The e-commerce giant Amazon was so worried it wouldn’t reach a new contract with the U.S. Postal Service, reports Business Insider, that it drew up a plan for delivering without the USPS. Although it did reach a deal last April, Amazon has used that plan to expand its own delivery network. It now aims to be able to service nearly every addressable ZIP code — 99.9% of them — by itself and by a another delivery service by 2029.
U.S. Postmaster General David Steiner and others say he is not a political person, but he finds himself caught in the politics of voting by mail. The Associated Press article can be found here.
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Living people may soon be honored on U.S. stamps. According to a report in Linn’s Stamp News (October 12, 2026), a longstanding provision in the criteria for U.S. stamps has been removed. It had previously stated that at least three years must elapse before a person could be commemorated.
The criteria can be found on the U.S. Postal Service site here.
“Under the current criteria, living individuals are not categorically excluded from consideration,” Lisa Bobb-Semple, Director of Stamps for the USPS, told Linn’s. She emphasized, however, that that change has not resulted in any living person being considered for a stamp. [Right: Bobb-Semple at Americover 2026, August 7, 2026]
The philatelic newspaper reports the change in criteria on the website appears to have occurred in August 2026, without an announcement. The waiting period had been reduced to three years in 2018; for many years, it had been ten years.
Strangely, the only people now who must be deceased to be considered for a stamp are U.S. presidents! Criterion #4 states “A memorial stamp will be issued honoring U.S. presidents only after they are deceased.” However, does that open the door for a non-memorial stamp for a president?
“Why should a stamp only tell us who we were in the past and not where we are today?” Postmaster General David Steiner [left] said in a speech at Boston 2026 World Expo on May 30, talking about his goal of reinvigorating stamps for a broader audience.
Bobb-Semple did not tell Linn’s that Steiner’s comments prompted the change, only that the stamp selection criteria are reviewed periodically “to ensure they remain relevant and reflective of the Postal Service’s desire to issue diverse and robust stamp programs that resonate with the public.”
Living people have appeared on U.S. stamps in the past, but not directly. For example, some of the soldiers shown marching through the Arc de Triomphe in Paris on the Army stamp, based on a photograph taken Aug. 29, 1944, were undoubtedly still alive when the stamp (Scott 934) was issued on Sept. 28, 1945.
The 2013 U.S. Harry Potter stamps all featured the actors who played the roles in the movies, and all were still living when the stamps were issued. [Shown right, Daniel Radcliffe as Harry Potter] The 2021 Tap Dance [below] stamps featured recognizable living models (dancers).
At this time, no stamps or other issues have been announced for any living people.
[press release] [click on any of the pictures for larger versions]
U.S. Postal Service Announces Temporary Price Change for 2026 Holiday Shipping Season
WASHINGTON — The U.S. Postal Service filed notice August 25 with the Postal Regulatory Commission (PRC) regarding a temporary price change for some package products for the 2026 peak holiday season. This temporary price adjustment is to help cover extra 
handling costs to ensure a successful peak season.
The planned change for peak season, which was approved by the governors of the Postal Service, would affect prices on the following retail and commercial domestic competitive parcels: Priority Mail Express (PME), Priority Mail (PM), USPS Ground Advantage, and Parcel Select. No other products or services would be affected. Pending favorable review by the PRC, the temporary rates would go into effect at 12 a.m. CT on Oct. 4 and remain in place until 12 a.m. CT on Jan. 17, 2027.
This seasonal adjustment will bring prices for the Postal Service’s retail and commercial customers in line with competitive practices.
As a part of the Postal Service’s transformation plan, these temporary changes will support the organization in achieving our public service mission — providing a nationwide, integrated network for the delivery of mail and packages at least six days a week — in a cost-effective and financially sustainable manner over the long term, just as the U.S. Congress has intended.
The planned price changes include:
Retail:
Priority Mail and USPS Ground Advantage: Zones 1-4
$1.25 increase for Zones 1-4, 11-25 lbs.Priority Mail: Zones 5-9
Priority Mail Flat Rate:
USPS Ground Advantage: Zones 5-9
Priority Mail Express: Zones 1-9
Priority Mail Express Flat Rate:
For commercial rates, see the complete USPS press release.
The complete Postal Service price filings with prices for all products can be found on the PRC website under the Daily Listings section at prc.gov/dockets/daily. For the Shipping Services filing, see Docket No. CP2026-10. The Postal Service provides additional resources to assist customers regarding the price changes. These tools include price lists, downloadable price files and Federal Register Notices. This information will be available on the Postal Service’s Postal Explorer website at pe.usps.com/PriceChange/Index.
As of July 12, 2026:
| Product Letters (1 oz.) Letters (metered 1 oz.) Additional Ounces Domestic Postcards International Postcards International Letter (1 oz.) Priority Mail Express Flat-Rate env. Priority Mail Flat-Rate env. |
Current Prices 82¢ 78¢ 29¢ 65¢ $1.75 $1.75 $35.90 $12.90 |
Foster Miller reports from Boston 2026: “There has been recent discussion online about a USPS retail memo that incorrectly said that handback cancels were not permitted. On May 21, 2026 a “Retail Service Talk” memo was sent to all USPS retail employees that includes a section on Postal Operations Manual (POM) 231.4 Philatelic Handback Service. It clearly states that philatelic handback service IS permitted.”
We now have a downloadable PDF version of the complete Retail Sales Talk memo on The Viritual Stamp Club website. Click here.
