The United States Postal Service said they will need to increase their prices for the holidays.
The USPS is planning to add a surcharge to most packages shipped starting Oct. 3, 2021.
First-class packages start at $4.00, which will increase to $4.30. Priority Mail, Priority Mail Express, Flat Rate Boxes, and Envelopes will increase $0.75. Click herefor a list of fee changes.
These rates would last until December 26, 2021, the peak holiday shipping season. While the post office said it saw an increase in sales in the most recent quarter, the agency is losing money overall. It said price increases are needed to offset those losses.
“I mean I’m not too upset, I understand, like the holidays, everyone is going to be taxing just like because of everything going on with especially with COVID and stuff. I mean I work in retail and it’s the same thing and everything is going up," said customer Nathan Valdez.
“I don’t mind a little bit extra but for the most part I rather support the United States post office than somebody else," said customer Jay Sanchez.
Curt Flowers the owner of Coral Bean Cafe said he shops around for the cheapest price when it comes to shipping to his business.
“We’ve had to change our order sometimes because shipping was too high. So, we had to shop around, not for the actual product price but for the shipment price. So that definitely effects what we do," said Flowers.
FedEx said it's making changes to its peak surcharges and fees will take effect October 4. A statement sent to us from UPSsaid, its peak surcharges reflect current market conditions caused by the pandemic, and are based on customer's package.
According to a report by NBC News, there are some ways you can start saving. The first thing is to start preparing now, do not wait until the last minute. Second, stock up on free shipping trials, and look for shipping coupons from retailers.
The Postal Regulatory Commission still needs to approve the increases before they are scheduled to take effect.
