2021 USPS Rate Changes to Take Effect on January 24

Every year, the U.S. Postal service proposes new mailing and shipping rates and files notice with the Postal Regulatory Commission (PRC) of price changes. Here are the proposed USPS rate increases for domestic and international shipping services that will take effect on January 24, 2021.

Overall, most shipping prices will see an increase. Priority Mail Express (Commercial Base) will increase by 2.5%; shipping prices to U.S. territories (Zone 9) will increase by 4.95% or more. However, the rate increase will not affect Priority Mail Express Flat Rate Envelopes.

Priority Mail (Commercial Base) will increase by 3.6% on average. Rate increases vary from 2.04% or lower to 24.99% or more depending on the package weight and zone. Packages weighing up to 6 lbs that are delivered to Zones 1-5 will see the lowest increase, whereas packages delivered to U.S. territories (Zone 9) will see the highest increase. Priority Mail Flat Rate products will see a shipping rate increase as well, varying from 3.5% to 5.46%. Priority Mail Regional Rate boxes will see a shipping rate increase ranging from 1-2% (Regional Rate Box A to Zones 1-5) to 25% (shipping to Zone 9).

First Class Package Service will see an average rate increase of 6.5%, ranging from 2.8% to 9.75%, depending on the mailpiece weight and zone. Overall rates for Parcel Select Ground will increase by 1.3%. However, many low weight packages will actually see a shipping rate decline. Media Mail rates will increase by 3.57%.

In addition, the USPS will introduce a $100 surcharge for oversize/overweight packages exceeding the maximum dimensional size limit (length + girth = 130 inches) or weight limitation (70 lbs). The surcharge applies to Priority Mail Express, Priority Mail, First Class Package Service and Parcel Select Ground; it is to be paid by the shipper before the package is delivered.

International shipping rates will see a rate increase as well: an average of 3.6% for Priority Mail Express International, an average of 5.1% for Priority Mail International, and an average of 4.8% for First Class Package International Service.

The USPS has also increased the number of country groups for international shipping services: from 17 to 20 country groups for Priority Mail Express International and Priority Mail International, and from 9 to 20 country groups for First Class Package International Service.