Does USPS Deliver on Saturday?

In today’s fast-paced world, where speed and efficiency are prized above all else, reliable mail services have become indispensable. 

Whether it’s important official documents, crucial business letters, essential packages, or even just a simple piece of mail, we all expect them to reach their destinations promptly. With our busy schedules, we not only rely on postal services during the traditional workweek but also anticipate deliveries on Saturdays—a day when many of us have the chance to catch up on personal matters or tie up loose ends before the upcoming week begins.

However, the question remains: Does the United States Postal Service (USPS) deliver mail on Saturdays? This article aims to delve into this topic and provide a comprehensive guide to USPS Saturday delivery. We will explore the details, including the hours of operation and the rules governing weekend mail delivery, ensuring that all your doubts about USPS delivery will be addressed. 

So, let’s embark on this enlightening journey and uncover the truth about USPS Saturday delivery!

Does USPS Deliver on Saturdays?

Yes, USPS does delivers on Saturdays. The delivery is typically made by 5 pm on Saturday similar to regular business days.

You can receive mail on Saturday, and your mail will also reach its destination on Saturday. In terms of delivery time, your local mail delivery time is determined by where you are along the delivery route. 

Due to conditions like unfavourable weather and heavy demand for mail during holidays, mail delivery may occasionally take time.

Also Read – Is there Mail Today? USPS Holidays in 2023

What are the USPS Delivery Hours on Saturdays?

Most of the customers want to receive their packages early on Saturday. They expect to get their mail by 14:00. USPS also strives to deliver as quickly as the customer expects. However, in peak seasons and in winter, the delivery can sometimes be delayed up to 18:30 hours due to natural conditions, like storms.

The greater or lesser distance between the warehouse and the mail’s destination also affects whether the delivery will be early or late. The delivery may be delayed if there is a great distance between the warehouse and the destination. 

But, if you choose the USPS Priority Mail Express option, you can count on getting your packages on Saturday morning by 10:30 am.

How long Does USPS deliver on Saturdays?

You can expect your package to arrive late on Saturday, as it is not a business day. But, it is not so. Like other business days, your package can reach by 5 pm. But some factors may delay the delivery, and the postal service’s last hour of working hours may cross 17:00. You can receive your package or letter by 18:30.

This situation usually occurs on special days, like New Year’s and Thanksgiving. The US Postal Service is closed only on Sundays. The USPS strives to deliver all types of mail on time, six days a week, except for the Sunday holiday.

Thankfully, USPS has launched a new service called “Informed Delivery” to assist customers in tracking mail deliveries. This is a Free service, so you will know what type of mail you will receive daily. 

Does USPS Charge Extra for Saturday Delivery?

The USPS offers fantastic deals for customers that require First-Class Mail and USPS Retail Ground Mail delivered on Saturdays, where delivery does not cost extra.

But, there needs to be an assurance that the USPS will deliver mail on Saturdays consistently. On Saturdays, USPS provides Priority Mail Express packages and Priority Mail at no additional cost. The weight and destination of your package will determine the final cost of each USPS service.

What if I still need to Receive My Mail Which is Expected to Arrive on Saturday?

If you were expecting a letter or package to be delivered on Saturday, and it did not reach you, check what type of mail you used. If you used specific Priority Mail or Priority Mail Express, you can claim a refund for undelivered mail from the US Postal Service.

Is USPS Open on Saturdays?

USPS is open on Saturdays. You will find post offices open on Saturdays, but not all remain open that day. That’s why you should first check whether any specific post office will be open on Saturday or not.

Also Read – Does USPS deliver on Sundays? 2023 Updates

What are the Business Days and Hours of the USPS Office?

If you need to ship mail or check your PO box to see if any mail has arrived, check USPS operating hours. Every day except Sunday is a USPS working or business day. On five days of the week, i.e. from Monday to Friday, the working hours of the post office are from 8 am to 6 pm.

However, the working hours of different post offices may be different. Some post offices close earlier. To fulfil your postal needs, check the business hours of the post office you want to visit. 

The USPS delivers mail on Saturdays, but their business hours are a few hours longer on Saturdays. All post offices in the United States are closed every Sunday and on Federal holidays.

Always Keep it in mind when shipping any items. Holidays and shortened business hours can impact Priority Mail shipping times. This is because Priority Mail usually gets delivered in 1, 2, or 3 days.

Also Read – Does UPS Deliver To PO Boxes?

Do You Have to Pay for Tracking on Weekends?

You can determine when your mail will be delivered using USPS’s “Informed Delivery” tracking service. With Weekend Mail, tracking is a standard feature of USPS Priority Mail as well as Priority Mail Express. This is a Free service. USPS does not charge for tracking mail delivery.

