U.S. postal fee guide
USPS Additional Charges & Fees
Review common USPS package surcharges, extra services, delivery and pickup fees, commercial mailing charges, and international fees from the July 2026 Notice 123 price list.
Read the fee before the fine print
Match each USPS fee to the service and trigger
USPS publishes package-size surcharges within individual service tables and lists optional services in separate fee schedules. This FreightXO chart brings the most useful amounts together while preserving the service and condition that control each charge. It is a reference guide, not a USPS quote or postage calculation.
A long or oversized Priority Mail parcel can have a different surcharge from the same-size USPS Ground Advantage parcel. Check the service column before using an amount.
USPS Tracking is included with several parcel services. The chart identifies paid options and exceptions instead of treating every listed feature as an added charge.
Mail class, dimensions, entry point, postage method, destination, declared value, eligibility, and later USPS updates can change the final amount.
Additional charge chart
USPS additional charges at a glance
Amounts are in U.S. dollars and reflect Notice 123 effective July 12, 2026. Base postage, dimensional-weight pricing, duties, taxes, vendor charges, and other applicable fees are separate unless a row states otherwise.
Package size, shape & processing charges
These charges apply when parcel dimensions, volume, shape, contents, or electronic mailing data require different handling or correction.
| Charge | Amount | Where it applies | Key condition |
|---|---|---|---|
| Length over 22 inches through 30 inches | $4.50 per parcel | Priority Mail Express, Priority Mail, and USPS Ground Advantage retail and commercial parcels. | Applies when length exceeds 22 inches but does not exceed 30 inches. Some destination-entry Parcel Select and USPS Connect Local prices use lower entry-specific amounts. |
| Length over 30 inches | $21 Priority Mail Express or Priority Mail; $10 USPS Ground Advantage | Retail and commercial parcels in the listed services. | Applies when parcel length exceeds 30 inches. Parcel Select and USPS Connect Local use separate destination-entry amounts. |
| Volume over 2 cubic feet | $35 Priority Mail Express or Priority Mail; $21 USPS Ground Advantage | Retail and commercial parcels in the listed services. | Applies when volume exceeds 3,456 cubic inches. Dimensional-weight pricing can also apply above one cubic foot. |
| Nonstandard parcel characteristics | $4.50 per parcel | Priority Mail Express, Priority Mail, and USPS Ground Advantage retail and commercial parcels. | Applies to listed processing characteristics such as tubes or rolls, cans, wooden or metal boxes, specified liquid containers, or parcels that may roll or lose package integrity. |
| Package Quality Noncompliance or Unmanifested Fee | $0.25 per piece | Eligible commercial package mailings, including commercial Priority Mail Express, Priority Mail, USPS Ground Advantage, Parcel Select, and USPS Connect Local. | Applies when required package-quality or manifest data does not meet USPS standards. |
| Dimension Noncompliance Fee | $3.00 per piece | Eligible commercial package mailings. | Applies when required parcel dimension information is missing or does not meet USPS requirements. |
| Live animal and perishable handling | $7.50 per parcel | Listed Priority Mail Express, Priority Mail, and USPS Ground Advantage parcels. | Applies to eligible live animal and perishable shipments under USPS mailing standards. A separate day-old poultry transportation fee can apply by pound in Zones 5 through 9. |
| HAZMAT handling | $7.50 per parcel | Listed Priority Mail Express, Priority Mail, and USPS Ground Advantage parcels. | Applies to eligible hazardous-material parcels. USPS packaging, marking, documentation, and mailing restrictions still control acceptance. |
| Priority Mail Express Sunday or holiday delivery | $12.50 | Eligible Priority Mail Express retail shipments. | Added when Sunday or holiday delivery is required and available. |
Proof, coverage & signature fees
These optional services add evidence of mailing or delivery, declared-value coverage, collection, or recipient controls.
| Charge | Amount | Where it applies | Key condition |
|---|---|---|---|
| Certificate of Mailing | $2.45 individual article; $0.75 per piece on qualifying firm sheets | Eligible domestic mail presented with the required USPS form. | The firm-sheet price has a three-piece minimum. Additional copies are $2.45 per page. |
| Certified Mail | $5.55; $14.35 with restricted delivery or an adult-signature option | Eligible domestic mail, in addition to postage and other fees. | The selected recipient restriction or adult-signature service determines the higher amount. |
| Domestic insurance | $2.80 up to $50; $3.50 to $100; $4.50 to $200; higher tiers above $200 | Eligible domestic merchandise shipments with purchased insurance. | Published tiers rise with declared value. Above $600, the fee is $9.05 plus $1.50 per $100 or fraction over $600, with maximum liability of $5,000. |
| Return Receipt | $4.65 hard copy; $2.91 electronic | Eligible domestic items used with another qualifying extra service. | Requested at the time of mailing. The selected hard-copy or electronic format sets the fee. |
| Signature Confirmation | $5.15 retail; $4.15 electronic | Eligible USPS Ground Advantage, Package Services, Parcel Select, and Priority Mail pieces. | Commercial USPS Ground Advantage and Parcel Select use the electronic option. |
| Restricted or adult signature | $12.95 electronic or $13.95 retail restricted delivery; $9.70 adult signature; $10 adult restricted | Eligible domestic Signature Confirmation shipments. | Availability and recipient requirements depend on the selected service. |
| Collect on Delivery | $13.75 to $52.10 by amount collected or insurance desired | Eligible domestic COD shipments with amounts through $1,000. | USPS uses the higher of the amount to be collected or desired insurance coverage. COD Restricted Delivery adds $8.80. |
| Registered Mail | $20.90 with no declared value; $21.50 to $40.50 through $5,000 declared value | Eligible domestic Registered Mail, in addition to postage. | Higher declared values use the published incremental schedule. Insurance compensation is limited to $50,000. |
Delivery, pickup & tracking service fees
These charges relate to intercepting packages, arranging a paid pickup, delivering labels, and extending tracking-record retention.
