The United States Postal Service (USPS) announced that starting on January 17, 2027, it plans to implement new shipping rates, with average increases of 5.9% for domestic shipments and 7.9% for international shipments, along with an 11% fuel surcharge on certain services.
The measure could affect individuals and businesses in Miami and South Florida that use federal mail to send packages and documents abroad.
CBS News reported that the USPS Board of Governors approved a proposal to make the temporary 8% fuel surcharge introduced by the agency in April 2026 permanent, to which an additional three percentage points will be added, bringing it to a total of 11%.
The changes are pending review by the Postal Regulatory Commission (PRC). This surcharge will not apply, for now, to international products.
International shipments are experiencing the highest average rate increase: they will rise by 7.9% and include Priority Mail Express International, Priority Mail International, First-Class Package International Service, and International Priority Airmail services.
Domestic services —Priority Mail, Priority Mail Express, USPS Ground Advantage, and Parcel Select— will have a lower average increase of 5.9%.
An important note for those who only purchase stamps: the standard First-Class Mail letter stamp, which currently costs $0.82, is not included in this increase.
The agency justified the measure due to the significant increase in diesel prices. The national average price per gallon rose from $3.76 a year ago to $6.10 on Thursday, November 12, according to the American Automobile Association (AAA), a year-on-year increase of 62% associated with the conflict in Iran and the global rise in oil prices.
"The governors of the USPS believe that these new rates will keep the Postal Service in a competitive position and provide it with the much-needed revenue while it continues to deal with its financial issues," stated the agency in its official statement.
The financial context of the USPS is delicate. The agency reported a net loss of 6.5 billion dollars in fiscal year 2026, although it improved compared to the 9 billion lost the previous year. Its operating revenue reached 82.9 billion dollars, a 3% increase from the previous year.
For the Cuban American community, the most direct impact may come through international channels. Those who send packages or documents to relatives in Spain, Mexico, or other Latin American countries via USPS will see the new prices reflected in the affected services if the rates take effect as scheduled.
Small e-commerce businesses that use these services may also notice an increase in their operating costs.
The USPS has suspended direct shipments to Cuba since January 30, 2026, due to a lack of available transportation, which has led those sending packages to the island to turn to private shipping agencies, such as those in Hialeah.
The new USPS rates do not directly apply to those private services, although the rise in fuel prices may also put pressure on their operating costs.
The agency will review the 11% surcharge in July 2027 based on fuel prices during the first half of the year, leaving the possibility of new adjustments open.
Those planning international shipments may consider making them before January 17, 2027, to avoid the proposed new tariffs, provided that they come into effect as scheduled.
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