USPS Considers Big 2026 Rate & Regulation Changes To Aid Mailers

WASHINGTON, DC — The USPS is considering significant changes in its rates and regulations that could take effect with July 2026 rate hikes.

These changes include: 1) Eliminate ADC Rate Category; 2) Increase Marketing Mail Weights; 3) Restructure Periodicals Outside County Rates; 4) Add SCF Pallet Discounts; 5) Change Eligibility Standards for FC Cards and FC Letters Combined in Mailing; 6) Modify Max Length for Ground Advantage & Soft-Packs; 7) And Adding Two New Promotions.

The changes are detailed in the USPS July 2026 Release Notes.

Mailing Promotions

The Postal Service is considering introducing two new promotions and repeating three promotions and two add-ons from 2026. New promotions under consideration are the Impact Messaging and Direct Mail discovery promotions. Repeat promotions under consideration are Tactile Sensory & Interactive, Integrated Technology, and First-Class Mail Advertising. Add-ons being considered include Informed Delivery and Sustainability.

Eliminate ADC Rate Category From Market Dominant Mail Classes

The Postal Service is considering collapsing ADC/AADC/3-Digit rates for First-Class Mail, USPS Marketing Mail, and Periodicals and replacing the “3-Digit Scheme”, “ADC”, “AADC”, and “SCF” rate labels with “3 Digit”. This may also include eliminating 3-Digit/ADC/AADC mail preparation for First-Class Mail, USPS Marketing Mail, Periodicals, and Bound Printed Matter (or replacing where necessary with an “SCF” sortation level subject to Label List changes). In addition, nomenclature will be updated to label “Mixed ADC”, “Mixed AADC”, and “Mixed NDC” as “Mixed” for First-Class, USPS Marketing Mail, and Periodicals.

Marketing Mail Weight Adjustments and Addition of Heavy Printed Matter

The Postal Service is considering increasing the maximum weight for Marketing Mail automation and non-automation flat-shaped pieces from 16 ounces to 20 ounces and increasing the maximum weight for Carrier Route (CR) flats to 24 ounces. Heavy Printed Matter (HPM) will be introduced for Marketing Mail parcels with a weight limit of 15 pounds for Commercial /Nonprofit non-fulfillment pieces. *HPM flat-sized pieces may weigh up to 24 ounces when combined in CR level bundles on a pallet included in no less than SCF/3D sortation entered at an SCF/LPC. BPM flat-sized pieces must not exceed 20 ounces if prepared in the CR-level bundle with certain Periodicals pieces that may weigh more than 20 ounces.

Restructure Periodicals Outside County Rates

The Postal Service is considering simplifying the Periodicals pricing structure to more closely resemble the USPS Marketing Mail pricing structure. This could include eliminating bundle rates and container rates and introducing SCF Pallet and Delivery Sort container discounts. Piece rates would be adjusted to collapse the barcoded/nonbarcoded rates for Nonmachinable Flats. Nonmachinable Flats will qualify for the Parcels price. ADC Entry will be eliminated.

Add 5D/Direct Container and SCF Pallet Discounts to USPS Marketing Mail Heavy Printed Matter

The Postal Service is considering increasing the weight limit of Marketing Mail Flat shaped pieces to 20 ounces and 24 ounces for Carrier Route Pieces. This would also establish a new marketing mail category for mail pieces with a maximum weight of 15lbs. If approved, this new category would be eligible for 5D and SCF pallet discounts. Non presorted rates would not be eligible for SCF and 5D container discounts.

Change Eligibility Standards for FC Cards and FC Letters Combined in Mailing

Currently First-Class Mail (FCM) cards and FCM letters that are combined in the same mailing are subject to separate minimum presort volume criteria of 500 mailpieces of each mail type (card and letter). The Postal Service is considering allowing any combination of FCM Cards and FCM Letters that total 500 or more pieces to be combined into a mailing and presented for mailing at the presort price. This mail must be presented at the same time and on the same postage statement.

Cubic Measurements – Modify Max Length Ground Advantage & Soft-Packs

The Postal Service is considering modifying the cubic tier measurements for USPS Ground Advantage (GA) soft-packs and padded envelopes to align with Priority Mail (PM) tiers and increasing the maximum allowable length for all cubic from 18 to 22 inches. There are currently 10 cubic tiers for GA soft-packs and padded envelopes, and 5 tiers for PM soft-packs and padded envelopes. This will make the tier measurements the same across both products. Changes may include, but are not limited to the DMM, Notice 123, USPS.com, RSS, PTR, upstream/downstream systems, and reference tables.