The U.S. Postal Service has changed how postmarks are applied, a move that could result in your mail arriving "late" in 2026, per northjersey.com.
Under the new rule, which took effect December 24, a USPS postmark no longer reflects the date a letter is dropped into a mailbox or handed over the counter. Instead, the postmark now shows the date the envelope is first processed by an automated sorting machine, which can be days later and may occur at a regional facility far from where the mail was sent.
That delay means mail that was dropped off before a deadline could still receive a postmark dated after it, potentially triggering late fees or penalties for people sending time-sensitive mail such as tax returns, bill payments, rent checks, or legal documents. The USPS advises customers to mail important documents several days in advance or visit a post office and request a hand-stamped postmark on the day of mailing.
The postmark update is part of a broader set of USPS changes taking effect in the new year. While the price of a First-Class Mail stamp remains $0.78 for now, several shipping services will see price increases starting January 18, 2026. Priority
Priority Mail prices, which currently start at $10.45 per package and $11.90 for flat-rate envelopes, are expected to rise by about 6.6 percent beginning January 18, 2026. Priority Mail Express, with packages starting at $32.50 and flat-rate envelopes at $33.40, is projected to increase by roughly 5.1 percent. USPS Ground Advantage, which starts at $7.20, is expected to see the largest hike at about 7.8 percent, while Parcel Select rates are set to rise by approximately 6 percent.
USPS is also rolling out redesigned, technology-focused post office lobbies nationwide. Planned upgrades include 24/7 smart lockers, enhanced self-service kiosks, digital displays, streamlined layouts, and expanded government services such as passports and identity verification.
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