The data you have access to through tracking during the week is also available to you on the weekend. Although First-Class mail doesn’t come with tracking, you can add it when you pay for postage. So, keep this thing in mind while purchasing postage stamps.

Also Read – Where Can I Buy Stamps Besides The Post Office?

Check Your Mail with a Virtual Mailbox

You can check your mail from the Virtual Mailbox any time, any day of the week. This enables you to access your mail whenever you want on your PC, laptop, or smartphone. This is a great tool because it allows you to check the status of your mail whenever you want, regardless of USPS operating hours. 

Is there a “Rule of Thumb” for Estimating USPS Delivery Time Windows?

While USPS makes every effort to ensure your mail reaches you on time, there is no guaranteed delivery time window, such as UPS, FedEx, DHL, etc. Sometimes USPS mail arrives sooner than you anticipate. There are a variety of causes for postal service delivery delays, including terrible winter storms, power outages, floods, etc.

The best option to get your package delivered faster compared to regular mail is to use Priority Mail Express. Delivery is guaranteed between one and three business days. Plus, it is accessible 356 days a year.

Also Read – 12 Reasons Why Your DHL Shipment On Hold

What Time Does the Post Office Close on Saturdays?

Different post offices close at different times on Saturdays. When your local post office closes will depend on your location. On Saturdays, certain post offices are open for a few hours. Some post offices shut down at 10 am, while others do so at 12:30 pm. 

On the weekend, many USPS locations close by 4 pm. You’ll need to check the hours of operation for your local post office on Saturday and when post offices are closed on Saturday.

What Days Does USPS Not Deliver?

On Sundays and Federal holidays, the USPS does not deliver standard mail. The USPS skips a holiday if you mail on that day. For example, if you sent something on December 24 before Christmas Day using Priority Mail Express service, the USPS will consider December 26 the next day under Priority Mail Express service.

Also Read – Shipping Deadlines: Here’s When to Send Via USPS, FedEx, & UPS For the Holidays

US Postal Service Holidays 

Day	Date	Holiday Name
Monday	January 2, 2023 (Observed)	New Year’s Day
Monday	January 16, 2023	Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
Monday	February 20, 2023	Presidents Day
Monday	May 29, 2023	Memorial Day
Monday	June 19, 2023	Juneteenth
Tuesday	July 4, 2023	Independence Day
Monday	September 4, 2023	Labor Day
Monday	October 9, 2023	Columbus Day
Monday	November 11, 2023	Veterans Day
Thursday	November 23, 2023	Thanksgiving Day
Wednesday	December 25, 2023	Christmas Day

Can You Schedule USPS Delivery on the Weekend?

USPS deliveries cannot be scheduled for the Weekend. Nevertheless, you can check with the USPS to see if mail delivery is possible on a Saturday. Depending on the carrier and shipping method, you may or may not expect delivery on Saturday.

Priority Mail guarantees a Friday, Saturday, or Monday delivery window for items delivered on Tuesdays or Wednesdays. The majority of the time, Priority Mail Express packages shipped on a Thursday will arrive on a Friday or Saturday.

Deliveries made by USPS Priority Mail arrive before Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday. Therefore, it is almost assured that a Priority Mail Express package shipped at the start of the week will reach by Thursday or Friday.

Also Read – Are USPS Boxes Free? How Order & Save Money on Shipping

Types of Delivery Services the USPS Offers

USPS offers various domestic mail as well as shipping services. These are described below:

1. Priority Mail Express

The USPS’ Priority Mail Express service is the fastest domestic mail delivery method. It is available 365 days a year and has a money-back guarantee. It ships packages to PO boxes as well as all other US locations. 

The cost of Priority Mail Express service starts at $25.5 in post offices and online. The best option for quick package delivery is Priority Mail Express.

Features of Priority Mail Express –

• Free package pickup from your home or office
• Includes a record-keeping digital signature and USPS tracking
• Provides a $100 insurance policy
• On weekends and holidays, there is an extra charge for overnight delivery

2. Priority Mail

Depending on the specific mail or package, where it comes from, and where it is going, shipping can take anywhere from 1 to 3 days. For packages weighing up to 70 pounds, the Priority Mail flat rate option waives the weight requirement. 

You can get it online and at every post office location. Its price starts at $7.35. Priority Mail is ideal if your shipment weighs more than 13 ounces and you require quick delivery at a reasonable cost.

