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01/21/2026
Mail Price Increases Start Today: What to Know About USPS Changes
Source: Newsweek, January 18, 2026
Mail prices from the United States Postal Service will change today as new shipping service rates go into effect.
The postal service previously announced that priority mail would increase by 6.6 percent on January 18. Meanwhile, the priority main express service is surging 5.1 percent, ground advantage is climbing by 7.8 percent, and parcel select by 6 percent.
Why It Matters
The new prices come as the USPS is steadily losing money, and costs for everyday Americans continue to rise.
Late last year, the USPS reported continuing staffing shortages affecting several regions, resulting in package and mail delays across Maine, Texas, Kentucky and Alabama.
What To Know
This marks the first price rise since last July, when first-class stamps went up from $0.73 to $0.79.
The USPS traditionally updates prices in January and July, and shipping prices are generally handled differently from traditional mailing services.
While the latter is adjusted based on inflation, shipping services depend on market conditions. That means shipping prices are increasing despite the first-class mail stamp remaining at $0.78.
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