USPS Plans Permanent Fuel Surcharge on Some Shipping Prices

The U.S. Postal Service plans to make permanent an 8% surcharge on selected shipping prices and add another 3%, bringing the increase to 11%. The changes are scheduled to take effect January 17, 2027, subject to approval by the Postal Regulatory Commission. USPS said it has no intention of increasing the cost of first-class stamps.

The agency also plans average increases of 5.9% for domestic services including Priority Mail, Priority Mail Express, Ground Advantage and Parcel Select. International services, including Priority Mail International and First-Class Package International Service, would rise by an average of 7.9%.

USPS introduced the 8% surcharge in April as a temporary measure. The agency said higher fuel costs added $225 million to mail transportation costs over the 12-month period ending September 30. It will reassess the surcharge during July 2027, using fuel costs from the year's first six months.

The national average price of diesel was $6.10 a gallon on November 12, compared with $3.76 a year earlier. USPS, which finances its operations itself, recorded a $6.5 billion loss in fiscal 2026, down from a $9 billion loss the previous year. The agency has also asked Congress for $2 billion in support and reimbursements, warning that without assistance it could make significant cuts to retail post offices and other services.