Does the USPS Deliver on Sundays? - Your FAQs ANSWERED

If you’ve been eagerly anticipating a package or letter delivery and the estimated delivery date just so happens to fall on a Sunday, you might be asking yourself…wait. Does the United States Postal Service deliver on Sundays? 

Ever since childhood we’ve been taught that mail doesn’t come on Sundays. But with the jump in online shopping during the pandemic and the ubiquity of the newly expected 48-hour delivery window…can you open up your mailbox on Sunday and find something inside?

The quick answer? Yes…and no.

Here’s a comprehensive guide on everything you need to know about USPS Sunday deliveries.  
usps delivery

What does the USPS deliver on Sundays?

Contrary to popular belief, the USPS does in fact deliver certain items on Sundays. Depending on your location and local resources, the USPS frequently delivers Priority Mail Express packages and certain Amazon packages on the weekends. 

These deliveries are a pretty new development though! In 2021, Amazon and USPS signed an agreement to allow Sunday deliveries due to upticks in shipping around the holidays. And they recently renewed that agreement for 2022. (Good news for those present-buying procrastinators!)

What does this mean for you? Well, certain packages (from Amazon) in large metropolitan areas can arrive on Sundays via the USPS year round. The last three Sundays leading up to Christmas are also special package delivery days to ease up the crazy Monday mail rush. Unfortunately, this agreement still only applies to major cities like Los Angeles, New York, and Chicago. But there are still ways to grab your long-awaited packages no matter where you are! This agreement also leaves out ground mail delivery, but if you’re like us, that’s no problem—no one wants their Sunday interrupted with a credit card bill.

Do Sunday deliveries cost more?

It depends! Sunday deliveries coming through Amazon don’t cost anything extra for the delivery itself, but if you’re not an Amazon Prime member, you might have to foot the extra bill for next-day or two-day shipping.

On the other hand, Priority Mail Express delivery service starts at $27.25 with additional costs for weekend delivery. That doesn’t mean you can’t get your packages, it just means they might come at a price. Depending on your local Post Office hours, you can also arrange for Free Package Pickup on these items if direct delivery isn’t available. 

If you want to find out about Priority Mail Express for your area, you can always check with the fine folks at the USPS. Their shipping map is easy to navigate. 

What if I paid for Sunday delivery and my package doesn’t arrive?

If you pay extra for Sunday shipping and your package never arrives, you can always contact USPS for a refund on expedited shipping costs. Generally, all Sunday packages should arrive by 6:30 PM local time. 

The bad news is that unfortunately a lot of packages are still experiencing heavy delays—especially those traveling across country borders. There are even countries that the USPS currently cannot deliver to because of a lack of resources or mail service suspension. 

Does that mean it’s never worth it to pay for Sunday delivery? Absolutely not! Just keep in mind that if you need something delivered in a specific timeframe that it might be best to order local. 

Are there days I cannot receive packages?

Sunday or no Sunday, there are days when you simply cannot get a package. Luckily, they are few and far between. And odds are, you’re already spending these Federal Holidays with your loved ones! 

Days to avoid urgent package orders for 2022/2023 are: 

  • Christmas Day: 12/25/22 AND 12/26/22
  • New Years’ Day: 1/1/23 AND 1/2/23
  • Martin Luther King Jr. Day: 1/16/23
  • Presidents’ Day: 2/20/23
  • Memorial Day: 5/29/23
  • Juneteenth National Independence Day: 6/19/23
  • Independence Day: 7/4/23
  • Labor Day: 9/4/23
  • Columbus Day: 10/9/23
  • Veterans Day: 11/11/23
  • Thanksgiving Day: 11/23/23
  • Christmas Day: 12/25/23

Do non-USPS deliveries come on Sundays?

  • Yes. Both FedEx and UPS deliver regularly on Sundays. However, both services cost more than standard USPS shipping. Additionally, FedEx—while fast—only delivers to specific areas on weekends. If you’re in Montana, Idaho, or Wyoming, we’re afraid you’re out of luck. 

    This leaves us with one important question: is there a universal solution for Sunday shipping

Avoid the hassle with a virtual mailbox or mail forwarding service

We can all agree that our hard-working USPS workers deserve their days off, but that doesn’t make urgent deliveries any less urgent! If you’re struggling with the mail waiting game, it’s time to try out a virtual mailbox or mail forwarding service like Traveling Mailbox.

Originally designed for travelers, Traveling Mailbox is also the ideal solution for people who need their mail now. As the holidays approach, you don’t have any time to waste on delayed checks or packages. With Traveling Mailbox, you can see your mail in real time, request check deposits on your behalf, and manage package forwarding services for ideal delivery times. Standard shipping might be dependent on the day of the week, but you don’t have to be. Try Traveling Mailbox today for a brighter holiday season and a happier new year!