The United States Postal Service (USPS®) updates its rates at least once a year, and sometimes more frequently. At ShipStation, we’re committed to keeping you informed and providing support every step of the way during these changes.

The good news? We offer best-in-class discounted rates across USPS shipping services, along with other carrier options you know and trust. Even as rate changes occur, you can count on us to help you access significant savings and maximize the value of your shipping budget.

What is a rate change?

Rate changes are regular updates to shipping prices made by carriers. These adjustments happen for various reasons, including changes in fuel costs, inflation, or operational upgrades. They help carriers stay competitive and maintain financial stability. These updates are commonly known as rate changes or rate adjustments.

October 2025 Rate Changes

Starting Sunday, October 5, 2025, the U.S. Postal Service will introduce holiday shipping rate changes ahead of peak season. These updates help cover extra handling costs and ensure reliable delivery, affecting Priority Mail®, Priority Mail Express®, and USPS Ground Advantage™ for Retail, Commercial, and rates on ShipStation.

Here’s a breakdown of the key updates:

USPS Rate Changes on ShipStation

The USPS price changes for ShipStation customers will begin on October 5, 2025, with no end date shared at this time. Even with these price changes, ShipStation customers continue to save—up to 87% off retail rates due to our partnership with USPS. See the breakdown below to learn how these updates impact your shipping costs.

  • Ground Advantage™: Overall, rates will increase by about 4.6%, with most increases seen for packages under a pound. You will enjoy savings of up to $4.43 and discounts of up to 18.7% off Commercial Rates for packages over a pound.
  • Ground Advantage™ Cubic: Prices will increase about 5.2% on average, and you will access savings of up to $2.55 and discounts of up to 14.1% off Commercial Rates.
  • Priority Mail®: This service had the largest increase by about 3.5%, with savings of up to $4.71 and discounts of up to 16.5% off Commercial Rates.
  • Priority Mail® Flats Rate: Rates increased by about 6.6%, with savings of up to $2.80 in some areas and discounts of up to 12.5% off Commercial Rates.
  • Priority Mail® Cubic: Rates increased by about 4.9%, offering savings of up to $2.33 and discounts of up to 13.0% off Commercial Rates.

Retail and Commercial Price Changes

Between October 5, 2025, and January 18, 2026, USPS will apply temporary peak-season rate increases, affecting Retail and Commercial Shipping Rates. 

Domestic Shipping Service Price Changes (Approximate Increases):

  • Priority Mail®: 5.6% increase
  • USPS Ground Advantage™: 5.2% increase
  • Parcel Select®: 5.6% increase
  • Priority Mail Express®: 4.6% 
  • Priority Mail Express® Flat Rates: 6.3% 

Other updates:

What Does This Mean for You?

Navigating frequent carrier rate changes can be challenging, but we’re here to make it easier. Our software provides tools and resources to help you stay on top of these updates while optimizing your shipping operations.

Here’s How We Help:

  • Providing Resources: We’ll update this blog with USPS changes, so be sure to bookmark it for easy access.
  • Offer Discounted Rates: Enjoy savings on USPS shipping, thanks to our partnership.
  • Keep You Informed About the Industry: We’ll keep you updated on the ever-changing landscape of carriers, including topics like rate changes, demand surcharges, dynamic pricing, and other industry shifts.
  • Streamline Your Fulfillment Process: From printing shipping labels to tools that help you make the best carrier decision for your business, we help simplify every step.

By partnering with ShipStation, you can make informed decisions, avoid surprises, and maintain smooth shipping operations even as carrier rates evolve.

For more information, check out our Help Center. Stay ahead of the game and navigate the USPS rate changes with confidence!

July 2025 Rate Changes

USPS is set to implement rate changes on July 13, 2025, which could impact your shipping costs. Bookmark this blog to stay up to date with USPS rate changes.

Here’s a breakdown of the key updates:

USPS Rate Changes on ShipStation

See how these changes will impact the discounts we offer ShipStation customers on USPS rates below. 

Even with these changes, you’ll still access lower shipping rates than standard USPS Commercial Rates, and continue to see savings of up to 87% when you ship USPS through ShipStation.

