The U.S. Postal Service has temporarily raised prices on some package deliveries for the holiday season, affecting Priority Mail, Ground Advantage, and Parcel Select shipments from October 4th through mid-January. USPS says the adjustment covers the extra handling that comes with peak season volume. Shipping expert Joseph DiSorbo, founder of SHIP.com, points to diesel costs and the agency’s broader financial pressure as the drivers behind the increase.
For small online sellers around the Suncoast, that means a tighter margin during the busiest stretch of the year. DiSorbo says retailers may absorb some of the cost in the short term, but the expense could ultimately get passed along to consumers. “I think ultimately it gets passed on to the end user consumer,” he said. His advice for sellers is to contact shipping partners now, before the holiday crunch sets in.
For shoppers, the takeaway is mostly about timing. DiSorbo suggests waiting until after Thanksgiving to place big orders, when sales and shipping costs tend to line up better. If you’re mailing gifts to family out of state, building in a little extra room in the budget and shipping early can save headaches. How are the new rates changing your holiday plans? Let us know in the comments.
