USPS Expands Last-Mile Role as Parcel Prices Rise — What Shippers Should Know

Recent moves by the United States Postal Service (USPS) signal an important shift for domestic parcel distribution: the agency is actively expanding its last-mile capabilities while also proposing parcel price increases. For cross-border shippers and logistics providers serving U.S. customers, these changes affect routing, cost planning, and the design of end-to-end delivery solutions.美国邮政服务（USPS）最近的举动标志着国内包裹配送的一个重要转变：该机构正在积极扩大其最后一英里的能力，同时也提议提高包裹价格。对于为美国客户提供服务的跨境托运人和物流提供商来说，这些变化会影响路线、成本规划和端到端交付解决方案的设计。

What USPS is changing 美国邮政总局正在改变什么

USPS leadership has signaled a plan to better monetize its unique network — particularly by expanding last-mile services and partnering with major carriers. Key points include:美国邮政领导层已经发出信号，计划更好地将其独特的网络货币化，特别是通过扩大最后一英里服务和与主要运营商合作。要点包括：

• Negotiations with large carriers (including UPS) to handle final-mile deliveries on covered routes, which could reallocate certain ground parcel flows to USPS networks.与大型运输公司（包括UPS）谈判，处理覆盖路线上的最后一英里交付，这可能会将某些地面包裹流重新分配给USPS网络。
• Plans to offer retailers faster domestic options — such as same-day or next-day delivery — leveraging USPS’s universal delivery coverage.计划为零售商提供更快的国内选择，如当天或第二天送达，利用美国邮政总局的普遍送货覆盖。
• Expanded emphasis on returns, using USPS’s broad network of facilities to simplify and scale return logistics for merchants.扩大对退货的重视，利用USPS广泛的设施网络，为商家简化和扩大退货物流。

Parcel pricing — the other side of the coin包裹定价——硬币的另一面

To support operations and investments, USPS has proposed price adjustments across core parcel products. While final regulatory decisions may vary, the proposal outlines increases to services such as Priority Mail, Priority Mail Express, and USPS Ground. Shippers should expect domestic parcel fees to rise and factor these increases into quotes and customer pricing.为了支持业务和投资，USPS提议对核心包裹产品进行价格调整。虽然最终的监管决定可能会有所不同，但提案概述了优先邮件，优先邮件快递和USPS地面等服务的增加。托运人应该预料到国内包裹费用将上涨，并将这些上涨计入报价和客户定价。

What this means for cross-border shippers这对跨境托运人意味着什么

For companies moving cargo from China (or elsewhere) to U.S. consumers, USPS’s strategy creates both opportunity and headwinds:对于从中国（或其他地方）向美国消费者运送货物的公司来说，美国邮政的战略既创造了机遇，也带来了阻力：

• Opportunity: Using USPS for last-mile delivery or returns can improve coverage and simplify dropship or distributed fulfillment models — particularly to remote addresses where courier service costs escalate.机会：使用USPS进行最后一英里的送货或退货可以提高覆盖范围，简化配送或分布式履行模式，特别是对于快递服务成本上升的偏远地址。
• Headwind: Parcel price increases will raise U.S. domestic costs. Door-to-door quotes must separate international transport (ocean/air) from domestic final-mile costs so customers see where price changes occur.不利因素：包裹价格上涨将提高美国国内成本。门到门的报价必须将国际运输（海运/空运）与国内最后一英里的成本分开，这样客户才能看到价格的变化。
• Recommendation: Offer mixed routing options in quotes (e.g., “Delivery Option A — USPS last-mile” vs. “Option B — private courier”) and show the cost and transit tradeoffs.建议：在报价中提供混合的路线选择（例如，“交付选项A - USPS最后一英里”与“选项B -私人快递”），并显示成本和运输权衡。

Practical steps GoodShip56 recommendsGoodShip56推荐的实际步骤

1. Split quotes by leg: Present clear charges for (1) origin to U.S. port/airport, (2) U.S. import/clearance, and (3) U.S. domestic delivery. This keeps customers informed and aware of changing domestic prices.按腿分开报价：提供明确的费用(1)原产地到美国港口/机场，(2)美国进口/清关，(3)美国国内交货。这让客户了解国内价格的变化。
2. Evaluate hybrid routing: Consider combining air or ocean first-mile with USPS last-mile where coverage or cost benefits exist.评估混合路由：考虑将空运或海运第一英里与USPS最后一英里结合起来，在覆盖范围或成本效益存在的情况下。
3. Leverage USPS returns: Design return zones using USPS facility density to simplify RMA handling and reduce reverse logistics costs.利用USPS退货：使用USPS设施密度设计退货区，以简化RMA处理并降低逆向物流成本。
4. Monitor rate filings: Keep an eye on USPS regulatory filings and adjust contracts and price estimates as final rates are confirmed.监控费率文件：密切关注USPS监管文件，并在最终费率确定后调整合同和价格估算。

Bottom line 底线

USPS’s push to deepen last-mile involvement and the concurrent parcel price proposals mean U.S. domestic delivery will look a bit different in the months to come. For cross-border shippers and logistics partners, the best response is to plan for higher domestic parcel costs while exploring new operational benefits that USPS partnerships can unlock — especially around coverage and returns.美国邮政深化“最后一英里”业务的努力，以及同时提出的包裹价格建议，意味着未来几个月美国国内快递业务将略有不同。对于跨境托运人和物流合作伙伴来说，最好的应对办法是为国内包裹成本的上涨做准备，同时探索USPS合作伙伴关系可以带来的新的运营优势，尤其是在覆盖范围和退货方面。

Sources: reporting on USPS last-mile strategy and proposed parcel pricing. For tailored quotes that reflect USPS routing and projected domestic costs, contact GoodShip56 and we’ll run a side-by-side cost comparison for your shipments.资料来源：报告美国邮政最后一英里战略和拟议的包裹定价。对于反映USPS路由和预计国内成本的量身定制报价，请联系GoodShip56，我们将为您的货物运行并排成本比较。