Does USPS deliver on Saturdays (First Class, Priority, Delivery Time, Night, etc.)
Despite its limitations, the USPS, the organization that delivers our mail, is a well-oiled machine with astonishing reach.
Through wind and rain, sleet, unusual blizzards and scorching heat waves, the USPS and its carriers have been the backbone of America’s communications since the 19th century.
But does USPS deliver on Saturday? Can you get a letter, bill or package on Saturday? Here’s what you need to know.
Does USPS deliver on Saturday?
The U.S. Postal Service delivers on Saturdays, as it has done since its founding in 1863. U.S. households can deliver First Class, Priority Mail and Priority Mail Express on Saturdays, excluding holidays. In addition, senders pay no additional fees for USPS Saturday mail delivery.
To learn more about the types of mail USPS delivers on Saturdays, estimated delivery times, delivery delays, and whether you can go to your local post office on Saturdays, read on!
Does USPS deliver first class mail on Saturdays?
Despite its elitist name, First Class Mail is actually what we consider “regular” mail. This is an everyday item delivered with a stamp or two.
First Class mail does arrive on Saturdays (but not Sundays).
In fact, the USPS website proudly states that Saturday mail delivery has been a service since the organization was officially founded in 1863, and city mail delivery is free.
Yes, postmen still walk the sidewalks one day every weekend, packing your letters, bills, and (unfortunately) even junk mail in business-sized envelopes.
Does USPS deliver Priority Mail on Saturdays?
Both Priority Mail and Priority Mail Express deliver on Saturdays at no additional charge to the shipper.
These types of mail are mailed within one, two or three days, and the shipper pays a rate by weight instead of using stamps.
But again, that rate applies to priority (i.e. faster/trackable/guaranteed) shipping, not Saturday deliveries.
Is the post office open on Saturday?
Saturday is considered a regular USPS business day, so you can receive Regular Mail, Priority and Priority Express Mail, and USPS Retail Ground.
If you are shipping and the estimated delivery date is on a Saturday, you will not be charged any extra as it is the weekend.
If you’re not sending your mail by first class (or “regular”) mail with a stamp, you’ll pay the typical postage associated with whatever service you choose.
So, for example, if you send a flat-rate envelope Priority Mail Express overnight on a Friday, you won’t be charged extra when it’s delivered on a Saturday.
In this case, you will only pay the flat fee of $26.35 plus any normal additional costs you may incur (for example, distance). And you’re guaranteed it’ll be there by Saturday.
This is in contrast to Priority Mail Express, where you expect to arrive at your destination on Sunday.
Guaranteed Sunday delivery will add an additional $12.50 regardless of your original cost (the flat rate plus any additional fees).
However, Saturdays will not incur any additional charges despite being a weekend. USPS is still operating as usual.
When can I expect mail on Saturday?
For many people, you can expect mail delivery times on Saturday to be roughly the same as mail delivery times for the rest of the week.
That is, between 9:00 am and 5:00 pm
If you sent or scheduled to receive an item on Friday via Overnight Express or Priority Express, it should arrive at its destination by Saturday 10:30 AM.
Because the weather or accidents on the highway are beyond our control, or because sometimes certain times of the year are busier than others, the mail may be late.
Also, you may not receive a letter or package from First Class until 6.30pm – or in rare cases, even later.
If you mail something with Priority Express on Friday and it doesn’t arrive at its destination by 3pm on Saturday, you can actually get your money back.
When you pay the Priority Express overnight rate, that overnight service is guaranteed.
Does USPS deliver mail on Saturday night?
USPS may deliver mail on Saturday night if extenuating circumstances delay delivery.
While you don’t get your Saturday mail at 8pm on a regular basis, something can happen that causes the postman to be late, maybe once or twice in your life.
But it’s not uncommon for deliveries to be delayed until 6:30pm, depending on where you are.
When does USPS not deliver mail on Saturdays?
Saturday is a regular USPS business day, so they rarely drop Saturday mail delivery.
However, it did happen, one of the reasons being that Saturday was a bank holiday.
Whether it’s Christmas, Fourth of July or New Year’s Day, you won’t receive any mail if banks and post offices are normally closed.
For those who send mail, your recipients won’t receive their card or package until the next business day.
If Monday is a statutory holiday, it may not be until the following Tuesday.
But if it’s absolutely necessary for something to reach someone on a Saturday, which happens to be a holiday, you’re not without options.
USPS offers special holiday delivery services, such as special Sunday delivery, for Priority Express deliveries only.
Like guaranteed Sunday delivery, holiday delivery is an additional $12.50 on top of Priority Express shipping and any additional charges.
To learn more, you can also check out our related articles on whether USPS delivers on Sundays, whether USPS delivers to your home, and whether USPS delivers overnight.
in conclusion
While Saturday may be a day of rest and relaxation for many, for the USPS, it was business as usual.
Saturday is a normal delivery day; First Class mail arrives as it does the rest of the week, and mailers pay no extra for Saturday Priority and Priority Express deliveries.
