USPS Reveals Proposed Peak Season Surcharges for 2022 To Start on October 2

USPS filed notice today with the Postal Regulatory Commission (PRC) regarding its planned temporary price adjustment for key package products for the 2022 peak holiday season.

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The temporary rate adjustment is similar to those in past years which helps cover extra handling costs during peak seasons.

On August 9th, the Governors of the Postal Service approved peak-season pricing for the following commercial and retail domestic competitive parcels:

• Priority Mail Express (PME)
• Priority Mail (PM)
• First-Class Package Service (FCPS)
• Parcel Select and USPS Retail Ground.

International products would be unaffected.

If the proposed peak season surcharges are approved by the PRC, the temporary rates would go into effect at 12 am Central Time (CT) on October 2, 2022 and remain in place until 12 am CT on January 22, 2023.

USPS said this seasonal adjustment will bring prices for the Postal Service’s commercial and retail customers in line with competitive industry practices. No structural changes are planned as part of this limited pricing initiative.

The planned price changes include:

USPS Priority Mail and Priority Mail Express

• Commercial:
  • $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.
• Retail:
  • $0.95 increase for PM and PME Flat Rate Boxes and Envelopes.
  • $0.30 increase for Zones 1-4, 0-10 lbs.
  • $1.00 increase for Zones 5-9, 0-10 lbs.
  • $0.95 increase for Zones 1-4, 11-25 lbs.
  • $3.20 increase for Zones 5-9, 11-25 lbs.
  • $3.25 increase for Zones 1-4, 26-70 lbs.
  • $6.45 increase for Zones 5-9, 26-70 lbs.

USPS First-Class Package Service, Parcel Select Ground, and Retail Ground

• Commercial:
  • $0.25 increase for Zones 1-4, 0-10 lbs.
  • $0.40 increase for Zones 5-9, 0-10 lbs.
  • $0.75 increase for Zones 1-4, 11-25 lbs.
  • $1.60 increase for Zones 5-9, 11-25 lbs.
  • $3.00 increase for Zones 1-4, 26-70 lbs.
  • $5.50 increase for Zones 5-9, 26-70 lbs.
• Retail:
  • $0.30 increase for Zones 1-4, 0-10 lbs.
  • $0.60 increase for Zones 5-9, 0-10 lbs.
  • $0.95 increase for Zones 1-4, 11-25 lbs.
  • $2.70 increase for Zones 5-9, 11-25 lbs.
  • $3.25 increase for Zones 1-4, 26-70 lbs.
  • $5.85 increase for Zones 5-9, 26-70 lbs.

USPS Additional Services

• Parcel Select Destination Delivery Unit (DDU), Currently starts at $3.50, planned increase 25 cents
• Parcel Select DSCF, Currently starts at $3.77, planned increase 75 cents
• Parcel Select DNDC, Currently starts at $4.84, planned increase 75 cents
• USPS Connect Local, Currently starts at $3.95, No planned change
• Parcel Select Lightweight (DDU), Currently starts at $2.32, No planned change
• Parcel Select Lightweight, (DSCF and DNDC), Currently starts at $2.72, No planned change
• Parcel Return Service, Currently starts at $3.37, No planned change

The full USPS Commercial and retail pricing information is available at the Postal Service’s Postal Explorer website here.

These temporary peak season surcharges are still subject to review by the PRC. USPS plans to request new rate hikes starting in January.