post office

Is the Post Office Open on Saturday and Sunday?

December 7, 2016 By Alexa Mason 1 Comment

There seems to be quite a bit of confusion on whether or not the United States Postal Service (USPS) post offices are open on Saturday. The post office did announce in February 2013 that they would stop delivering mail on Saturday as a way to reduce their costs. This was splashed across the news, and that’s what continues to cause some of the confusion.

While this was an announcement they made, soon afterward the Government Accountability Office came out with a report which said under current law, the post office was required to deliver mail six days a week, and couldn’t legally stop Saturday delivery. Due to the report, the USPS board of governors made the decision to delay implementation of stopping Saturday mail delivery until Congress passed legislation to provide the USPS the authority to implement a schedule allowing no delivery on Saturday. That hasn’t happened, so Saturday delivery remains in effect to this day.

Due to the confusion, a lot of people wonder if the post office is going to be open on the weekends, especially if they have an important package to send. Below you’ll find the answers to some of the most common questions.

Is mail delivered on Saturday?

Yes, mail is delivered on Saturday. While the post office has indicated that it wants to stop Saturday delivery service, they are waiting for Congress to pass a law allowing them to do so. As of right now, Congress has not passed that law.

Is the post office open on Saturday?

Maybe, it depends on the location if a post office is open on Saturday. Some post offices have Saturday hours while other post offices are closed on Saturday. Those post offices open on Saturday usually have shorter hours than from Monday through Friday. It’s best to check with your local post office to see if they are open on Saturday, and if they are open, what their hours are.

Is mail delivered on Sunday?

No, mail isn’t delivered on Sunday. The post office doesn’t deliver mail on Sunday.

Is the post office open on Sunday?

No, the post office isn’t open on Sunday (although there is an exception — see below). While you can’t get help from a USPS employee, many post offices have drop slots where you can leave your mail and it will begin to get processed for delivery. You can usually get inside a section of the post office to get mail if you have a post office box, and some post offices have weighing machines so you can calculate the cost of packages and buy postage. What basic services will be available on Sunday depends a lot on the particular post office, and you’ll need to go to find out what service your local post office does continue to offer on Sunday when it’s closed. (see what banks and credit unions are open on Sunday)

Why isn’t the post office open on Sunday?

The main reason for the post office being closed on Sunday is cost savings. It’s the same reason that the post office currently wants to stop Saturday delivery and has cut the hours of many post offices in rural areas. It simply costs too much to keep post offices open on Sunday.

Are there any exceptions when the post office is open on Sunday?

Yes, some post offices are open on Sundays before Christmas. Due to the high volume of mail going out at the end of the year for the holidays, some larger post offices remain open on the two Sundays before Christmas each year. You will need to contact your local post office to see if it happens to be one that does.

Yes, some post offices located in other retail stores are open on Sundays.The post office has also started a program where it is putting post offices inside of other retail stores such as Staples. Some of these in-store post offices are open 7 days a week, including Sunday. If you have a post office inside one of these other retail outlets, you can call to see if they are open on Sundays.

On what holidays is the post office closed?

In addition to Sunday (and some on Saturdays as well), post offices are closed and mail isn’t delivered on the following holidays during the year:

Martin Luther King, Jr. birthday: Monday, January 16, 2017

Presidents Day: Monday, February 20, 2017

Memorial Day: Monday, May 29, 2017

Independence Day: Tuesday, July 4, 2017

Labor Day: Monday, September 4, 2017

Columbus Day: Monday, October 9, 2017

Veterans’ Day: Friday, November 10, 2017

Thanksgiving Day: Thursday, November 23, 2017

Christmas Day: Monday, December 25, 2017

New Year’s Day: Monday, January 1, 2018

If you have specific questions about the services and hours of operation at your local post office, give them a call to verify their information.

Photo: kim smith

Is the Post Office Open on Veterans Day 2016?

November 8, 2016 By Alexa Mason 1 Comment

Each time a federal holiday comes around many people get confused as to what is open and what is closed. Some businesses will be operating on regular business hours while others will close. Most retailers will be open and have sales, however, nonessential government offices will be closed.