The U.S. Postal Service has added three “philatelic products” with the Boston 2026 stamp designs, although they are not yet listed on the store.USPS.com or StampsForever websites, only in the Spring edition of the USA Philatelic catalogue. They are a lanyard, a totebag and a “keepsake,” or album.
The latter (above) appears to be a spiral-bound album that “includes a custom sleeve for each stamp pane issued during the expo.” In small type at the bottom of the illustration is “Stamps not included.” At a minimum, those stamps would cost $86.23 plus whatever the full pane of the “Encore” issue costs. There is a dedication ceremony for the already-released Figures of the American Revolution pane of 25 stamps, and it is not clear if there would be a page for that. It does not appear that that vertical pane would fit in the album. 
The price is $39.95.
The lanyard illustration (right) appears to show it with last year’s Boston 2026 stamp pins affixed, but they probably are not included. The catalogue text says “affix your favorite stamp pins,” implying that you have to supply them yourself. It is $8.95.
The canvas tote bag (below), at $18.95, says it is printed on each side with one of the Boston 2026 stamp designs.
The USA Philatelic catalogue says “Order World Stamp Show Products by May 1st to have them for the expo,” but as of April 12, they are not listed on the website. The catalogue adds “or purchase them directly at the show.”
Updated June 10, 2026: Surprise! The Postal Regulatory Commission found that “the Postal Service’s planned price adjustments relating to First-Class Mail are consistent with applicable law and may take effect as planned.”
[press release] [click on any of the pictures for larger versions]
U.S. Postal Service Recommends New Prices for July
WASHINGTON, DC — The U.S. Postal Service today filed notice with the Postal Regulatory Commission (PRC) of mailing services price changes to take effect on July 12. The new rates include a 4-cent increase in the price of a First-Class Mail Forever stamp from 78 cents to 82 cents.
The proposed adjustments, approved by the governors of the Postal Service, would raise mailing services product prices approximately 4.8 percent. If favorably reviewed by the Commission, the price changes would include:
| Product Letters (1 oz.) Letters (metered 1 oz.) Additional Ounces Domestic Postcards International Postcards International Letter (1 oz.) |
Current Prices 78¢ 74¢ 29¢ 61¢ $1.70 $1.70 |
Proposed Prices 82¢ 78¢ 29¢ 65¢ $1.75 $1.75 |
The Postal Service is also seeking price adjustments for other First-Class Mail products, Periodicals, USPS Marketing Mail, Package Services and selected Special Services products.
In the midst of the severe financial crisis facing the Postal Service and continued rising operational costs, the Postal Service is using all available tools, including available regulatory pricing authority, to ensure we can continue to fulfill our universal service obligation and serve the American public. The Postal Service generally receives no tax dollars for operating expenses and relies on the sale of postage, products and services to fund its operations. Notwithstanding the adjustment, the Postal Service’s mailing prices remain among the most affordable in the world.
The PRC will review the changes before they are scheduled to take effect. The complete Postal Service price filing, with prices for all products, can be found on the commission’s website under the Daily Listings section. The Mailing Services filing is Docket No. R2026-1. The price tables are also available on the Postal Service’s Postal Explorer website at pe.usps.com/PriceChange/Index.
Update: As expected, the Postal Regulatory Commission approved all the requested changes, which only affect the USPS’ “competitive” (that is, package) services: Express Mail, Priority Mail, Ground Advantage and Parcel Select. It will go into effect April 26 and continue through January 17, 2027.
[press release] [click on any of the pictures for larger versions]
U.S. Postal Service Announces Transportation-Related, Time-Limited Price Change
WASHINGTON — The U.S. Postal Service has filed notice with the Postal Regulatory Commission (PRC) regarding a time-limited price change to better align its costs of transportation with the market. This temporary price adjustment will provide needed flexibility for the Postal Service by helping to ensure that the actual costs of doing business are covered, as required by Congress.
While this price increase is a time-limited adjustment, it will provide a necessary bridge to a permanent mechanism to reflect market conditions in prices for competitive products that can support the Postal Service’s ability to achieve the universal service obligation in a more financially sustainable manner going forward.
The planned price change, which was approved by the Governors of the Postal Service on March 24, is an 8 percent increase that would affect base postage prices on the following retail and commercial domestic competitive products: Priority Mail Express, Priority Mail, USPS Ground Advantage, and Parcel Select. No other products or services would be 
affected, including First-Class Stamps. Pending favorable review by the PRC, the price change would go into effect at midnight Central Time on April 26 and would remain in place until midnight Central Time on Jan. 17, 2027. At that time, the Postal Service can determine if a different long-term approach is needed.
Transportation costs have been increasing, and our competitors have reacted with a number of surcharges. We have steadfastly avoided surcharges and this charge is less than one-third of what our competitors charge for fuel alone, so even with this change, the Postal Service continues to offer great value in shipping with some of the lowest rates in the industrialized world.
The time-limited price change is consistent with industry practices and will support the Postal Service’s ability to continue achieving its public service mission — providing a nationwide, integrated network for the delivery of mail and packages at least six days a week — in a cost-effective and financially sustainable manner over the long term, just as the U.S. Congress has intended.
The PRC will review the proposed price change before it is scheduled to take effect on April 26. Complete USPS price filings, with prices for all products, can be found on the PRC website’s Daily Listings section at prc.arkcase.com/portal/filings. Price tables are also available on the Postal Explorer website at pe.usps.com/PriceChange/Index.
