USPS Submits Handful of Filings at PRC

In recent separate filings, the Postal Service has asked its regulator for a temporary holiday price increase on domestic packages and changes to two international products to align its products with changes to the Universal Postal Union (UPU) Convention.

The peak-season price change, if approved by the Postal Regulatory Commission (PRC), would impact only domestic package services, including Ground Advantage and Priority Mail, from October 4 until January 17, 2027. No international products would be impacted.

In an August 21 filing, the Postal Service filed a request with the PRC to offer an optional proof of delivery service for its outbound Priority Mail International service. This service, as well as classification changes in the docket, will more accurately align the USPS Mail Classification Schedule (MCS) with recent amendments to the UPU Convention related to proof of delivery service for parcels. The UPU 2025 Dubai Congress amended the Convention to require that UPU-designated operators offer proof of delivery service for inbound parcels, effective January 1, 2027. However, proof of delivery for outbound parcels will be an optional service under the amended Convention.

The Postal Service says it will price the Outbound Proof of Delivery Service when it submits its next full competitive product price change with the PRC. 

In a separate filing at the PRC, which is also related to changes the UPU has made to its Convention, USPS plans to eliminate Direct Sacks Airmail M-Bags service. M-Bags were removed from the basic services of UPU member countries in January 2025, as a result of the 2023 Riyadh Extraordinary Congress. However, International Priority Airlift M-Bags, which many consolidators use, remains a USPS offering.