Postal service increases pricing in Kansas and across US. Here’s what costs more
Using the U.S. Postal Service will be more expensive this year.
That’s because the USPS announced in November price increases on certain services would begin Jan. 18 following a net loss of $9 billion in the 2025 fiscal year.
“To correct our financial imbalances, we must explore new revenue opportunities and public policy changes to improve our business model,” Postmaster General David Steiner said in the November news release. “Most importantly, we must operate more efficiently and compete more effectively to best perform our public service mission.”
The price hikes for some services are not the only recent changes the USPS has made in recent months. A new rule that began Dec. 24, 2025, clarified the meaning of a postmark. Previously, the postmark generally signified when the postal service received the item. Due to the rule change, the postmark will now signify when the USPS processed the item.
The new rule is not meant to “change any existing postal operations or postmarking practices, but is instead intended to improve public understanding of postmarks and their relationship to the date of mailing,” the postal service said.
The shift could affect time-sensitive mail, however, including mail-in ballots.
In addition, Kansas has also recently eliminated the ballot grace period, which allowed mail-in ballots returned to election officials up to three days after the election to be counted. Now, all advanced ballots have to be returned by Election Day in order to count.
If you rely on the USPS in Kansas, these changes may lead to some questions. Here’s a quick guide on what you should know.
How much have USPS prices increased?
The shipping price changes are as follows:
- 6.6% increase to Priority Mail service
- 5.1% increase for Priority Mail Express service
- 7.8% increase for USPS Ground Advantage
- 6% increase for Parcel Select
“Although Mailing Services price increases are based on the consumer price index, Shipping Services prices are primarily adjusted according to market conditions,” the release reads. “The governors believe these new rates will keep the Postal Service competitive while providing the organization with needed revenue.”
The price of First Class mail stamps remains unchanged.
How many USPS locations are in Wichita?
There are eight USPS locations in Wichita city limits, as well as five outside the city.
- Downtown: 330 W. 2nd St. N.
- North Wichita: 2325 N. Arkansas Ave.
- Chisholm: 2510 S. Elizabeth Ave.
- Munger: 1314 N. Oliver Ave.
- River City: 3241 S. Hydraulic St.
- GMF Retail Window: 7117 W. Harry St.
- Delano: 626 S. Tyler Road
- Corporate Hills: 9350 E. Corporate Hills Drive
There are also post offices in Kechi (307 E. Kechi Road), Haysville (224 W. Grand Ave.), Maize (115 E. Albert St.), Valley Center (205 E. Main St.) and Derby (201 W. Greenway St.). There’s also a postal sub-station at Leeker’s Food Store in Park City (6223 N. Broadway).
