Notice2026-09798
Competitive Postal Products
Primary source
Metadata and text below are from the Federal Register, a public-domain U.S. government work. Always verify the official published version before relying on it for any legal matter.
Published
May 15, 2026
Issuing agencies
Postal Regulatory Commission
Abstract
The Commission is recognizing a recently filed Postal Service document with the Commission concerning changes in rates and classifications of general applicability for Competitive products. This notice informs the public of the filing, invites public comment, and takes other administrative steps.
Full Text
<html>
<head>
<title>Federal Register, Volume 91 Issue 94 (Friday, May 15, 2026)</title>
</head>
<body><pre>
[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 94 (Friday, May 15, 2026)]
[Notices]
[Pages 27993-27995]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2026-09798]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
POSTAL REGULATORY COMMISSION
[Docket No. CP2026-8; Order No. 9571]
Competitive Postal Products
AGENCY: Postal Regulatory Commission.
ACTION: Notice.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The Commission is recognizing a recently filed Postal Service
document with the Commission concerning changes in rates and
classifications of general applicability for Competitive products. This
notice informs the public of the filing, invites public comment, and
takes other administrative steps.
DATES: Comments are due: June 5, 2026.
ADDRESSES: Submit comments electronically via the Commission's Filing
Online system at <a href="https://www.prc.gov">https://www.prc.gov</a>. Those who cannot submit comments
electronically should contact the person identified in the FOR FURTHER
INFORMATION CONTACT section by
[[Page 27994]]
telephone for advice on filing alternatives.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: David A. Trissell, General Counsel, at
202-789-6820.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Table of Contents
I. Introduction and Overview
II. Initial Administrative Actions
III. Ordering Paragraphs
I. Introduction and Overview
On May 11, 2026, the Postal Service filed notice with the
Commission concerning changes in rates and classifications of general
applicability for Competitive products.\1\ The Postal Service
represents that, as required by 39 CFR 3035.102(b) and 39 CFR
3035.104(b), the Notice includes an explanation and justification for
the changes, the effective date, and a schedule of the changed rates.
See Notice at 1. The Notice also includes a certification of the vote,
and a redacted copy of Governors' Decision 26-2. Id. The changes are
intended to take effect on July 12, 2026. Id.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ USPS Notice of Changes in Rates and Classifications of
General Applicability for Competitive Products, May 11, 2026
(Notice). Pursuant to 39 U.S.C. 3632(b)(2), the Postal Service is
obligated to publish the Governors' Decision and record of
proceedings in the Federal Register at least 30 days before the
effective date of the new rates.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Attached to the Notice is Governors' Decision No. 26-2, which
states the new prices are in accordance with 39 U.S.C. 3632 and 3633
and 39 CFR 3035.102.\2\ The Governors' Decision provides an analysis of
the Competitive products' price and classification changes intended to
demonstrate that the changes comply with 39 U.S.C. 3633 and 39 CFR part
3035. Governors' Decision No. 26-2 at 1. The attachment to the
Governors' Decision sets forth the classification and price changes and
includes draft Mail Classification Schedule (MCS) language for
Competitive products of general applicability.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\2\ Notice, Decision of the Governors of the United States
Postal Service on Changes in Rates and Classification of General
Applicability for Competitive Products (Governors' Decision No. 26-
2), at 1 (Governors' Decision No. 26-2).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Notice also includes an application for non-public treatment of
the FY 2027 projected volumes, revenues, attributable costs,
contribution, and cost coverage data for each product in the unredacted
version of the annex to the Governors' Decision, as well as supporting
forecast data and price adjustment calculations for each affected
product. Notice at 1.
Planned rate and classification changes. The Governors' Decision
includes an overview of the Postal Service's planned price changes
which are summarized in the table below.
