USPS refining service standards to improve delivery, cut costs

The United States Postal Service is refining its service standards to improve delivery predictability and reliability while generating an estimated $36 billion in savings over the next decade.

The adjustments will affect First-Class Mail, Periodicals, Marketing Mail, Package Services—including Bound Printed Matter, Media Mail and Library Mail—USPS Ground Advantage, Priority Mail and Priority Mail Express.

The refinements will occur in two phases: April 1 and July 1

The refinements will maintain the existing First-Class Mail and USPS Ground Advantage service standard day ranges, ensuring that standard First-Class Mail delivery will not exceed five days.

Additionally, the changes will:

• Improve service predictability and reliability.
• Provide 2-3-day turnaround service within certain regions.
• Introduce flexibility in regional transportation schedules, which may extend service by one day for mail collected at specific Post Offices but overall enhance delivery speeds between regions.

USPS has also introduced new online tools and a fact sheet to help customers understand the expected delivery times.

The USPS has launched several resources:

Now available: Updated service standard specifications on PostalPro and a revised service standards API on the USPS Developer Portal.

Starting March 24: Customers can check service standards on USPS.com by entering ZIP codes and mailing dates. An interactive map will also be available to display expected delivery times based on mail class.

For more details on the service standard changes, customers can visit USPS Delivering for America.