Starting January 18, 2026, United States Postal Service (USPS) is implementing new shipping rates that will affect resellers, ecommerce sellers, and small businesses. These changes are officially published in USPS’s Price Change Index, which includes final price files, notices, and service-level updates.
Some shipping services are getting more expensive, others are seeing targeted decreases—especially at higher weight tiers. If shipping costs impact your margins (and they do), here’s a clear, seller-focused breakdown of what’s changing and what it means for your business.
Quick Overview: How USPS Framed the 2026 Rate Changes
According to USPS’s official pricing release, the 2026 changes reflect average increases across competitive shipping services, with pricing adjustments varying by weight, zone, and package type. USPS publishes complete rate tables and documentation so sellers can calculate exact costs for their specific shipments.
This is important context: headline averages don’t tell the full story. Some weight tiers and services are becoming meaningfully cheaper, which creates opportunities for sellers who ship strategically.
Ground Advantage: Small Increases, Big Wins for Heavier Packages
USPS Ground Advantage remains one of the most commonly used services for online sellers, and the 2026 changes are nuanced.
- Shipments up to 15.9 oz increase by an average of about 4%
- Packages in the 10–20 lb range are seeing price drops of up to 26%
For sellers shipping heavier items like shoes, coats, bundles, or home goods, this can significantly reduce per-order shipping costs.
Seller takeaway:
Lightweight Ground Advantage shipments cost slightly more, but heavier packages may now be cheaper than Priority Mail or Flat Rate options in many cases.
Priority Mail: Increases for Most, Savings for Heavier Weights
Priority Mail pricing is mostly increasing in 2026, but again, weight matters.
- Most Priority Mail rates are increasing by up to 13%
- Packages weighing 11–20 lb can see up to 8% lower rates
This keeps Priority Mail competitive for sellers shipping heavier orders where delivery speed still matters.
Seller takeaway:
Priority Mail isn’t always the cheapest option—but for heavier shipments, it may still win on both price and speed.
Priority Mail Flat Rate: Small Adjustments, Mostly Stable
Flat Rate pricing is seeing modest, targeted changes:
- Most Flat Rate envelopes and boxes are 10–20 cents cheaper
- Medium Flat Rate Boxes increase by 15 cents
- Large Flat Rate Boxes increase by 30 cents
While these are small adjustments, sellers who rely heavily on Flat Rate packaging should still re-check their assumptions.
Seller takeaway:
Flat Rate remains predictable, but weight-based services may now be cheaper for certain items—especially heavier ones.
Priority Mail Express: Minimal Changes Overall
For sellers offering expedited shipping options:
- Priority Mail Express rates increase by an average of about 2%
- PME Flat Rate Envelopes decrease by 10–15 cents
This is one of the smallest adjustments in the 2026 USPS update.
Seller takeaway:
Express shipping costs remain relatively stable, particularly for documents or lightweight expedited orders.
USPS International Shipping: Overall Increases Continue
International shipping rates are increasing again in 2026.
- USPS international rates are rising approximately 4–8% on average
This impacts sellers shipping globally, especially those with thinner margins or flat international shipping pricing.
Seller takeaway:
International shipping prices should be reviewed carefully to ensure costs are accurately reflected in your listings.
Simple Export Rate (SER): Still the Cheapest International Option
The Simple Export Rate is increasing slightly:
- SER rates are going up by $1–$2 per shipment
Even with this increase, SER remains the most affordable USPS option for international shipping.
Seller takeaway:
SER is still the best entry-level international shipping option for most sellers.
What Online Sellers Should Do Next
With these USPS rate changes taking effect January 18, 2026, now is the time to:
- Re-evaluate which USPS services you use most
- Compare weight-based vs. Flat Rate options more often
- Adjust pricing where necessary to protect margins
- Take advantage of lower rates on heavier shipments
- Revisit your overall shipping strategies for resellers as costs shift
Shipping strategy matters more than ever. Sellers who stay informed and adapt quickly are better positioned to remain competitive without eroding profits.
For full documentation and downloadable pricing files, refer to the official 2026 USPS rate change details published by USPS.
The table below summarizes the most important USPS shipping rate changes taking effect January 18, 2026, based on official USPS pricing updates.
| USPS Service | What’s Increasing | What’s Decreasing | Key Notes |
| Ground Advantage | Shipments up to 15.9 oz increase ~4% | 10–20 lb packages decrease by up to 26% | Heavier Ground Advantage shipments are significantly cheaper in 2026 |
| Priority Mail | Most rates increase up to 13% | 11–20 lb packages decrease up to 8% | Weight matters more than ever for Priority Mail |
| Priority Mail Flat Rate | Medium Box +15¢Large Box +30¢ | Most Flat Rate envelopes & boxes –10¢ to –20¢ | Flat Rate mostly stable with small adjustments |
| Priority Mail Express | Average increase of ~2% | PME Flat Rate Envelopes –10¢ to –15¢ | Smallest overall change among services |
| USPS International | Rates increase 4–8% on average | — | International shipping continues trending upward |
| Simple Export Rate (SER) | +$1–$2 per shipment | — | Still the cheapest USPS international option |
