UPS, USPS package delivery changes: Here’s what you need to know

On By Littum

SurePost package deliveries can now only be shipped to the 48 contiguous US states and have an estimated transit time of two to six days.

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US Postal Service (USPS) workers will no longer deliver UPS SurePost packages after the government agency’s contract with the package service expired this year.

The International Brotherhood of Teamsters, a union representing UPS delivery drivers, confirmed that the negotiated service agreement expired in a Facebook post last week.

“Millions of packages moved away from SurePost and the United States Postal Service and returned to UPS package trucks this month, and they are now being sorted and delivered by hard-working UPS Teamsters.” the social media post reads.

In a statement to USA TODAY, UPS spokesman Jim Mayer said, “SurePost is a trusted finance service for less urgent packages offered by UPS to business shippers… UPS now handles SurePost packages door-to-door exclusively within our own network, with the reliability we are known for.”

USA TODAY reached out to the USPS and the International Brotherhood of Teamsters on Thursday, but has not received a response.

Here’s what you need to know about the contract expiration and what it means for UPS drivers and future SurePost deliveries.

Will this change the way I get my package?

With UPS and USPS contracts expiring, people and businesses in the U.S. will receive their SurePost packages possibly a day earlier as transit times drop from two to seven days to two to six days, according to the package service.

SurePost will no longer be available to those living in US territories, Alaska, Hawaii or Puerto Rico, according to Supply Chain divewhich cited the earlier overview of UPS SurePost. Additionally, the SurePost service will not be available for PO Box and military APO/FPO deliveries, the outlet added.

Other UPS delivery services, such as Ground, Second Day Air and Next Day Air, will continue to be available to people in US territories, Alaska, Hawaii and Puerto Rico.

“There is no impact or change to UPS’ primary delivery services, including UPS Ground, UPS Second Day Air and UPS Next Day Air,” according to UPS’s statement.

Consumers who have SurePost packages in transit that are expected to be delivered to a PO Box can have them redirected to an address by signing up UPS MyChoiceMayer said.

What does the contract mean for UPS drivers?

When the contract expires, drivers will see an increase in volume that “provides more delivery options and access to overtime for unmatched UPS Teamsters,” according to the Facebook post.

“Improved guardrails around SurePost, where smaller packages were diverted away from UPS parcel trucks to be delivered by USPS, were a critical win for UPS Teamsters during record contract negotiations in 2023,” the Facebook post reads. “Contract improvements helped ensure UPS Teamsters delivered more packages.”

With “millions” of SurePost packages going back on UPS trucks, thousands of new regular package truck driver jobs could be created, the Teamsters’ Facebook post says.

What is UPS SurePost?

According to UPSSurePost is “an economy service for your less urgent, lower value shipments.”

SurePost deliveries can be shipped to 48 US states and has an estimated transit time of two to six days. UPS said the ideal weight for SurePost packages is less than 10 pounds.

Prior to the expiration of the contract, SurePost packages could be delivered by UPS or USPS to the 48 US states, Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, all US territories, PO boxes and military APO/FPO destinations, Supply Chain dive reported. The transit time for these deliveries was estimated to be two to seven days within the United States and longer for other destinations.

What did USPS say about contract expiration?

In a statement obtained by Supply Chain Drive, a USPS spokesperson said, “Some companies have negotiated new agreements with us and some have not.”

“Previous agreements did not reflect operational and financial realities, the evolving postal network or the enhancements to our portfolio of product offerings,” the spokesman added.

The USPS had a contract with FedEx for domestic air freight services, but it expired on September 29, 2024. The government agency later selected UPS for its new air cargo contract.

“FedEx and the United States Postal Service have enjoyed a long and productive relationship for more than 20 years,” FedEx said in a statement in March. “Over time, our respective strategies have changed as we transform our network and operations for the future.”

This story was updated to add a video.