The United States Postal Service has filed a request with the Postal Regulatory Commission to impose an 8% fuel surcharge on parcel products, marking the first time in the agency's history it has sought such a fee. The proposed surcharge would apply to Priority Mail Express, Priority Mail, USPS Ground Advantage, and Parcel Select shipments. According to the filing, fuel costs — including gasoline and diesel — have risen more than 30% in recent weeks, with gasoline prices climbing approximately $1 per gallon to nearly $4 per gallon. The USPS attributes the spike in part to elevated energy market conditions following a military conflict in Iran. The Governors of the Postal Service approved the proposed 8% price adjustment on Tuesday, ahead of the Wednesday filing with the Postal Regulatory Commission. If approved, the surcharge is scheduled to take effect on April 26 and remain in place through January 17, 2027. The USPS characterized the measure as both a response to immediate cost pressures and a step toward establishing a permanent fuel surcharge mechanism for competitive products. '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 USPS stated in a news release. The agency noted that its proposed 8% surcharge is less than one-third of the fuel surcharges currently imposed by private carriers such as UPS, FedEx, and DHL, which range from approximately 21% to 34% of base transportation rates depending on mode and shipping status. UPS has implemented three fuel surcharge increases in 2026, including a 1% increase on March 9. Both UPS and FedEx have also introduced temporary fees for shipments to and from the Middle East. The USPS reported a net loss of $9 billion in its most recent fiscal year, with an operating loss of approximately $2.7 billion. The Postal Regulatory Commission must review and approve the proposed price change before it takes effect. Nearly all USPS delivery vehicles run on gasoline, while diesel powers the long-haul trucks used to transport mail and packages to distribution centers.