The U.S. Postal Service is seeking permission to impose a surcharge on parcel products for the first time ever to cover soaring transportation costs, including for gasoline and diesel fuel, which have jumped more than 30% since the invasion of Iran by the United States and Israel nearly a month ago.

Parcel shipments would be charged an 8% fee, on top of their regular transportation charge, if the fee is approved.

The quasi-private agency on Wednesday sought permission from the Postal Regulatory Commission for a time-limited price adjustment on parcel shipments because of rapidly changing market prices for fuel and other transportation costs. The spike in fuel costs is the most dramatic cost engine now and the surcharge essentially amounts to what would be the first fuel surcharge in Postal Service history — a common practice with private carriers like DHL, FedEx and UPS. 

Postal officials note that the surcharge is also intended to help offset a variety of transportation costs besides fuel, including trucking rates, vehicle maintenance, and pass-through costs, such as insurance, from contract motor carriers.