North Texas residents and small businesses that rely on the U.S. Postal Service to ship packages are about to pay more — the first fuel surcharge in the agency's 250-year history, triggered by fuel price spikes linked to the Iran conflict.
USPS filed notice Wednesday with the Postal Regulatory Commission seeking an 8% price increase on its competitive package products, pending the PRC's approval. The surcharge would take effect at midnight Central Time on April 26 and remain in place through midnight Central Time on January 17, 2027.
For D-FW residents and businesses, that means higher costs at the counter or online for the most commonly used shipping options. The services affected are Priority Mail Express, Priority Mail, USPS Ground Advantage and Parcel Select. No other products or services would be impacted — including first-class stamps, which currently cost 78 cents.
Oil prices have jumped more than 40% since February 28, when the U.S. and Israel attacked Iran — a conflict that has disrupted the global flow of oil from the Middle East. FedEx and UPS have long imposed fuel surcharges on deliveries, and those surcharges have also risen sharply since the conflict began.
The average U.S. gas price is nearing $4 a gallon, up more than $1 from a month ago. Diesel — a key driver of package delivery costs — has jumped even more sharply, averaging $5.37 a gallon, up from $3.75 a month ago.
USPS framed the surcharge as both a response to the current crisis and a step toward longer-term reform. The agency described the increase as "a necessary bridge to a permanent mechanism to reflect market conditions" and said the change is consistent with industry practice. USPS noted that even with the 8% surcharge, its rates remain less than one-third of what competitors charge for fuel surcharges alone.
The timing matters for D-FW small business owners who depend on USPS as their most affordable shipping option. The 8% increase is separate from the regular rate increases USPS typically implements two to three times per year, meaning shippers should expect a likely additional increase in July.
The financial pressure extends beyond fuel. USPS has lost more than $100 billion since 2007, including a $9 billion loss in 2025. Postmaster General David Steiner recently warned Congress the agency could exhaust its cash reserves within 12 months without significant reform.
The Governors of the Postal Service approved the price change on March 24. The PRC will complete its review before the April 26 effective date.
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USPS filed notice Wednesday with the Postal Regulatory Commission seeking an 8% price increase on its competitive package products