Table I-1--Proposed Price Changes
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Average price
Product name increase
(percent)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Domestic Competitive Products
------------------------------------------------------------------------
USPS Ground Advantage:
Retail............................................ 0
Commercial........................................ 11.8
Alaska Limited Overland Routes.................... 0
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Domestic Extra Services
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Competitive Post Office Box 3.0
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Domestic Business Mailing Fees
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Forward and Return to Sender Parcel Select............ 57.9
Address Correction Service with Shipper Paid 68.8
Forwarding/Returns, Parcel Select....................
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Source: See Governors' Decision No. 26-2 at 2-3.
Further classification changes are summarized as follows:
<bullet> The Postal Service proposes adding a HazMat Handling Fee
for Priority Mail and Priority Mail Express \3\ to cover the additional
costs associated with transporting these items, and a HazMat
Noncompliance Fee that will be applied when it detects a package that
contains HazMat but the customer did not appropriately declare and
label them. The Postal Service proposes a rate of $7.50.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\3\ The Postal Service states that it is proactively including
the structure of a HazMat Handling Fee for Parcel Select and USPS
Ground Advantage in the MCS, but starting it at $0 for July 2026 to
eliminate the need for future systems changes should it decide to
charge a fee for these products.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
<bullet> The Postal Service proposes a classification change to
lower the dimensional divisor involved in the dimensional weight
calculation from 166 to 139 across all domestic Competitive products.
The Postal Service states that this change brings the Postal Service's
dimensional divisor in line with the current industry standard.
<bullet> The Postal Service proposes expanding the definition of
Connect Local, to allow the use of USPS Smart Lockers as a pickup and
drop-off location for customers. The Postal Service states that this
will allow it to explore potential revenue opportunities through the
use of USPS Smart Lockers at the destination delivery unit or
equivalent facility.
<bullet> The Postal Service proposes to introduce Addresses
Application Programming Interface (API) service and pricing under
Address Enhancement Services in July. The Postal Service states that
the proposed Addresses API service will validate and correct address
information to improve package and mail delivery service. The Postal
Service further states that ``[w]hile the Addresses API service is
similar to the existing [Address Matching System] API service, both
offerings will continue for the foreseeable future.''
<bullet> The Postal Service proposes a minor change to the
definition of Package Intercept service so that intercepted packages
will use the original product and rate category chosen by the customer,
rather than being forwarded or returned as Priority Mail.
Notice at 2-5; Attachment to Governors' Decision No. 26-2.
[[Page 27995]]
II. Initial Administrative Actions
The Commission establishes Docket No. CP2026-8 for consideration of
matters raised by the Notice. The Commission invites comments on
whether the Postal Service's filing is consistent with 39 U.S.C. 3632,
3633, and 39 CFR 3035.105 and .107. Comments are due no later than June
5, 2026. The public portions of the filing can be accessed via the
Commission's website (<a href="https://www.prc.gov">https://www.prc.gov</a>).
Pursuant to 39 U.S.C. 505, Christopher Mohr is appointed to serve
as Public Representative to represent the interests of the general
public in this docket. The Public Representative does not represent any
individual person, entity or particular point of view, and, when
Commission attorneys are appointed, no attorney-client relationship is
established.
III. Ordering Paragraphs
It is ordered:
1. The Commission establishes Docket No. CP2026-8 for consideration
of matters raised by the Postal Service's Notice.
2. Pursuant to 39 U.S.C. 505, the Commission appoints Christopher
Mohr to serve as an officer of the Commission (Public Representative)
to represent the interests of the general public in this docket.
3. Comments are due no later than June 5, 2026.
4. This Order shall be published in the Federal Register.
By the Commission.
Sarah Wessel,
Senior Paralegal Specialist.
[FR Doc. 2026-09798 Filed 5-14-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7710-FW-P
</pre></body>
</html>Indexed from Federal Register on May 15, 2026.
This is legal information, not legal advice. Laws vary by jurisdiction and change frequently. Always verify current law with official sources and consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction for advice on your specific situation.