USPS used to only work Monday to Saturday, but lately I’ve noticed the USPS cart out-and-about on Sundays.
So does USPS deliver on Sundays now? We looked into it and this is what we found….
Does USPS Deliver On Sundays?
USPS, or the United States Postal Service, delivers only two classes of mail on Sundays, and these are USPS Priority Mail Express and Amazon Packages. USPS Priority Mail Express is also called USPS Overnight.
This article takes a look at USPS Sunday shipping: what it is, how it works, and how you can find and use it.
Which USPS Mail and Shipping Services Deliver On Sundays?
Only USPS Priority Mail Express items will be delivered to you on Sundays. This is because Priority Mail Express comes with a guaranteed next day (to two day) delivery. A delivery on Sunday is often the only way USPS can honour this guarantee.
If you visit the USPS Mail and Shipping Services information page on their website, you’ll see the different mail services set out in a handy comparison table.
Priority Mail Express is the first service listed, and you see a ship online tab and learn more tab under the heading.
The learn more tab will take you to all the features and pricing you need to know. You’ll note that Priority Mail Express is the fastest service and features “Sunday and holiday delivery available in many major markets for an additional fee.”
This additional fee is available in the price list, but by following up on this feature in the Domestic Mail Manuel, you’ll find stated that “Customers not desiring delivery on a Sunday or a holiday may avoid the premium by opting for guaranteed delivery on the subsequent delivery day.”
The delivery of Amazon packages by USPS on Sundays is part of an agreement between the two companies. Currently, Amazon continue to make use of USPS carriers for their “last mile deliveries.”
While USPS Priority Mail Express deliveries are usually completed by 6.30pm on a Sunday, the delivery window for Amazon packages is a little wider. These deliveries may not be completed until up to 10pm, depending on the volume of packages to be dropped off.
Have USPS Ever Delivered General Mail On Sundays?
In the past, USPS have issued statements concerning changes to their regular delivery schedules. This happens when the volume of deliveries is so high they have no choice but to extend shipping services – usually to include Sundays – in order to keep the mail moving.
The most likely time for this to happen is around Christmas time. USPS will issue some kind ofFAQ — Sunday Holiday Package Delivery statement.
During these times, USPS will deliver Priority Mail Packages, and first-Class Packages as well as Priority Mail Express items on Sundays.
The decision to do this is usually made at a local level, and the decision to cease the extra deliveries will also be made by local USPS staff.
USPS say that the decision to withdraw Sunday deliveries is purely “based on the volume on hand to keep the network clear and moving.”
Does USPS Deliver On Saturdays?
Saturdays for USPS are just another regular working day. Priority Mail Express, First Class Mail, First Class Package, and USPS Retail Ground all include Saturday deliveries.
Deliveries are completed between 9am and 5pm, although when the volume of mail is extremely high, deliveries may be delayed until later into the evening.
Other delays can be caused by weather conditions, road and traffic conditions, staff availability, natural disaster, and on delivery destinations.
Which Shipping Companies Deliver On Sundays?
If you’re keen to know about Sunday delivery options, you’ll be pleased to know that there are two companies that offer regular Sunday deliveries.
These include:
- FedEx Home Delivery delivers every day of the week including Saturdays and Sundays. FedEx claim to be able to reach nearly 95% of the population on Sundays. There are no additional fees for their weekend deliveries, and you can customize your shipping arrival times.
- United Parcel Service (UPS) offer weekend pickup and delivery, specifically offering Sunday delivery via SurePost service.
Want to learn more about USPS? Check out our related post to learn if USPS accepts FedEx returns, does USPS deliver at night and does USPS ship internationally.
Conclusion…
Being able to schedule your package deliveries on Sundays is convenient for both personal and business items.
However, you’ll have to check your shipping company’s delivery schedules to find out if they offer it and what it might cost you.
USPS, for example, do offer Sunday delivery, but only through a select number of shipping options.