If USPS is part of your fulfillment strategy (and let’s be real, for many sellers it is), heads up: USPS shipping standards are changing. Phase 1 is already in motion, and Phase 2 lands on July 1.
The United States Postal Service is in the middle of a major refresh—part of its plan to improve delivery consistency, trim costs, and make shipping a little more predictable. For online sellers, that means now’s the time to double-check how these changes could impact your fulfillment flow.
Here’s what’s shifting, what’s staying put, and how to stay ahead.
A Billion-Dollar Tune-Up for Your Mailbox
This is all part of USPS’s “Delivering for America” plan. The big idea? Make the Postal Service financially sustainable and more efficient over the next decade.
By refining its service standards and upgrading logistics systems, USPS is aiming to save a projected $36 billion—yeah, billion with a B. That includes cutting unnecessary transportation costs, improving delivery consistency, and reducing work hours where it counts.
Let’s Break Down the Delivery Makeover
Here’s the simplified breakdown:
- First-Class Mail: No changes. Still your classic 1–5 day delivery window.
- Marketing Mail, Periodicals & Package Services: These are getting tighter service standards—translation: more reliable delivery times.
- Delivery Time Tools: USPS is rolling out updated resources to check estimated delivery windows by ZIP code and mail class. Handy if your customers love to check tracking 17 times a day (you know the type).
The goal isn’t speed for speed’s sake—it’s consistency. And for sellers, that’s a win. You can better forecast shipping windows, set expectations, and keep your CS team from playing detective.
What Sellers Should Do Right Now
If you use USPS in your shipping mix, now’s the time to double-check your fulfillment flow.
- Review your SLAs to make sure they still line up with USPS timelines.
- Adjust your shipping rules in your backend tools if needed.
- Update your customer messaging to avoid the dreaded “Where’s my order?” avalanche.
Even small tweaks to delivery standards can ripple through your ops if you’re not prepped. Staying ahead of the change keeps you looking sharp and stress-free.
Shipping Smarter Starts Here
The USPS isn’t slowing down—they’re optimizing. And while change can feel like a curveball, this one could make life easier for merchants in the long run.
So if you’re using USPS for your last-mile deliveries (or just trying to figure out what changes mean for your biz), this is your reminder to check your shipping setup and make sure it’s still working for you—not against you.
Need a tool that helps you stay agile no matter what the carriers are up to? That’s kinda our thing. Let’s keep your fulfillment flowing.