  • Ground Advantage™: Overall, rates will increase by about 1.9%, with most increases seen for packages under a pound. You will enjoy savings of up to $4.43 and discounts of up to 15.3% off Commercial Rates for packages over a pound.
  • Ground Advantage™ Cubic: Prices will not change at this time and you will access savings of up to $1.69 and discounts of up to 20.5% off Commercial Rates.
  • Priority Mail®: This service had the largest increase by about 10.8%, with savings of up to $4.71 and discounts of up to 13.5% off Commercial Rates.
  • Priority Mail® Flats Rate: Rates increased by about 5.8%, with savings of up to $2.80 in some areas and discounts of up to 13.4% off Commercial Rates.
  • Priority Mail® Cubic: Rates increased by about 7.0%, offering savings of up to $2.33 and discounts of up to 13.5% off Commercial Rates. 

Retail and Commercial Price Changes

Effective July 13, 2025, USPS is adjusting both its Retail and Commercial Shipping Rates, as well as prices for various mailing services.

  • Domestic Shipping Service Price Changes (Approximate Increases):
    • Priority Mail®: 6.3% increase
    • USPS Ground Advantage™: 7.1% increase
    • Parcel Select®: 7.6% increase
    • Priority Mail Express® service will remain unchanged.

New Nonstandard Fee for Package Characteristics

Starting July 13, 2025, USPS will now charge the Nonstandard Fee based not only on size and weight, but also on specific package characteristics, including:

  • Cylindrical tubes or rolls.
  • A can, a wooden, or a metal box.
  • A parcel containing more than 24 ounces of liquid in glass containers, or 1 gallon or more of liquid in metal or plastic containers.
  • Other (e.g., parcels prepared with contents that may cause the parcel to roll or not maintain the integrity of the packaging during processing)

This fee applies to all USPS package services, just as the existing nonstandard fee does. For Priority Mail and Ground Advantage, this package surcharge will be $4.00.

Learn more about this new fee on Page 11 and view Page 17 for an image demonstrating the dimensional weight and the four types of nonstandard fees.

January 2025 rate changes

Starting January 19, 2025, USPS implemented adjustments to shipping rates. Here’s a summary of the key changes that took effect:

Peak Demand Surcharges Are Ending

The USPS peak demand surcharges that started on October 6, 2024, to help manage the holiday shipping rush will end on January 19, 2025. Once they end, shipping prices will go back to “normal,” meaning the seasonal surcharges will no longer be added.

USPS Rate Changes

USPS implemented service rate changes on January 19, 2025. See how these changes will impact your USPS shipping rates on ShipStation compared to Commercial Rates:

  • Ground Advantage™: Overall, rates decreased by about 0.5%, with savings of up to $3.03 and discounts of up to 21.3% off Commercial Rates. However, some packages under one pound saw a slight increase of about 1.3%.
  • Ground Advantage™ Cubic: Prices dropped by about 1.2%, offering savings of up to $1.69 and discounts of up to 20.5% off Commercial Rates.
  • Priority Mail®: This service had the largest decrease, down about 5.7%, with some rates decreasing as much as $10.50 and discounts of up to 24.6% off Commercial Rates.
  • Priority Mail® Flats Rate: Rates decreased by about 1.7%, with savings of up to $1.30 in some areas and discounts of up to 5.4% off Commercial Rates.
  • Priority Mail Cubic®: Prices went down by about 3.4%, offering savings of up to $4.88 in some areas and discounts of up to 19.1% off Commercial Rates.

USPS Rural ZIP Code Changes 

In September 2024, USPS designated a specific list of rural ZIP Codes. The updated list now reflects 12 fewer rural ZIP Codes than before, with some being removed and others added. If you’d like to check if a particular ZIP Code is impacted by this change, please reach out to our support team for assistance.

Retail and Commercial Price Changes

USPS announced updates to Retail and Commercial shipping rates, set to take effect on January 19, 2025. 

Maria Fagerland
Maria Fagerland

Maria is a multifaceted writer and editor who is passionate about creating content that helps businesses succeed. When she's not writing, Maria can often be found in her garden tending to her plants.

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