USPS, UPS Add Holiday Surcharges for Deliveries

The United States Postal Service filed notice with the Postal Regulatory Commission (PRC) earlier this week of a temporary price change to take effect Oct. 18, 2020.

The planned temporary price adjustments “are in response to increased expenses and heightened demand for online shopping package volume due to the coronavirus pandemic and expected holiday ecommerce,” said the announcement. The price increase is on all commercial domestic competitive package volume from Oct. 18 until Dec. 27, 2020. Retail prices and international products will be unaffected.

The planned prices were approved by the Governors of the Postal Service on August 6, would raise prices on Priority Mail Express, Priority Mail, First-Class Package Service, Parcel Select and Parcel Return Service. The price increases range from 24 cents on Parcel services up to $1.50 on Priority Mail Express Commercial.

UPS has already announced its holiday surcharges, while FedEx is reportedly still determining its fees, forcing etailers to face increased expenses if they use any of the major services.

The shipping increases, it would seem, could further push retailers to consider and expand BOPIS and other in-store pick-up options.