The U.S. Postal Service is ready to deliver

By Jonathan Castillo

No holiday surcharges and key 'Delivering for America' investments position USPS for success

The United States Postal Service is ready to deliver another successful holiday season.

“Our 2022 peak season was a tremendous success,” said Postmaster General Louis DeJoy.

“We are ready to deliver for the holidays in a superior and routine manner. We have been planning early and leveraging investments in our people, infrastructure, transportation and technology — made possible by the Delivering for America plan. And with no holiday surcharges, we are strongly positioned to be America’s most affordable delivery provider this holiday season.”

In 2022, USPS processed more than 11.7 billion mailpieces and packages during the holiday season. On average, it took just 2.5 days to deliver a mailpiece or package.

Throughout 2023, the organization has built upon its successes and maintained even stronger service performance.

Thanks to the ongoing implementation of the Delivering for America plan, 98 percent of the nation’s population currently receives their mail and packages in fewer than three days, and 40 percent of First-Class Mail and packages are being delivered a day in advance.

The Postal Service is also working to correct service-related issues in limited areas across the nation through hiring initiatives and improving operational efficiency.

During a media webinar Sept. 19, the organization also announced it will not levy additional surcharges for customers this holiday season, offering increased predictability in pricing. There will be no additional fees for residential area delivery, for Saturday delivery or for minimum volumes.

USPS has also made key investments ahead of the holiday season, including:

• Hiring 10,000 seasonal employees. The organization has converted more than 150,000 precareer workers into career positions since October 2020.
  
  Because of this success, USPS anticipates the need to hire only an additional 10,000 seasonal employees.
• Using 348 new package sorting machines. These units enable employees to sort and process packages of all sizes more quickly and reliably.
  
  The Postal Service has installed 348 new package processing machines across the nation since the beginning of 2021, including 100 sorting machines since last year’s holiday season. An additional 47 machines will be installed ahead of this year’s holidays.
  
  The equipment is part of the organization’s $40 billion investment in new technology and facilities under the Delivering for America plan.
• Increasing daily processing capacity to more than 70 million. USPS has expanded its daily package processing capacity to 70 million — an increase of approximately 10 million over last year’s capacity.
  
  Since 2020, the Postal Service has nearly tripled its daily package processing capacity. This allows for packages to move through the postal network more quickly and eliminates the need for the leasing of temporary annexes.
• Moving 95 percent of volume via more reliable ground transportation. USPS has adapted its transportation and logistics processes to handle the high mail and package volumes expected during peak season.
  
  The Postal Service continues to move mail and package volume from expensive air transportation to its redesigned ground transportation network.
  
  Currently, 95 percent of First-Class Mail and more than 95 percent of packages are moved through the improved, more reliable ground transportation system.
• Offering USPS Ground Advantage^™. This new shipping offering — which provides a simple, reliable and more affordable way to ship packages with an expected delivery time of just 2-5 business days across the contiguous United States ¬— is an ideal choice for customers looking to ship holiday gifts.

“We understand the importance of every single package and letter that is sent during the holidays,” said DeJoy.

“That is why we continue to adapt and execute on strategies to modernize and transform the Postal Service into the high-performing organization the nation expects and deserves. I am confident in our ability to handle the peak season surge and deliver exceptional service to the American people during the holidays and beyond.”

More information on tools and tips to help customers prepare for the busy holiday season can be found in the online USPS Holiday Newsroom.