When it comes to shipping packages through the United States Postal Service (USPS), it’s crucial to know that they do offer limited package delivery on Sundays for certain services. Knowing what USPS Sunday delivery entails can help you plan your shipping needs more effectively. This comprehensive guide will provide you with all the necessary information on USPS Sunday delivery, including available services, locations, fees, and hours so that you can make informed decisions when shipping with USPS.
Services With Sunday Delivery
The USPS provides Sunday delivery for only certain package types:
Priority Mail Express
Priority Mail Express is the only USPS product that comes with a money-back guarantee for delivery on Sundays. To qualify, you must send the package to one of the available Sunday delivery zones, which are primarily major metros.
Did you know that if you choose Priority Mail Express for Sunday delivery, you can expect your package to arrive by 10:30 AM? Although the delivery commitment time is 6:30 PM, most packages are delivered much earlier, giving you the convenience and peace of mind you need.
Amazon Packages
In select areas, the USPS may deliver Amazon packages on Sundays. This helps Amazon fulfill its one-day and two-day shipping promises to Prime members.
Please remember that while Amazon Sunday delivery is a convenient option, it’s important to keep in mind that it may not always be guaranteed due to local mail volume and staffing considerations.
Services Without Sunday Delivery
The USPS does not deliver the following products on Sundays:
- First-Class Mail
- Marketing Mail (aka bulk mail)
- Priority Mail
- Standard Post
- Media Mail
So if you use USPS tracking to follow a package, be aware that regular services show no progress on Sundays.
Locations With Sunday Delivery
The USPS offers Sunday delivery in select “high package volume” areas, which primarily covers major metros. Some of the areas with Sunday delivery include:
- Los Angeles, CA
- New York City metro
- Chicago, IL
- Atlanta, GA
- Boston, MA
- Dallas/Fort Worth, TX
- Philadelphia, PA
- Baltimore, MD
- Detroit, MI
However, coverage varies even within these metros. For example, parts of New York City have Sunday delivery while nearby towns may not.
There is no complete public list of exact zones with Sunday delivery. So the easiest way to confirm coverage is trying USPS tracking from the destination zip code.
If USPS shows possible delivery progress for Sundays, then the area likely has weekend service.
Checking Delivery Availability
Rather than memorize metro areas with Sunday service, use the “Track & Confirm” tool on USPS.com.
To check for Sunday delivery to a specific address:
- Enter the zip code and select “Track & Confirm”.
- Input a test tracking number, like “1Z 999 AA1 1ZZ 9999 ZZ”. The system doesn’t verify if numbers are real.
- View the “Expected Delivery Day” calendar towards the bottom. If it shows Sunday as a possible delivery date, then the address likely has weekend delivery.
This approach also works for specific addresses rather than just zip codes.
Sunday Delivery Hours
Usps sunday delivery hours depend on the area’s available resources and mail volume. So exact times vary.
However, across locations with Sunday service, most Priority Mail Express packages arrive between 7 AM and 10:30 AM. The guaranteed delivery time is 6:30 PM.
For Amazon packages delivered on Sundays, you may receive them anytime between 8 AM and as late as 9 PM in some places. But most arrive before 5 PM.
If a carrier needs to make multiple attempts for Sunday delivery, they may arrive as late as 8 PM for some addresses.
Sunday Delivery Fees and Extra Charges
Sending Priority Mail Express packages on a Sunday costs more than weekdays. USPS imposes a $15.50 surcharge per shipment.
So you must consider if faster delivery is worth paying almost $16 extra when using Sunday service. Overnight delivery during the week only costs $0.90 more than standard Priority Mail Express.
Amazon offers free standard shipping on qualifying orders, so you pay nothing extra for Sunday delivery. Just ensure your area has weekend USPS service before expecting packages from Amazon on Sundays.
No other USPS products have additional fees for Sunday delivery because they do not provide guaranteed weekend service.
Can You Send Mail on Sundays?
While USPS may deliver mail to some addresses on Sundays, post offices remain closed. So there is no mail collection or over-the-counter services available on the weekend.
On Sundays, the lobbies of post offices remain locked, which means that you cannot access P.O. boxes on this day. Additionally, the blue collection boxes are not serviced or cleared out on Sundays, which means that you cannot drop off new items until the next business day, which is Monday. However, USPS still processes existing packages on Sundays, so any packages that have already been dropped off will still be processed.
If you need to ship a package over the weekend and cannot drop it off at a post office or blue collection box, your best option is to schedule a free Carrier Pickup for qualifying packages. However, please note that the carrier will not come to pick up the package until the next scheduled business day.
5 Key Takeaways About USPS Sunday Delivery
To recap the key points on USPS Sunday operations:
- Limited Locations – Sunday delivery only exists in select major metros and surrounding suburbs. Verify availability for specific addresses.
- Few Services Qualify – Only Priority Mail Express and some Amazon packages. No regular First-Class letters or Priority Mail.
- Earlier Delivery Times – Most Sunday packages arrive between 7 AM and noon. The latest Priority Mail Express commits to is 6:30 PM.
- Extra Fees Apply – Sending Priority Mail Express on Sundays has a $15.50 surcharge. Amazon deliveries are free.
- No Post Office Access – You cannot physically drop off mail on Sundays since USPS locations are closed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are answers to some common questions about USPS Sunday package delivery services:
Does USPS deliver regular mail on Sundays?
No. USPS only delivers Priority Mail Express and some Amazon packages on Sundays, not regular mail. First-Class, Marketing Mail, Priority Mail, and Media Mail do not have Sunday delivery.
What areas of the country have USPS Sunday delivery?
Major metros and large surrounding cities are the primary areas with Sunday delivery. But coverage varies even within the same metro. Check specific zip codes with the USPS online tracker to confirm service.
What time does USPS deliver on Sundays?
Typical Sunday delivery happens between 7 AM and 10:30 AM for Priority Mail Express. Amazon packages may arrive anytime between 8 AM and 9 PM depending on location.
How much extra does Sunday delivery cost?
Sending Priority Mail Express packages on a Sunday has a $15.50 surcharge per item. Amazon’s Sunday deliveries are free. USPS does not deliver other products on Sundays.
Can I mail packages from the Post Office on Sundays?
No. All Post Office locations remain closed on Sundays, so there is no mail collection or drop-offs available. You also cannot access P.O. Boxes or use blue collection boxes on Sundays.
The Bottom Line
USPS provides Sunday delivery primarily for Priority Mail Express and Amazon packages across select metro areas and nearby suburbs. Exact coverage of USPS Sunday delivery varies by zip code.
Check availability and make shipping plans accordingly. While Sunday delivery offers faster fulfillment, you must consider if the convenience merits extra time sensitivity and costs.
Curious about what career makes the most money? Use the USPS online tracker tool to validate Sunday commitments for specific destinations and manage expectations. Additionally, schedule Carrier Pickups in advance for any packages you want to ship over the weekends.
