USPS 2022 Holiday Peak Shipping Surcharge
The USPS has announced a peak shipping period surcharge for the 2022 holiday season. The charges will apply to both commercial and retail domestic competitive parcels in the following classes – Priority Mail Express (PME), Priority Mail (PM), First-Class Package Service (FCPS), Parcel Select, and USPS Retail Ground. Rates below Commercial pricing are not impacted. Read more about how ShipStation offers USPS rates below Commercial pricing.
When will the Surcharge Be In Effect?
If approved by the Postal Regulatory Commission, the temporary rate increases would go into effect at 12:00 a.m., Central Time, on Oct. 2, 2022, and remain in place until 12:00 a.m., Central Time, Jan. 22, 2023. International shipments will not be impacted.
Why is This Peak Season Surcharge Being Implemented?
This seasonal adjustment will bring prices for the Postal Service’s commercial and retail customers more in line with competitive practices. No structural changes are planned as part of this limited pricing initiative.
The Postal Service offers some of the lowest mail postage rates available in the industrialized world and these temporary rates will help keep the Postal Service competitive among other parcel couriers. This surcharge will also help provide the USPS with the revenue it needs to prepare for the peak-season volume surges—similar to levels experienced in 2020.
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What are the USPS rate increases?
The forecasted additional revenue from the time-limited increase will depend on the volume of parcels shipped between October to December—the period the Postal Service historically refers to as its holiday peak season.
The planned price changes include:
- $0.75 increase for PM and PME Flat Rate Boxes and Envelopes.
- $0.25 increase for Zones 1-4, 0-10 lbs.
- $0.80 increase for Zones 5-9, 0-10 lbs.
- $0.75 increase for Zones 1-4, 11-25 lbs.
- $2.80 increase for Zones 5-9, 11-25 lbs.
- $3.00 increase for Zones 1-4, 26-70 lbs.
- $6.50 increase for Zones 5-9, 26-70 lbs.
| Product | Current | Planned Increase |
| Parcel Select Destination Delivery Unit (DDU) | Starts at $3.50 | $0.25 |
| Parcel Select DSCF | Starts at $3.77 | $0.75 |
| Parcel Select DNDC | Starts at $4.84 | $0.75 |
| USPS Connect Local | Starts at $3.95 | No change |
| Parcel Select Lightweight (DDU) | Starts at $2.32 | No change |
| Parcel Select Lightweight (DSCF and DNDC) | Starts at $2.72 | No change |
| Parcel Return Service | Starts at $3.37 | No change |
How to Save on Shipping Costs During the Holidays
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