2026 USPS Postage Rate Changes: What to Know
USPS postage rates change in 2026. Learn what Delmarva businesses need to know about new rates for Marketing Mail, First-Class, and EDDM.
The United States Postal Service has proposed new postage rates scheduled to take effect on July 12, 2026 . The rates were submitted to the Postal Regulatory Commission on April 15, 2026 (Notice 123) and are pending final approval. While the increases are not dramatic — most fall in the 4–7% range — they add up quickly at volume. Here is a plain-English breakdown of what is changing and what you can do about it before the new rates kick in. The Headline Numbers The four rates most Delmarva businesses care about: Mail Type July 2025 July 2026 (Proposed) Change First-Class Letter — Retail Stamp (1 oz) $0.78 $0.82 +$0.04 (+5.1%) First-Class Letter — Metered (1 oz) $0.74 $0.78 +$0.04 (+5.4%) First-Class Postcard — Retail $0.61 $0.65 +$0.04 (+6.6%) EDDM Retail (Saturation Flat) $0.247 $0.260 +$0.013 (+5.3%) For businesses mailing at commercial automation rates — which is what you get when you work with a USPS Full-Service Certified mail house like Mail Movers — the increases are similar in percentage but the base rates are substantially lower. A First-Class 5-Digit Automation letter goes from $0.593 to $0.621. That is still $0.199 less per piece than the retail stamp rate. Marketing Mail Rates Are Also Going Up Marketing Mail (formerly Standard Mail) is the workhorse class for bulk advertising, catalogs, and promotional pieces. The key commercial letter rates at None entry point: Carrier Route Saturation: $0.244 → $0.255 (+4.5%) 5-Digit Automation: $0.372 → $0.395 (+6.2%) AADC Aut
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