Does USPS Deliver on Saturdays?

In the fast-paced world of package deliveries and postal services, customers often find themselves wondering about the operational schedule of their chosen carrier.

One commonly asked question when it comes to postal services is whether the United States Postal Service (USPS) delivers mail on Saturdays. In this blog post, we’ll address this question and provide you with the most up-to-date information on USPS Saturday delivery.

USPS Regular Schedule

The United States Postal Service (USPS) plays a crucial role in ensuring that mail and packages reach their destinations promptly. Traditionally, USPS operates from Monday to Saturday, with regular business hours on weekdays and limited hours on Saturdays.

USPS Saturday Delivery Policy

As of now, USPS does provide mail delivery services on Saturdays. This means that if you have any important letters or packages that are scheduled to be delivered, USPS will make an effort to deliver them on Saturdays.

Usually, USPS service depends on volume of shipments and the distance from one place to another. This applies to regular mail, packages, and Priority Mail Express items.

There are a few reasons why USPS continues to deliver mail on Saturdays:

It allows the USPS to maintain a competitive edge over private shipping companies.
By providing Saturday deliveries, USPS offers a more convenience-focused service that can cater to those who may be unable to receive mail on weekdays due to work or other commitments.
Saturday delivery is particularly important during the holiday season, when the volume of mail and packages increases significantly.
- To handle the holiday rush, USPS employs additional staff and extends its delivery services to include Saturdays.
It’s important to note that not all mail services are eligible for Saturday deliveries.
- Certain services, such as First-Class Mail and Standard Post, may not have guaranteed delivery times and may not be delivered on Saturdays.

Does USPS Weekend Delivery Cost Extra?

USPS weekend delivery services do not generally cost extra. However, you may be required to pay extra based on the weight of your mail item and its destination.

While USPS delivery is a sure thing on Saturdays, Sunday delivery is not usually available with general USPS services.

However, paying extra for Priority Mail Express promises delivery in one to two business days, including Sundays. Rates start at $30.45 at your local post office.

General USPS Delivery Timelines

The USPS offers a host of services with various delivery times. If you’re asking yourself “does mail run on Saturday?” this rundown of the most common delivery times might help.

Priority Mail Express
- Delivery standard: 1-2 business days.
- Delivery days: Every day (includes Saturday and Sunday deliveries).
- Starting price: $30.45.
Priority Mail
- Delivery standard: 1-3 business days.
- Delivery days: Monday to Saturday (except holidays).
- Starting price: $9.25.
First-Class Mail
- Delivery standard: 1-5 business days.
- Delivery days: Monday to Saturday (except holidays).
- Starting price: $0.68 for letters, $0.53 for postcards, $1.39 for large envelopes.
USPS Retail Ground (Standard Post)
- Delivery standard: 2-8 business days.
- Delivery days: Monday to Saturday (except holidays).
- Starting price: $6.75.
- Keep in mind that these delivery times are influenced by:
  - USPS warehouse locations.
  - Package and mail volume.
  - Travel and distribution time.

Weekday Deliveries

From Monday to Friday, USPS follows its regular delivery schedule, ensuring that letters, packages, and priority mail are delivered to their intended recipients.
Customers can expect their mail carriers to make their rounds during these weekdays, providing a reliable service for various shipping needs.

Saturday Deliveries

Contrary to some misconceptions, USPS does indeed deliver on Saturdays.
While not all types of mail and packages are delivered on Saturdays, the USPS prioritizes certain services to continue operations during the weekend.

Special Services

Priority Mail and Priority Mail Express
- One key aspect of USPS Saturday deliveries is the emphasis on Priority Mail and Priority Mail Express services. These expedited shipping options ensure that time-sensitive packages reach their destinations faster, even on Saturdays.
- If you’ve opted for Priority Mail or Priority Mail Express, rest assured that USPS will deliver on weekends, including Saturdays.
Standard Mail and First-Class Mail
- For regular Standard Mail and First-Class Mail services, Saturday delivery is not guaranteed.
- While USPS makes efforts to deliver these types of mail on Saturdays, the service may vary based on the specific location and workload.
- It’s important for customers to check with their local post office for accurate information regarding Saturday deliveries in their area.

Can You Schedule a Pickup on Weekends?

Generally, yes! Package Pickup is another convenient USPS service:

The free pickup service allows you to pick up your packages at the nearest USPS post office location instead of waiting for them to be delivered.
Pickups can be scheduled from Mondays to Saturdays. If you need to pick up a mail item on a specific date and time, you can schedule a ‘Pickup on Demand’ for a fee.
This is another option worth considering if you don’t want to wait around for a specific delivery time or if you want to avoid missing mail items because of the unavailability of Sunday and holiday delivery.

Checking Saturday Delivery

If you’d like to confirm whether your mail or package will be delivered on a Saturday, you can easily check the tracking status:

Simply visit the USPS website and enter the tracking number provided.
- The tracking details will indicate the expected delivery day, including Saturdays if applicable.
If you’ve signed up for USPS Informed Delivery Service, you may also receive delivery updates via email, the USPS mobile app, or the online web dashboard.
A virtual mailbox such as Anytime Mailbox also allows you to check the status of your postal mail and packages:
- In the Anytime Mailbox app or online renter platform, you’ll be able to see if your mail items have arrived at your designated CMRA location.
- From there, you can request to have it opened and scanned, forwarded, or even discarded for you—any day of the week.

Missed a Physical Mail Delivery? Here’s What You Can Do

If Saturday has passed by or you missed the USPS weekend delivery window and your mail item still hasn’t been delivered, don’t despair. There are steps to help you track, locate, or file a search request for a missing piece of mail.

These steps may include USPS Mail Search, which is another USPS service that helps you find your mail. Here’s how to start:

Check the Current Status
- You may input the tracking number or enter the barcode of your expected mail item in USPS Tracking.
- You may find this number on your post office shipping receipt, sales receipt, email confirmation, or the peel-off portion of your USPS Tracking label.
Complete a Help Request Form
- This form will be submitted to your local post office to locate any missing items.
Submit a Missing Mail Search Request
- If, after seven days, the missing item hasn’t yet come up, you can submit a Missing Mail Search Request with the following information:
  - Sender mailing address.
  - Recipient mailing address.
  - Size and type of container or envelope you used.
  - Identifying information such as your USPS Tracking number(s), the mailing date from your mailing receipt, or Click-N-Ship® label receipt.
  - Description of the contents such as what it is and the brand, model, color, or size, if applicable.
  - Pictures that could help us recognize your item.

So, does USPS deliver on Saturday? Yes, they do!

In conclusion, the answer to the question, “Does USPS deliver on Saturdays?” is a resounding yes, especially for Priority Mail and Priority Mail Express services.

While the delivery of Standard Mail and First-Class Mail on Saturdays isn’t guaranteed, USPS strives to accommodate weekend deliveries when possible.
Whether it’s due to increased customer convenience or the demands of the holiday season, USPS strives to offer reliable and efficient postal services to its customers throughout the week.
If you’re expecting an important package or letter on a Saturday, USPS will make every effort to deliver it to you.
Understanding the USPS schedule and service priorities can help you plan your shipments accordingly and ensure a smooth and timely delivery experience.