| Charge | Amount | Where it applies | Key condition |
|---|---|---|---|
| Package Intercept | $19.45 per piece | Eligible domestic packages. | The intercept fee is separate from any postage or service charges required for the requested disposition. |
| Pickup on Demand | $26.50 per pickup | Eligible domestic and international Pickup on Demand stops. | Charged per scheduled stop. Free Package Pickup has separate eligibility and service conditions. |
| USPS Label Delivery Service | $1.65 per return or outbound label | Eligible domestic label-delivery requests. | The fee covers delivery of the label and is separate from postage and other shipment charges. |
| USPS Tracking Plus retention | $2.50 to $8.50 per piece | Eligible domestic and international packages with extended scan or scan-plus-signature retention. | Price depends on the selected retention period, from six months through ten years. Signature retention begins with the listed three-year option. |
| Archived tracking reports | $10 tracking statement; $20 signature letter; $52 for 18 months | Eligible USPS Tracking Plus records. | Charged per retrieved report or record option. |
Address, return & commercial mailing fees
These fees apply to address notices, forwarding or returns, commercial permits, and mailing-data compliance.
| Charge | Amount | Where it applies | Key condition |
|---|---|---|---|
| Address Correction Service | $1 manual notice; $0.17 to $0.50 electronic or automated notice | Eligible domestic First-Class Mail, USPS Ground Advantage-Retail, USPS Marketing Mail, and other listed mail. | The mail class, notice method, and number of automated notices determine the amount. Full-Service Intelligent Mail eligible pieces can be $0. |
| Address forwarding with ACS | $0.76 letter; $2.55 flat; $9.85 parcel; $4 Bound Printed Matter flat | Forwarded USPS Marketing Mail and Bound Printed Matter used with Address Correction Service and an eligible ancillary endorsement. | Charged per forwarded piece when the qualifying service combination is used. |
| Parcel Select forwarding or return | $6.00 per piece; $5.40 with Shipper Paid Forwarding/Returns and ACS | Eligible Parcel Select pieces. | The lower amount requires the listed ACS and shipper-paid forwarding or return arrangement. |
| Annual mailing fee | $390 per 12-month period | First-Class Mail Presort, USPS Marketing Mail, and destination-entry Bound Printed Matter flats. | Charged per office of mailing or applicable mailing authorization. |
| Permit Imprint application | $390 | Applicants using an eligible USPS permit imprint payment method. | Application requirements and any separate account or mailing fees still apply. |
| Move Update assessment | $0.08 per assessed piece | Commercial mail subject to USPS Move Update requirements. | Applies when the mailing does not meet the applicable Move Update standard. |
International extra services & customs-related fees
International services use separate proof, pickup, customs, registration, receipt, insurance, and tracking fees.
| Charge | Amount | Where it applies | Key condition |
|---|---|---|---|
| International Certificate of Mailing | $2.55 First-Class Mail International; $2.40 First-Class Package International Service or Airmail M-Bags | Eligible outbound international mail with the required USPS form. | Firm-sheet and bulk-mailing prices are lower per piece and have minimum or quantity rules. |
| Customs Clearance and Delivery Fee | $9.35 per dutiable item | All other qualifying classes of inbound international mail. | Applies to a qualifying dutiable inbound item. Government duties, taxes, and other charges are separate. |
| International Pickup on Demand | $26.50 per stop | Eligible international Pickup on Demand requests. | Charged for each scheduled Pickup on Demand stop. |
| International Registered Mail | $25 per piece | Eligible First-Class Mail International pieces. | Country availability and International Mail Manual restrictions apply. |
| International Return Receipt | $7.20 per piece | Eligible First-Class Mail International used with Registered Mail. | Must be requested at the time of mailing and used with the qualifying Registered Mail service. |
| International merchandise insurance | $0 through $200; $13.85 to $35.95 from $200.01 through $900 | Eligible Priority Mail Express International and Priority Mail International merchandise. | Above $900, add $3.70 per $100 or fraction. Maximum insurance is $5,000 and varies by country. |
| First-Class Mail International nonmachinable surcharge | $0.49 | International letters meeting one or more nonmachinable characteristics. | Applies in addition to the international letter postage shown in Notice 123. |
Carrier source
Verify the carrier source before shipping
USPS fees depend on the mail class, preparation, dimensions, entry point, destination, declared value, and selected extra services. Use the current Postal Explorer source and applicable USPS mailing standards before relying on a listed amount.
- Primary source
- USPS Notice 123 Price List
- Source effective date
- July 12, 2026
- The supplied Notice 123 price list is effective July 12, 2026.
- Package-size fees are summarized by service. Some destination-entry Parcel Select and USPS Connect Local fees differ and should be checked in the carrier table.
- This page summarizes published carrier information. Current USPS standards, eligibility, postage calculations, acceptance decisions, and later updates control the final charge.
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