What Marketers Need to Know About USPS Pricing Changes in 2026

If your marketing plan includes direct mail, here’s some welcome news: the United States Postal Service (USPS) has confirmed that Mailing Services prices will remain stable in early 2026.

While some shipping and parcel services are expected to rise by roughly 6 to 8 percent, USPS stated that there will be no increase for First-Class Mail, Marketing Mail, or Nonprofit mailers in January 2026. For marketing teams managing print and mail campaigns, that’s a rare opportunity to plan with confidence.

USPS 2026: What’s Changing — and What’s Not

The USPS filed proposed rate adjustments with the Postal Regulatory Commission in late 2025. These adjustments primarily affect Shipping Services such as Priority Mail, Priority Mail Express, and Ground Advantage.

Here’s the breakdown:

• Shipping and Parcel Services: Proposed increases of approximately 6–8 percent.

• Mailing Services (Letters, Flats, Marketing Mail, Nonprofit Mail): No increase in January 2026.

This pause applies specifically to Mailing Services, meaning the cost of a First-Class Mail Forever stamp will remain at $0.78, matching the July 2025 increase.

It’s not a permanent freeze — USPS pricing reviews occur twice a year — but it gives marketers and agencies a short-term window of cost stability.

Why This Matters for Marketers

For marketing teams, this update provides predictability in an environment where postage rates have risen steadily for several years.

Here’s why it’s important:

• Budget Planning: Direct mail costs are heavily influenced by postage. Knowing rates will hold steady through early 2026 allows marketers to forecast campaigns with accuracy.

• Campaign Scheduling: If you’re planning major direct mail pushes — such as product launches, seasonal offers, or election-year campaigns — early 2026 could be a smart time to deploy.

• ROI Confidence: Stable postage means you can focus on creative strategy and targeting instead of unexpected rate adjustments.

With most brands expecting annual increases of 5–9%, even a six-month freeze is valuable breathing room for campaign budgeting.

Preparing for the Next Wave of Increases

Although USPS is holding rates steady for now, it’s wise to assume that mid-2026 or January 2027 could bring another increase. The Postal Service continues to adjust pricing twice per year to meet inflation and revenue targets.

Marketers can use this pause to:

• Lock in budgets and negotiate mailing or fulfillment contracts early.

• Optimize mail design to meet automation and compliance standards (avoiding surcharges later).

• Take advantage of USPS promotions such as the Informed Delivery or Sustainability Add-On incentives, which reduce postage costs by 1–10%.

• Test new formats and personalization strategies while costs are stable — so you’re ready to scale efficiently when rates rise again.

Key Takeaway

USPS’s decision to maintain current Mailing Service rates through early 2026 gives marketers a valuable planning window.

It’s the perfect time to refine your direct mail strategy, run creative tests, and coordinate campaigns that make the most of today’s postage pricing.

Because while rates may hold steady for now, the smartest marketers are already preparing for what comes next — with stronger creative, cleaner data, and efficient print partnerships.