USPS Holiday Surcharges

I think the post office holiday surcharges took effect at the beginning of October, but the first two packages I mailed were sent within my state and cost the same. However, today my package to California (Zone 7) was 75 cents higher than usual, putting me over the msc's reimbursement limit.

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In my areas, so far, mine has increased by 25 cents.

Shopping Arkansas, Louisiana, & Mississippi.

I have been an active e-Bay seller for 18 years. The first class rate did indeed increase this month, but as I was able to shift to media mail, I am ignorant as to the amount. Six years ago, I paid $1.98 to ship 3 oz. across the US. What a difference a few years make,

I know the effects took place this month for sure. I have a nephew in a rehab facility in Calif, and I live in SC. On occasion, I use a PO shop to send him a "care" pkg, always weighing less than 2 lbs. On previous shops, I always paid a little over reimbursement, at $14.75, but since it was to my nephew, I figure it's worth it. Last week.........the cost for Priority shipping was $16.95!!! PHEW!! I still sent it bc I love my nephew, even though it ate into my profit.
On the other hand, I sent my son, who lives one state over in NC, a box this week, with the weight the same as I always send him, and the cost was 25 cents higher....right around $8.80, where it was $8.55 before. And I sent my sister in Mass. a pkg that was $11.85, which was a couple of bucks higher than last time, but at least still under reimbursement. So I reckon maybe it jumps up a lot higher for zones further out from the PO of origin??? I have no clue.

The rate went up as of Oct 3. I sent my two last packages at the previous rate on Oct 1. The clerks in my post office told me the rate went up in August. They had no idea there was going to be a package increase the next day the post office was open. You can see the rate differences on the post office website. On another note, I did two more shops today and the form was quite different than it was Oct 1. There was at least one question I was not ready for and several others no longer asked. I was disappointed at the missing questions as I had made a point of jotting down what was wrong and then they did not even ask about it.

The rate increase runs through Dec. 26, then rates go back down.

I've been a postal customer for going on 60 years now. And this is the FIRST time I've ever heard of seasonal surcharges. This must have something to do with DeJoy and his ruination of the USPS.

Correct.

@Morledzep wrote:

I've been a postal customer for going on 60 years now. And this is the FIRST time I've ever heard of seasonal surcharges. This must have something to do with DeJoy and his ruination of the USPS.

Shopping Southeast Pennsylvania, Delaware above the canal, and South Jersey since 2008

I'm not holding my breath waiting for the "surcharges" to be removed after the holidays, either.

@guysmom wrote:

I'm not holding my breath waiting for the "surcharges" to be removed after the holidays, either.

The post office always raises rates in January anyway.

@Morledzep wrote:

I've been a postal customer for going on 60 years now. And this is the FIRST time I've ever heard of seasonal surcharges. This must have something to do with DeJoy and his ruination of the USPS.

They had a holiday rate increase in 2020, which went from Oct. to Dec. then they ended those rates, then in the middle of January 2021 they raised rates again.

@sueac101 wrote:

They had a holiday rate increase in 2020, which went from Oct. to Dec. then they ended those rates, then in the middle of January 2021 they raised rates again.

There was an increase last year, that I took in stride, but I never even thought that it was a seasonal surcharge. I had Covid early this year (after my first shot and before my second) and didn't actually do any shops again until around May or June. I was paying $8.55 in September and the shops I signed up for in October I was charged $8.80. But when I asked about the increase at the PO they said it was an increase, not a surcharge.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 10/18/2021 01:15AM by Morledzep.

I do not remember a holiday surcharge last year but last year I just was hoping there would be a clerk at my local post office. I took three jobs at the same large post office during the pandemic and each time there was no service whatsoever when I arrived. A major post office in a major city and no clerks on duty! Twice I waited on line an hour for the one clerk to get back from lunch break. I will be very surprised if the rates go down again in Jan. I just hope the reimbursement will go up in Jan so I can send to my zone 8 son again.

once anyone has your money and you become accustomed to the fee, I've never seen it go back down.

Is it me? Where'd all the shops go?? I went on line late last nite to see which sites were left to shop and "POOF" there are none there. What?

You have to click on open opportunities on the top tab and then the shops show up like they used to. For some reason the open opportunities link on the left side of the page is not working.

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USPS Holiday Surcharges

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