Postage Rates Go Up on January 18, 2026

As we ring in the New Year, the USPS is once again rolling out a postage increase. And they’re not alone—DHL, UPS, and FedEx have all announced 5.9% rate increases for early 2026.

USPS, however, is raising its postage rates a little more aggressively than its private-carrier competitors. Here’s a quick breakdown of the changes taking effect January 18, 2026:

• Priority Mail Express: +5.1%

• Priority Mail: +6.6%

• USPS Ground Advantage: +7.8%

• Parcel Select: +6%

While these increases are significant, the jump may feel smaller than expected. Since early October, shippers have been paying USPS’s annual holiday surcharge, which temporarily raised many package rates. That surcharge ends on January 18, softening the impact of the new baseline increase—at least for now.

There’s also some genuinely good news:

• Stamp prices are not increasing in January 2026.

• Bulk mail and other market-dominant mail rates will also remain the same.

Still, in an era of rising tariffs, higher supply costs, increased rents, and ongoing operational expenses, these shipping updates matter. They make it harder for e-commerce businesses—especially small shops—to continue offering free or discounted shipping without feeling the squeeze.

At Key Fulfillment Solutions, we’re committed to helping you adapt. Throughout the New Year, we’ll be sharing practical, easy-to-implement tips to help you reduce postage costs, trim packaging expenses, and streamline your fulfillment workflow.

Follow along on Facebook, Instagram, and our blog for strategies you can use immediately to keep costs under control in 2026.