Features of Priority Mail –

• Shipping takes one to three days
• Pickup of packages is free
• Contains USPS Tracking
• Includes a $50 maximum insurance
• No fuel cost 
• Saturday delivery as usual

Restrictions –

• The package should not weigh more than 70 lbs
• Length and girth must be limited to 108 inches
• A flat-rate box or envelope should be sealed by folding the flaps of the container over the standard folds

3. First-Class Mail

First-Class Mail is a cost-effective USPS mail service that is effective for sending small packages and envelopes. Moreover, First-Class Forever stamps can cover up to 1 oz of letter or envelope. Even if the cost of the stamp goes up, it remains valid. 

Choose First-Class Mail service for your package weighing 13 ounces. Your package will be delivered in 3 working days.

Features of First-Class Mail –

• Distance doesn’t impact its Rates 
• No fuel or home delivery fees
• Fast and reasonably priced for light shipments
• Delivers in one to three business days
• Insurance coverage up to $5000 
• Maximum weight limit 13 oz
• For cards and letters, the first 3.5 ounces of package weight are free

Restrictions –

• First-Class mail letters should not weigh more than 3.5 oz
• Large First-Class postal packages and envelopes should not weigh more than 13 oz
• Postcards and envelopes must all be rectangular

First-Class Mail is an ideal option for:

• Standard-sized, single-piece envelopes weighing up to 3.5 oz
• Large envelopes
• Little packages weighing up to 13 ounces

Also Read – How Many Stamps Do I Need for a Large Envelope

USPS Retail Ground

For ground transportation of unusual packages, USPS Retail Ground is affordable and reliable. Retail Ground is a superior mail class for immediate delivery, delivering packages over 70 pounds. For oversized packages, this mailing service is worth considering.

Features of USPS Retail Ground –

• Package weight and length restrictions are 70 pounds and 130 inches, respectively
• USPS tracking is free
• 2–8 business days for delivery
• Exclusive to USPS post offices
• Excellent for shipments deemed too large for Priority Mail and Priority Mail Express delivery

Restrictions –

• It can only be used for shipments that are up to 70 pounds and 130 inches in length
• Large packages are charged more for being oversized

Media Mail

Only books, CDs, LPs, and videos qualify for Media Mail. It is subject to some limitations. The package might be lovely and padded, but it won’t be plain and plain with extra cushioning. A book cannot be bubble wrapped and placed inside a manila envelope.

If you wish to use a box, you can just put books inside it. Like newspapers, anything with an advertisement on it cannot be sent. All media mail packages are subject to scrutiny.

This indicates that the USPS has full authority to examine and open them. USPS will return the Media Mail delivery of newspapers or magazines as Postage Payable.

A cheap option for shipping educational materials is Media Mail. But, because the USPS operates using a “Location Available” strategy, this mailing service may be delayed at times. Hence, media mail is only permitted if there is room, and all other types of mail are transported on the first trip.  

Delivery of the package can be delayed if there isn’t enough room. Books, DVDs, and similar items for educational purposes can be shipped at affordable costs via Media Mail. However, you cannot expect fast delivery from media mail.

Features of Media Mail –

• No fuel or home delivery charges 
• The least expensive choice for anything weighing more than 13 ounces
• The maximum package weight limit is 70 pounds
• The price is decided according to the weight of the package
• Delivers in 2–8 business days

Restrictions –

• The packaged weight must not exceed 70 pounds

Materials you can send with Media Mail –

• Printed learning resources 
• Printed music and test materials 
• Video and sound recordings
• Computer-readable media
• Loose-leaf medical pages and binders
• Books

Also Read – How To Mail a Letter or Postcard Internationally?

Upcoming Changes to USPS

USPS occasionally changes. The USPS’s recently released 10-year plan could have an impact on hours of its operation. Stores with minimal foot traffic may now have shortened their operating hours. The collection of your mail and packages from your PO box will also be affected as a result of the reduction in business hours.

Furthermore, there may be timing issues with mail delivery. If your company relies heavily on shipments, you may need to change your pricing strategy in order to level with Priority Mail, the USPS’s fastest shipping option.

If you prefer to use USPS to send cash or goods by First-Class mail, you have to think about the long delivery time issue and whether a long delivery time will not affect your business.

Also Read – Are USPS Boxes Free? How Order & Save Money on Shipping

Conclusion

USPS is known for its strong and reliable mail service. They deliver all types of mail to every location in the US. The USPS’s variety of mail shipping services makes delivery more efficient. Depending on your preference, you can use USPS’s Priority Mail Express, First-Class Mail, Priority Mail, or USPS Retail Ground shipping service for shipping your packages.

USPS’s Saturday delivery provides additional convenience to people, where people will not have to wait until Monday for any mail delivered on Saturdays. We hope this guide has provided all the information you require about USPS Saturday delivery.