The 8% USPS fee can impact small businesses and shoppers alike

Parcels are shipped via United States Postal Service. the USPS said Wednesday It will implement a temporary 8% surcharge starting in April to “better align transportation costs with the market.” Like everyone else, he faces the post office High fuel costs Due to the ongoing unrest in the Middle East.

The proposed increase would affect Priority Mail Express, Priority Mail, USPS Ground Advantage and Parcel Select, but not first-class stamps and other products and services.

If the Postal Regulatory Commission approves this action, the price change will begin on April 26 at midnight Central Time and end on January 17, 2027 at midnight Central Time. At that time, USPS will evaluate whether the additional charges will continue.

Last week, Postmaster General David Steiner told Congress about it USPS will run out of money By next February. He asked Congress to deregulate so that the Postal Service could raise prices for products and services.

The Postal Service has been financially underwater for nearly two decades. The Government Accountability Office added the agency to its website High risk list In 2009. Since 2007, it has incurred financial losses of more than $100 billion.

These losses are largely due to the company’s mandate to deliver more than 170 million addresses within a six-day business week. according to The Wall Street Journalwhich originally broke this story, said the mandate led to “71% of delivery routes being financially bankrupt.” This math roughly translates to three out of five post offices being unable to cover their operating costs.

Shipping competitors, such as FedEx and United Parcel Service, have charged fuel surcharges for years. Due to the ongoing oil crisis and high gas prices, they have increased these fees in recent weeks.