USPS seeks 11% package fuel surcharge but no first-class stamp increase

The U.S. Postal Service is seeking Postal Regulatory Commission approval to raise its temporary fuel surcharge on domestic Priority Mail and package deliveries from 8% to 11% in January, citing higher transportation costs. USPS said fuel-related transportation expenses rose by $225 million in the year ended Sept. 30; the proposed surcharge would not apply to First-Class stamps, which the agency does not plan to raise in January. The request comes as USPS reported a $6.5 billion annual loss, despite revenue rising to $82.9 billion, and asked Congress for $2 billion in support and reimbursements. Broader trends underscore the agency’s financial strain: revenue has grown while mail and parcel volumes have declined, with higher average revenue per item partly offsetting those drops.