Tell customers plainly what is changing, which product or service it affects, the old and new prices, and the date the new price takes effect. Give a brief, truthful reason and a useful way to ask questions or review genuine options. Before choosing that date, check the customer’s contract and the rules that apply in the relevant jurisdiction; there is no single notice period for every business or customer.
What to include in a price increase notice
A useful notice answers the customer’s practical questions without requiring them to infer what happens next. Keep the information specific to the recipient’s product, plan, service, or fee.
- What is changing: Name the affected product, service, plan, or rate.
- Current and new price: State both amounts and the billing period or unit, such as per month, per hour, or per project.
- Effective date: Say when the new price applies. If the customer will first see it on a later invoice, order, or renewal, give that date too.
- Reason: Explain the actual business reason briefly. Do not claim higher costs or service improvements unless they are true.
- Options and next step: Describe any real choices, such as changing plans, discussing scope, or cancelling, and explain how and by when to use them.
- Questions: Include a working email address, phone number, account contact, or support route.
Shopify’s price-increase letter guidance and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s customer communication guidance both emphasize clear explanations and direct communication. Thank customers if appropriate, but do not let a courteous closing obscure the financial impact.
Examples you can adapt
These are illustrative templates, not notices from a real business. Replace every bracket with accurate information and check applicable contract terms before sending.
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Short email
Subject: A change to [product/service] pricing on [date]
Hello [name],
We’re writing to let you know that the price of [specific product, service, or plan] will change from [current price] to [new price] on [effective date]. We’re making this change because [brief, accurate reason].
Your [next bill/order/renewal] at the new price will be [date or billing period]. If you have questions or want to review your options, contact [person/team] at [contact method] by [date, if applicable].
Thank you for choosing [business].
[Name / team]
Personal service or freelance rate
Hello [name],
I’m updating my rate for [service] from [current rate] to [new rate], starting [date]. This change applies to [specific future work, renewals, or bookings]. [State clearly what happens to work already agreed.] The change reflects [actual reason]. If you’d like to discuss the scope or timing of upcoming work, please contact me by [date].
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[Name]
Subscription or recurring plan
Subject: Your [plan] price will change on [date]
Hello [name],
Starting [date], your [plan] will cost [new amount] per [billing period], compared with [current amount]. The change applies to your account from [specific bill or renewal]. [Describe a feature or service change only if one is actually included.] You can [describe genuine available options] before [relevant deadline]. For questions, contact [support route].
For recurring plans, specify the billing period, any minimum term that applies, and the customer’s next decision point. Do not imply that a customer can change or cancel unless that option is actually available under the terms.
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When to send the notice
There is no universally applicable notice period established for every price increase. Contract terms and local requirements may set the timing; practical considerations include the customer’s budgeting cycle, the size of the change, the product, and whether the customer is approaching a renewal.
Shopify describes 30–60 days as typical advance notice and says 90 days may be preferable for some business-to-business contracts or high-value annual subscriptions. Treat these figures as practical guidance, not a legal rule or a fit for every relationship. Check the signed agreement and applicable requirements before selecting an effective date. Revenue Management Labs likewise emphasizes checking timing against the contract and customer context in its guidance on communicating price increases.
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Choose a delivery channel and prepare your team
Send the notice through a channel the customer actually uses. Depending on the relationship and significance of the change, that may mean email, a direct letter, a phone call, or more than one channel. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce discusses direct letters, email, and phone calls as ways to communicate a change.
Before sending, prepare one internal reference for staff who handle questions. It should identify the affected customer groups, prices and dates, contract rules, available options, support contacts, and answers to likely questions. This helps keep the notice, invoices, account pages, and staff explanations consistent.
Decide how the increase applies
A price change can apply broadly, on a schedule, to selected customer groups, or through different plan choices. Choose the structure that reflects the actual business need, then explain which customers are affected and what alternatives are genuinely available.
Before deciding, consider whether the business need is temporary or lasting, the effect on revenue or margin, which customer and contract segments are involved, renewal and budget timing, and whether a different plan or scope is a viable option. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce recommends examining whether cost increases are temporary, considering alternatives, comparing competitors, and evaluating different price structures. These are decision inputs, not proof that any one approach will prevent customers from leaving.
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Keep legal and pricing disclosures in context
Rules differ by jurisdiction and transaction. A notice about a future price for an existing customer is not necessarily the same issue as displaying a price to someone considering a purchase. Do not treat guidance about purchase-price disclosures as a universal rule for notice to existing customers.
United Kingdom
The Competition and Markets Authority’s price transparency guidance, published 18 November 2025 and updated 7 January 2026, addresses pricing information and practices such as drip pricing. Its summary of clear and accurate price information says an invitation to purchase will normally need to show the total price clearly and in a timely way, including unavoidable mandatory charges, and covers periodic pricing examples. This is UK pricing guidance; it is not a complete statement of contract notice duties or a universal notice period for existing accounts.
United States
The Federal Trade Commission’s FAQ on the Rule on Unfair or Deceptive Fees says mandatory fees covered by the rule must be reflected in the total price and disclosures should be clear and conspicuous. Applicability depends on the transaction and rule. The FAQ concerns fee and price disclosures, not a universal notice period for every existing-customer increase.
For other jurisdictions, sectors, or customer relationships, review the relevant agreement and local rules before setting the date or describing the customer’s options.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
