USPS Board of Governors.

January Shipping Price Increases

●     Priority Mail: +6.6%

●     Priority Mail Express: +5.1%

●     USPS Ground Advantage: +7.8%

●     Parcel Select: +6.0%

***These adjustments reflect market conditions, not inflation-based pricing.

Mailing Services: No January Increase

USPS confirmed that Mailing Services prices will remain unchanged in January, meaning:

●     The First-Class Mail stamp price stays the same

●     No early-year increases for Marketing Mail, Periodicals, or other letter/flats categories

Why USPS Is Adjusting Rates

USPS notes that these changes support its network modernization plan, which aims to create a more efficient, financially sustainable delivery network that continues to provide nationwide service at least six days a week.

July 2026: Projected Mailing Services Increases

USPS is expected to file its July 2026 rate request in mid-April, but industry projections already offer guidance for planning.

According to Stephen Kearney of the Alliance of Nonprofit Mailers, USPS may have roughly:

●     5% rate authority for letters

●     7%+ for magazines and large envelopes

These projections are based on:

●     ~3% Consumer Price Index

●     2% “mail density” authority

●     2% surcharge for non-compensatory products

What Mailers Should Do Now

●     Budget with July projections in mind

●     Take advantage of stable January mailing rates

●     Review formats, targeting, and USPS promotions to offset future increases

●     Plan ahead — early preparation minimizes the impact of mid-year adjustments

Sources

●      Mailing Systems Technology: “US Postal Service Recommends New Competitive Prices for 2026” — https://mailingsystemstechnology.com/article-5420-US-Postal-Service-Recommends-New-Competitive-Prices--for-2026.html

●      The NonProfit Times: “Postal Rates Won’t Jump Until July 2026” — https://thenonprofittimes.com/npt_articles/postal-rates-wont-jump-until-july-2026/