The United States Postal Service (USPS) is entering 2026 with a series of changes affecting shipping rates, stamp designs, and service delivery, as part of a broader plan to modernize its network and improve operational efficiency. These updates come amid ongoing market challenges and rising competition in the shipping and logistics sector, according to Newsweek.
Starting January 18, 2026, USPS will implement shipping rate increases after submitting notices to the Postal Regulatory Commission in November 2025 and obtaining approval. Priority Mail rates will rise by approximately 6.6%, Priority Mail Express by 5.1%, USPS Ground Advantage by 7.8%, and Parcel Select by around 6%. Regular mail rates, including first-class postage, will remain unchanged at $0.78, as they are adjusted differently and not solely tied to inflation.
Stamps, Technology, and Service Expansion
USPS also revealed its 2026 stamp designs, highlighting space exploration themes. Priority Mail and Priority Mail Express stamps will feature images from NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope, including the Crab Nebula and two interacting galaxies tens of millions of light-years away. These releases are part of a larger series celebrating USPS’s 250th anniversary, honoring cultural and historical figures, and showcasing diverse artistic themes.
In addition, USPS continues to enhance customer experience at post offices. Expanded use of 24-hour smart lockers and self-service kiosks allows customers to weigh parcels, purchase supplies, and print labels without waiting. Digital services, including mobile apps, electronic tracking, and in-office guidance, have also seen significant expansion.
USPS confirmed that these updates will continue throughout 2026, with plans to expand government-related services such as passport processing and identity verification, further solidifying post offices as comprehensive service hubs for American citizens.