HOUSTON, TX — The U.S. Postal Service today launched our pilot of USPS Connect Local, a new offering that will help smaller businesses provide local-to-local same-day or next-day package delivery at affordable rates to customers in designated Houston and Dallas ZIP Codes. USPS Connect Local is part of a broader USPS Connect program that will help businesses of all sizes meet growing consumer demand for affordable, fast local and regional deliveries and returns.

The pilot of USPS Connect Local is rolling out initially in select locations, facilitating “Main Street” commerce by offering big-volume benefits to smaller business customers. Once business customers are enrolled in the program, they can bring their prepaid labeled packages directly to the back dock of select postal facilities close to the packages’ final destinations. In return, they will get delivery rates during the pilot that are usually only available to large-volume mailers. The Postal Service will add additional USPS Connect Local locations in the coming weeks as we refine our operational capabilities.

“USPS Connect Local will give businesses of all sizes direct access to our unmatched delivery network so packages can get on postal vehicles sooner and reach consumers more quickly. It’s unprecedented, and we’re excited to bring this offering to our customers — first in Texas, and then across the country once we demonstrate our readiness,” said Jakki Krage Strako, USPS chief commerce and business solutions officer.

USPS Connect is a major component of the organization’s 10-year Delivering for America plan and is expected to contribute to the plan’s goal of $24 billion in net revenue growth by offering direct access to the Postal Service’s delivery network.

It will also help meet today’s e-commerce expectations. According to a recent report, 87 percent of consumers say the shipping experience directly impacts their decision to shop with a merchant again. Another recent report found half of consumers (51 percent) have purchased more from local retailers over the past six months, and experts expect this trend to continue.

“We are excited that the USPS Connect Local pilot is coming first to Houston. It is another opportunity for us to help small businesses in our local community grow and succeed,” said Julia Wilbert, Houston Post Office officer in charge.

How the USPS Connect Local pilot works:

• Businesses submit their contact information at www.uspsconnect.com. A USPS representative will contact them to enroll and sign an agreement.  
• Next they will visit USPS Click-N-Ship online to enter package information, print shipping labels, prepay for postage and receive tracking numbers all in one place. No software integration needed.

• Then they will bring their labeled packages directly to the back dock of a designated local postal facility first thing in the morning (5–7 a.m.) for same-day delivery, or 30 minutes before the back dock closes to receive next-day delivery to the ZIP code areas served by that location. They will then present their SCAN form and packages to the clerk.
• Carriers will deliver the packages as part of their daily routes.

Four offices in the Houston area were chosen for the initial USPS Connect Local pilot launch:

• North Shepherd Post Office, located at 7511 N. Shepherd Drive, servicing ZIP codes 77037, 77039, 77076, 77088, 77091,77093, 77222, 77238 and 77291
• Oak Forest Post Office, located at 2499 Judiway St., servicing ZIP codes 77018, 77022, 77092 and 77292
• Beechnut Post Office, located at 11703 Beechnut St., servicing ZIP codes 77072, 77083, 77099 and 77272
• De Moss Post Office, located at 6500 De Moss Drive, servicing ZIP codes 77036, 77074, 77081, 77236 and 77274

The Postal Service is the only carrier that serves every address in every community in the country six, and often seven days a week.

The Postal Service generally receives no tax dollars for operating expenses and relies on the sale of postage, products and services to fund its operations.

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