Veterans Day falls on Friday, November 11 this year. Post offices are generally open for business on Fridays so many people will be wondering, “is the post office open on Veterans Day?”

Is the Post Office Open on Veterans Day?

Post offices are closed on Veterans Day. Post offices locations generally close in observance of most federal holidays. Veterans Day happens to be one of those holidays. Because Veterans Day falls on a Friday this year, the post office will be closed on Friday. Some locations will also be closed on Saturday and Sunday.

The post office will also be closed for the following holidays through the end of 2016:

Thursday, Nov. 24 – Thanksgiving Day

Sunday, Dec. 25 – Christmas Day

What Services Are Available at the Post Office on Veterans Day?

Postal employees will not be working on Friday, however, there will be limited services still available at your local P.O. People who rent mailboxes at post office locations will still be able to access their P.O. box as they would be able to any other day of the year. Most locations have automated postage machines in the lobby of the post office. If your local post office has one of these machines you will be able to calculate and purchase postage and send outgoing mail. Mail will not be picked up from mailboxes on Veterans Day.

Mail will also not be delivered to residences or businesses on Friday unless it is Priority Mail Express. Priority Mail is delivered by the post office 365 days a year. Not all locations provide Priority Mail delivery on Sundays and holidays (like Veterans Day). Delivery is available in most major markets though. If you need to ship something on Veterans Day you should check with your local P.O. to insure that delivery is available on federal holidays.

What Days Will Mail Be Delivered?

Mail delivery service is confusing when a holiday falls in the middle or the end of the week. This is the mail schedule for the week of Veterans Day:

Sunday, Nov. 6 – Closed

Monday, Nov. 7 – Open. Regular business hours and mail service.

Tuesday, Nov. 8 – Open. Regular business hours and mail service.

Wednesday, Nov. 9 – Open. Regular business hours and mail service.

Thursday, Nov. 10 – Open. Regular business hours and mail service.

Friday, Nov. 11 – Closed for the Veterans Day holiday.

Saturday, Nov. 12 – Regular Saturday service.

What if you need to ship something on Veterans Day and cannot wait for the post office to open on Thursday? There are a few other options to ship your package.

Is FedEx Open?

FedEx is open on Veterans Day. Federal Express will provide their normal services on Friday. FedEx may have altered holiday hours on Friday. If you plan to drop items off at FedEx, check their hours of operation on Veterans Day.

Is UPS Open?

UPS is open on Veterans Day. UPS will provide normal delivery and pick up service on Veterans Day.

Photo: grassrootsgroundswell

Is the Post Office Open on New Year’s Day 2016?

December 28, 2015 By Alexa Mason 3 Comments

The Post Office has been a busy place the last few weeks with people mailing Christmas cards and packages to their friends and family. The growing popularity of online Christmas shopping has also increased the demand on postal workers. The Christmas rush may be over, but many people still have mail, such as charitable donations, that must be postmarked by the end of the year.

The post office, like banks, closes in observance of most federal holidays, but even for the most organized person post office hours can be confusing when the holiday falls on a Friday. Are Post Offices open on New Year’s Day?

Are Post Offices Open New Year’s Day?

Post offices are closed on New Year’s Day. The Post Office closes in observance of ten federal holidays each year. New Year’s Day on January 1st is the first federal holiday that the post office closes in observance of in 2016.

The Post Office will be open regular hours on New Year’s Eve, Thursday December 31st. Mail pickup from blue collection boxes will be completed at noon on New Year’s Eve. If you drop your mail in a box that is normally picked up after noon, be sure to drop it earlier on New Year’s Eve.

When Will Mail Be Delivered During The Holiday Week?

Mail delivery can be confusing when a holiday falls on Friday. Here is the mail schedule for the week:

Sunday, December 27th – Closed

Monday, December 28th – Open. Regular business hours and mail service.

Tuesday, December 29th – Open. Regular business hours and mail service.

Wednesday, December 30th – Open. Regular business hours and mail service.

Thursday, December 31st – Open. Regular business hours and mail service. Drop mail in blue boxes before noon.

Friday, January 1st – Closed

Saturday, January 2nd – Regular Saturday service.

What If I Need Postal Services on New Year’s Day?

