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Rates on many other postal service products have increased temporarily in anticipation of an extremely busy holiday season, authorities said.
The seasonal temporary rate increases began earlier this month and will be in effect through 10 p.m. Dec. 25.
“These temporary rates will keep the Postal Service competitive while providing the agency with the revenue to cover extra costs in anticipation of peak season volume surges similar to levels experienced in 2020,” according to the statement.
Services seeing the short-term rate hikes include Priority Mail Express, Priority Mail, First-Class Package Service, Parcel Select, USPS Retail Ground and Parcel Return Service, while iInternational offerings will not be affected, officials said.
A postage price calculator can be accessed online at postcalc.usps.com/?_gl=1*ou86gu*_ga*MTU5NDk4MjU5LjE2MzQxNTQxMTE.*_ga_3NXP3C8S9V*MTYzNDE1NDExMC4xLjEuMTYzNDE1NDE1MC4w.
The temporary price increases are part of the ‘Delivering for America’ 10-year plan for the USPS to become financially sustainable, and “which calls for appropriate pricing initiatives,” the statement said. “Even with the temporary increase, the Postal Service has some of the lowest mail postage rates in the industrialized world and continues to offer great values in shipping.”
The price of a U.S. Postal Service First-Class Forever stamp was raised from 55 cents to 58 cents last month, according to the USPS.
The USPS also urged customers to send holiday packages early to ensure they reach their destinations on time.
An outline of holiday shipping deadlines can be found online at usps.com/holiday/holiday-shipping-dates.htm.
“It’s expected that customer traffic at all Post Office locations will steadily increase beginning the week of Dec. 6, with the week of Dec. 13-18 anticipated to be the busiest mailing, shipping and delivery week of the season,” according to the statement.
The agency reminded the public that many services are offered online at usps.com.