The federal government established the United States Postal Service (USPS) to ensure that all residents of the United States have access to dependable mail service. Only the United States Postal Service can access and deliver mail to mailboxes across the country. The Postal Service was established in 1792 after the passage of the Postal Service Act.
In 1872, the agency joined the rest of the Post Office Department, moving into the executive cabinet. Nearly a century passed before the Postal Reorganization Act of 1970 categorized USPS as a separate business from the government.
USPS has evolved from its humble beginnings as a domestic letter carrier into a full-fledged logistics provider. The agency provides expedited shipment to domestic customers and offers foreign retailers low-cost shipping to more than 180 countries.
Does USPS Deliver on Saturdays?
Yes, the United States Postal Service now offers weekend delivery services, in addition to its previous weekday service. Some local offices close earlier than others, but most are open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday. Delivery on Saturday is possible for any packages. While most post offices are open on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., specific locations may be closed or have reduced hours (9 a.m. to 10 a.m.).
What Kind of Packages Are Delivered on a Saturday?
Types of Packages Delivered on a Saturday
The United States Postal Service provides free Saturday delivery of parcels sent via Priority Mail or Express. Priority Mail Express offers Sunday delivery for an additional fee if you ship it overnight.
All products heavier than 13 ounces sent via First-Class Mail can be automatically upgraded to Priority Mail or Priority Mail Express. Any other material, including First-Class Mail items, can be upgraded at the sender’s discretion. Sending packages by Priority Mail has a weight limit of 150 lbs.
The United States Postal Service is unique in that it can deliver mail to every address in the country. UPS and other carriers have formed partnerships with USPS to improve the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of their final mile of delivery. What sets USPS distinct from its rivals is that it can deliver to P.O. Boxes, military APO/FPO addresses, and foreign diplomatic missions.
Types of Packages That May Not Be Delivered on a Saturday
Standard mail, packages, and parcels, basically everything sent through the USPS, can be dropped off at the post office and ready to be delivered on the weekend.
To ensure the timely delivery of these express, expedited, and more expensive postal services, certain post offices may choose to hold back First-Class Mail, media mail, and regular post on Saturdays instead of sending out just Priority Mail and Priority Mail Express products.
Does USPS deliver on Sundays?
The United States Postal Service is closed on Sundays, although there is one exception. Mail is delivered Monday through Saturday using conventional services, while all post offices are closed on Sundays.
The day of rest doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice productivity. If you have a Post Office Box, you can perform the following without ever interacting with any postal workers.
Post offices typically have drop slots where you can deposit mail, pick up mail from a P.O. Box, determine the postage due, and buy stamps. Weight machines are commonly available at post offices, making this a simple operation.
Some post offices are open on a few Sundays leading up to Christmas. USPS processes an influx of mail and shipments during the weeks leading up to the holidays. Most post offices are open on Sundays to finish their work in time for the holidays. It varies by area.
Some post offices do, however, remain open on Sundays throughout the year. Check with your local post office to find out if it is open on Sundays. They may deliver on Sundays, but if not, you may get a list of post offices that will be open on holidays, including Sundays, by visiting the USPS website.
Priority Mail Express and Amazon
The US Postal Service does provide Sunday deliveries, but they come with certain limitations. Priority Mail Express and Amazon parcels are the only ones the carrier will deliver on Sundays. All other services will provide packages on Monday instead of Sunday. If you send your box out via USPS Priority Mail Express early enough on Saturday, it will arrive the following Sunday.
Priority Mail Express can send any mailable item, including letters, large or thick envelopes, tubes, and packages. Shipping and insurance up to $100 are included in this service, which offers a 100% satisfaction guarantee. You can get up to $5,000 additional coverage for your items. Sunday, holiday and early morning deliveries are offered to many locations for an extra cost.
Since Amazon has negotiated with the United States Postal Service to make package delivery available seven days a week, customers may also expect to receive their Amazon deliveries on Sundays right to their front door.
FAQs
What time does USPS deliver on Saturday in my area?
Monday through Saturday between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. are good times for all deliveries. Deliveries may be delivered after this time if there are exceptional circumstances, such as heavy traffic, fluctuating staffing, extreme weather, a natural disaster, a change in the carrier’s route, etc.
What happens if USPS doesn’t deliver on time?
You are entitled to a refund if your Priority Mail package has yet to be delivered on time. One-day delivery ensures that your mail will be delivered the following day, while two-day delivery ensures that your package will be delivered two days afterward.
What’s the longest USPS takes to deliver?
The US Postal Service’s delivery times within the United States range from one business day with Priority Mail Express to more than five days with Parcel Select Ground. International shipping services range from one to three days for Global Express Guaranteed to twenty days for First-Class Package International Service.
Can you track your mailman?
No. There is no way to keep tabs on your mailman, and it is against the law to do so. Several regulations govern mail and parcel delivery.
Is mail taking longer than usual in 2022?
Yes. According to USPS, the average time to deliver a piece of mail or a package in the first quarter of 2022 was 2.7 days. First-Class mail delivery, which had increased to nearly 90% on-time delivery after relaxed standards last fall, fell to 86.7% in the first quarter of this year.
How long can USPS delay a package?
Something needs to be fixed if you wait more than five days for First-class and Priority Mail and more than two weeks for the other mail classes. Inform your courier that your USPS package is not moving or is trapped in transit.
Will USPS issue a refund if the package is not delivered on time?
Yes. Whenever the item is not delivered by the delivery confirmation date and time specified at the mailing time, the US Postal Service refunds the postage and, if purchased, the Sunday or holiday premium fee.
What days is USPS mail not delivered?
U.S. Postal Service typically does not make deliveries on the following days:
- New Year’s Day (January 1st)
- Martin Luther King, Jr. Day (3rd Monday of January)
- President’s Day (3rd Monday of February)
- Memorial Day (4th Monday of May)
- Independence Day (July 4th)
- Labor Day (1st Monday of September)
- Columbus Day (2nd Monday of October)
- Veterans Day (November 11th)
- Thanksgiving Day (4th Thursday of November)
- Christmas Day (December 25th)
Conclusion
The USPS is undergoing many changes, recently revealed in its ten-year plan, and operating hours may be affected. Stores with low foot traffic, in particular, may have shortened hours. This reduction would impact your ability to pick up mail and packages from your P.O. Box and ship items.
Mail delivery times may also be impacted. If your company relies heavily on shipments, you may need to adjust your pricing structure to take advantage of the USPS’s fastest mailing option – Priority Mail. If you send payments or ship items via USPS First-Class Mail, allow for longer delivery times as a precaution.