If you need postal services on New Year’s Day and cannot wait until Saturday, there are limited services available at your local post office. Customers who rent mailboxes at postal locations will be able to access their post office box as they would on a Sunday. No new mail will be delivered to the mailbox on New Year’s Day.

Most post offices have automated postage machines in their lobbies where customers can calculate and purchase postage. The lobbies will be open on New Year’s Day to purchase postage from the automated postage machines and drop outgoing mail. Outgoing mail will not be picked up from mailboxes on New Year’s Day and will not be postmarked on January 1st.

There will be no mail delivery to residences or businesses on New Year’s Day, except for Priority Mail Express. Priority Mail Express items are delivered by the post office 365 days a year. Not all service areas are eligible for Priority Mail Express delivery on Sundays and holidays, but delivery is available in most major markets.

Is FedEx Open?

FedEx is closed on New Year’s Day. FedEx is open regular hours on New Year’s Eve and closed on New Year’s Day. The company will resume regular Saturday service on Saturday, January 2nd.

Is UPS Open?

UPS is closed on January 1st. UPS is open on New Year’s Eve with normal delivery and pick up service.

It’s important to keep in mind the holidays that the post office, FedEx and UPS close in observance of when planning for both your personal and business needs.

Are the Post Offices open or Closed on Veterans Day 2016?

November 6, 2015 By Guest Writer 1 Comment

Federal holidays can be confusing for even the most organized people. Some businesses operate on regular business hours. Other businesses are closed. Almost all retailers are open on holidays and have sales.

This year Veterans Day (Nov. 11) falls on a Friday, when the post office is normally open for business. With the holiday falling at the end of the week, many people are asking, “Is the post office open or closed on Veterans Day?”

Are Post Offices Open or Closed on Veterans Day?

Post offices are closed on Veterans Day. The Post Office closes in observance of ten federal holidays. Veterans Day, November 11th, is one of the federal holidays that the post office observes. Since Veterans Day falls on a Friday this year, the post office will be closed on Friday, November 11th. The post office will also be closed for the following holidays in 2016:

Thursday, Nov. 26 – Thanksgiving Day

Friday, Dec. 25 – Christmas Day

Although postal employees will not be working, there will be limited services available at your local post office. Customers who rent mailboxes at postal locations will be able to access their post office box as they would on a Sunday. No new mail will be delivered to the box on Veterans Day. Most post offices have automated postage machines in their lobbies where customers can calculate and purchase postage. The lobbies will be open to purchase postage from the automated postage machines and drop outgoing mail. Outgoing mail will not be picked up from mailboxes on Veterans Day.

There will be no mail delivery to residences or businesses on Veterans Day, except for Priority Mail Express. Priority Mail Express items are delivered by the post office 365 days a year (yes even on Christmas Day). Not all service areas are eligible for Priority Mail Express delivery on Sundays and holidays, but delivery is available in most major markets. If you need to ship something with delivery on November 11th, check with your post office to make sure that Sunday and holiday delivery is available at the destination.

What Days Will Mail Be Delivered?

Mail delivery service is confusing when a holiday falls in the middle of the week. This is the mail schedule for the week of Veterans Day:

Sunday, Nov. 6 – Closed

Monday, Nov. 7 – Open. Regular business hours and mail service.

Tuesday, Nov. 8 – Open. Regular business hours and mail service.

Wednesday, Nov. 9 – Closed

Thursday, Nov. 10 – Open. Regular business hours and mail service.

Friday, Nov. 11 – Open. Regular business hours and mail service.

Saturday, Nov. 12 – Regular Saturday service.

What if you need to ship something on Veterans Day and cannot wait for the post office to open on Thursday? There are a few other options to ship your package.

Is FedEx Open?

FedEx is open on Veterans Day. FedEx will provide normal delivery and pick up service on Veterans Day. If you plan to drop off at a FedEx store, check their operating hours before heading out.

Is UPS Open?

UPS is open on Veterans Day. UPS will provide normal delivery and pick up service on Veterans Day.

Are The Post Offices Open Halloween 2015?

October 27, 2015 By Amanda Blankenship 1 Comment

Holidays can get a little confusing when it comes to figuring out what is open and what is closed. The United States Postal Service (USPS) is generally closed on federal holidays and on Sundays.

