The US Postal Service is slowing mail delivery and hiking prices

Americans already feeling the effects of the US Postal Service’s cost-cutting measures may start to notice more changes to their mail starting today (Oct. 1), when the USPS begins service changes that will slow delivery. Starting Oct. 3 the USPS will also impose a holiday season surcharge, resulting in price hikes on everything from parcel returns to priority mail.

How will I be affected?

The standard service changes apply to first-class, regular mail, and periodicals such as newspapers and magazines. The USPS estimates delivery could take one to two days longer if it’s traveling outside of your local area. Whereas Americans could once count on first-class mail to be delivered anywhere in the country within three days, it may now take up to five.

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