USPS mail processing changes affect postmark dates for customers nationwide

Some mail sent via the USPS may not receive a postmark dated the same day it is mailed.

This shift comes as USPS moves forward with operational updates associated with its long-term transformation plan, which also includes price changes scheduled for 2026.

In a statement on its website, USPS said adjustments to transportation processes mean some mail may arrive at these processing facilities later than in the past — which could affect the date reflected on the postmark.

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Most postage stamps are applied by machines at the original processing facilities, not at local post offices, the agency said.

As a result, the date printed on the postmark may reflect the time the mail was processed, not the time it was delivered by the customer or collected by the carrier.

Martha Johnson, a USPS spokeswoman based in Washington, D.C., told Fox News Digital that the update aims to clarify which postmarks they refer to and when they apply.

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“It does not signal a change in postmarking procedures regarding how or what we label mail, but rather is intended to improve public understanding of the information conveyed by postmarks, when typically applied during operations, and its relationship to mail history,” Johnson said.

Customers who need a postmark that matches the mailing date still have an option, USPS said.

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“Customers who would like a postmark that matches their mailing date can request a hand-postmark (local) at a retail location,” the agency stated.

Postmark dates may reflect processing time, but customers can still request a same-day manual postmark at their local USPS location. (Istock)

The postmark is applied free of charge when mail is handed over to a clerk at the retail counter, the Postal Service said.

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Separately, USPS announced it will increase shipping rates starting January 18, 2026.

“The change will raise prices approximately 6.6 percent for Priority Mail, 5.1 percent for Priority Mail Express, 7.8 percent for USPS Ground Advantage and 6.0 percent for Parcel Select,” the agency said.

USPS plans to raise shipping rates this month, with increases ranging from about 5% to nearly 8% across major services. (Istock)

The price of a first class postage stamp will remain unchanged.

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USPS said the rate changes are part of a 10-year transformation plan to improve financial sustainability — adding that shipping rates are adjusted based on market conditions.