USPS seeks a temporary 8% charge on Priority Mail and other products to offset transportation costs

WASHINGTON -- The U.S. Postal Service is seeking a impermanent 8% complaint connected definite fashionable products, including Priority Mail, to assistance blunt the interaction of rising proscription costs.

USPS filed announcement connected Wednesday with the Postal Regulatory Commission seeking the terms increase, which would instrumentality effect connected April 26 and stay successful spot until Jan. 17, 2027, pending last approval.

"This impermanent terms accommodation volition supply needed flexibility for the Postal Service by helping to guarantee that the existent costs of doing concern are covered, arsenic required by Congress," the bureau said successful a quality release, noting that its competitors person reacted to rising substance prices with "a fig of surcharges."

"We person steadfastly avoided surcharges and this complaint is little than one-third of what our competitors complaint for substance alone," the bureau said successful a statement. If approved, the terms summation would impact Priority Mail Express, Priority Mail, USPS Ground Advantage, and Parcel Select. No different products oregon services would beryllium affected, including First-Class Stamps, the bureau said.

The announcement comes arsenic Postmaster General David Steiner has warned Congress that the Postal Service, which has seen missive volumes plummet, volition tally retired of currency wrong a twelvemonth unless lawmakers assistance a decades-old headdress and let the autarkic bureau to get much money. Steiner favors different reforms arsenic well, including the authorization to rise postage prices precocious capable to screen losses.