Is the Post Office Open for Halloween?

Halloween is not a federal holiday so the post office, along with many other stores and services will still be available during their regular times. This Halloween just so happens to fall on a Saturday, so the post office is open. However, post office times on Saturdays vary from town to town, so check out the times at your local P.O. to find out what the hours are at your post office this Halloween.

The Post Office Closes in Observance of the Following Federal Holidays:

New Year’s Day
Martin Luther King, Jr. Birthday
Presidents Day
Memorial Day
Independence Day
Labor Day
Columbus Day
Veterans’ Day
Thanksgiving Day
Christmas Day

Halloween, however, is not one of those days, so don’t worry! You’ll still be able to drop off any packages, mail letters and use the USPS as usual. Be sure to check out your local USPS hours here.

What’s Open and Closed on Memorial Day 2015

May 23, 2015 By Jeffrey Strain Leave a Comment

The weekend of May 23 through May 25, 2015, is Memorial Day weekend. As with many federal holidays, it can get confusing as to what will and won’t be open on Memorial Day. The United States doesn’t have national holidays, so while federal employees will have Memorial Day off, people working in other sectors may or may not have the day off depending on what the company they work for decides. Since each individual workplace decides whether or not to remain open, it can get quite confusing as to what will and won’t be open. Below you’ll find a list of those places you can expect to be open and closed on Monday, May 25, 2015.

Retail Stores

Most retail stores are open. Memorial Day has become an event to drive traffic to stores at the beginning of the summer season through Memorial Day sales. Due to this, most retail outlets remain open on Memorial Day. Major retailers like Walmart, Target, Macys and Sears will all be open on May 25. The one major retailer which closes its doors for the day is Costco. You can see the list of stores which will be open and closed here.

Grocery Stores

Grocery stores are open. For those who find they need to stop by their local grocery store to get food on May 25, you’ll be happy to know that all major grocery store chains will be open. It’s important to note that some of the grocery stores will be open for holiday hours, and not their regular Monday hours. If you plan to go to the store in the evening, you may want to call to confirm they will be open when you are planning to go.

Drugstores

Drug stores are open. All three of the major national drugstores (Rite Aid, CVS, Walgreens) will be open for business on Memorial Day. Most local and independent drugstores should also be open, but you will want to call to confirm and to check their hours.

Federal, State and Local Government Offices

Government offices are closed. Since Memorial Day is a federal holiday, all government offices at the federal state and local level are closed as long as they are nonessential. Those government entities which are considered vital, such as police departments and fire stations, will remain open.

Stock Markets

Stock markets are closed. While the stock markets don’t close on every federal holiday, the two major stock markets (the New York Stock Exchange and NASDAQ) will both be closed on Memorial Day.

Banks & Credit Unions

Banks and credit unions are closed. The vast majority of banks and credit unions will be closed on Monday, May 25. There aren’t a few exceptions, but they are far and few between. You can see a complete list here.

US Postal Service

Post office branches are closed. Since the United States Postal Service is part of the federal government, post office branches will be closed on Memorial Day. There will be no mail delivered as well. Both Federal Express and United Postal Service will also be closed to observe the holiday.

Schools

Schools are closed. The vast majority of both public and private schools observe federal holidays. These institutions will not be open in order to observe the holiday.

Libraries

Libraries are closed. Libraries typically observe federal holidays, so most will be closed on May 25.

Garbage Service

Garbage service is closed. For those who typically have their garbage picked up on Monday, that service may not run depending on what city or town you live in. In many cases, garbage service is rescheduled for Tuesday, May 26, but you should check with your local garbage service to confirm.

Restaurants

In most cases, restaurants are open. If you plan to eat out on Memorial Day, you’ll be happy to know that most major chain restaurants will remain open. If you’re planning to go to a local restaurant, you will want to call to confirm that they will be open. Many independently owned restaurants close on Monday as their day off for the week, so keep this in mind.

Gas Stations

Gas stations are open. Those traveling over the Memorial Day weekend should have no problem finding gas. Most gas stations will remain open to cater to the holiday traffic, and if there is one that closes, there should be plenty of others around to fill the void.

(Photo courtesy of Dawn Paperin)