The U.S. Postal Service said Wednesday it is seeking to impose a temporary 8 percent fuel surcharge on packages and express mail in response to rising transportation costs, including higher gas prices due to the conflict in Iran. The USPS announced on its website that if approved by the Postal Regulatory Commission, the surcharge will take effect on April 26 and last until January 17, 2027.
The 8% surcharge will apply to postage rates for mail services such as Priority Mail Express, Priority Mail, USPS Ground Advantage and Parcel Select. Regular mail and other mail services are not affected.
Oil prices have risen more than 40% since the United States and Israel attacked Iran on February 28.
Two major package delivery companies, FedEx and UPS, have imposed fuel surcharges on package deliveries for years. Those surcharges have risen sharply since the U.S. and Israel attacked Iran on February 28.
"This temporary price adjustment will provide the Postal Service with necessary flexibility to help ensure actual operating costs are covered, consistent with Congressional requirements," the Postal Service said in the announcement.
"Transportation costs have been rising, and our competitors have also adopted surcharge measures. We have always insisted on not charging a surcharge, and the fee is less than one-third of our competitors' fuel surcharges, so even with this adjustment, the USPS is still able to provide extremely valuable transportation services at rates that are among the lowest in the developed world."