USPS to Raise Rates for Some Parcel Services on September 19
An eBay announcement says USPS will raise certain Ground Advantage and Priority Mail rates on September 19, 2026; the shipping calculator will update automatically when the new rates take effect.
What are the key facts?
- 1Certain USPS parcel-service rates will change on September 19, 2026
- 2Some Ground Advantage parcels will increase by $0.10 per piece
- 3Priority Mail Zone 8 parcels will increase by up to approximately $4.35
- 4eBay’s shipping calculator will update automatically when the rates take effect
What happened?
According to an eBay seller announcement, the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) will adjust rates for certain parcel services on September 19, 2026, covering most non-remote ZIP Codes within the United States. For Ground Advantage, parcels weighing 0–2 pounds shipped to Zones 1–8 will increase by $0.10 per piece, while parcels weighing 3–5 pounds will increase by approximately $0.27–$2.28. For Priority Mail, parcels weighing up to 10 pounds shipped to Zone 8 will increase by approximately $0.73–$4.35, and Flat Rate packages will increase uniformly by $0.30. eBay said its shipping calculator will update automatically when the rates take effect. Sellers most affected include those that rely on USPS, sell low-priced small and lightweight goods, and offer free shipping in the United States or through cross-border channels. Sellers can review shipping templates, free-shipping thresholds, promotional margins, and eBay International Shipping forwarding costs.
What does this mean for cross-border sellers?
Starting September 19, 2026, rates for certain USPS Ground Advantage, Priority Mail, and Flat Rate services will increase, raising fulfillment costs for low-priced, lightweight-item listings that rely on USPS and offer free shipping. Although eBay’s shipping calculator will update automatically, sellers should recheck shipping templates, free-shipping thresholds, promotional margins, and eBay International Shipping forwarding costs.
What should sellers do now?
- 1This week, recalculate the margins of U.S. domestic and cross-border small-item listings that rely on USPS using a profit calculator. Enter the new Ground Advantage, Priority Mail, and Flat Rate charges separately and create a review sheet for free-shipping and promotional margins.Profit calculator
- 2This week, review shipping templates and free-shipping thresholds by grouping shipments into 0–2 pounds, 3–5 pounds, and Priority Mail Zone 8. Focus on eBay International Shipping forwarding costs, create a list of affected listings, and mark the items requiring changes.