Recently updated on March 17th, 2024 at 05:51 am
The United States Postal Service (USPS) is a government agency that delivers mail and packages. The USPS provides different services, such as First-Class Mail, Priority Mail, and Parcel Post.
The service is available on all weekdays, including weekends. However, there may be minor changes during public holidays announced by the government. If the holiday falls on a Saturday, you may expect the package to be delivered the next day, Sunday.
The USPS observes 11 national holidays, including Martin Luther King Jr. Day, on January 17. In essence, post offices will be closed on that day, and there will be no regular mail deliveries and packages.
Here are the Postal Service holidays you should expect in 2024:
USPS Holidays – Days the post office is closed this year and next.
To ease the uncertainty of which holidays apply, the USPS has provided an online service where you can check the specific holiday dates. The resource presents a table list of USPS Holidays for this current year. Click here.
This resource will let you know if the post office is open on a particular date.
However, some post offices offer online services 24/7, including public holidays. Once you log in to your USPS account, you can order postage stamps, order boxes, print your shipping labels, schedule package pickup, etc.
Read More About: Does USPS Deliver on Sunday?
Are FedEx and UPS Open on U.S. Postal Service Holidays in 2024?
You should note that the USPS is not the only delivery service in the U.S. There are two other major players, FedEx and UPS, although they are private companies, unlike the USPS. While the USPS has holidays that affect shipping times throughout the year, FedEx and UPS may have different holiday schedules.
These other major delivery companies may set their schedules and have partial or full operations, even on some federal holidays. For instance, most FedEx and UPS will be available on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, including their retail locations.
However, you should note that the US Postal Service is the online service provider that offers the same-day delivery option for shipments. You don’t get this offer from FedEx and UPS, but they provide next-day deliveries.
Post offices are always open for work during regular days, although some locations may close early. Also, adequate staffing challenges mean that only some of their services are always available. Use the Postal Service’s Find USPS Locations online or call Ask USPS to check your local post office.
What days mail was not delivered in 2024
Before now, the USPS has maintained delivery service on all six days of the week except Sunday. However, the mail company is considering stopping Saturday deliveries due to financial constraints.
Don’t be kept in the dark. Check the specific operating hours of your local USPS location by visiting the official locator page on the USPS site.
What are the anticipated changes for delivery and mailing services on those holidays?
Generally, on selected holidays, the service of the USPS will be completely unavailable. As such, you may expect considerable delays in your package or mail delivery. However, the USPS may still conduct deliveries in areas with high package volumes.
To know if your area falls into this category, check the official locator page on the USPS site to know if the nearest retail location will open on that specific holiday.
Usually, USPS does not operate Sunday deliveries. However, if the holiday falls on a Saturday, you should expect the delivery on the next day, that is, Sunday.
USPS Holiday Shipping Restrictions and What You Need to Know
The United States Postal Service (USPS) has restrictions on the packages they ship during the holiday season. The reason for these restrictions is the expected delay with holiday delivery services. The items that fall into this slightly restricted category include:
1) Live animals
These include insects and reptiles. The restriction is because the USPS can’t assure their well-being in the case of delayed delivery.
2) Live Plants
You can only ship live Plants within the Continental USA if you place them in a container and don’t require special care or handling.
3) Food Items
The USPS will not ship any food products, including canned items or those opened or have an expiration date.
4) Hazardous Products
Materials that can be considered hazardous, including aerosols, alcohol-based products, lighter fluid, paints or paint thinners, pool chemicals, and other household chemicals, are also restricted. This is because they generally tend to be dangerous when shipped by air.
When is the Post Office open on those holidays?
The U.S. Post Office is generally open on most holidays, but certain exceptions are. These exceptions include New Year’s Day (January 1), Independence Day (July 4), Thanksgiving Day (November 24), and Christmas Day (December 26), among a few others.
Upcoming U.S. Postal Service Holidays in 2025
The United States Postal Service has announced that they will be closing on the following days:
| Day | Date | Holiday Name |
| Wednesday | January 1, 2025 | New Year’s Day |
| Monday | January 20, 2025 | Martin Luther King, Jr. Day |
| Monday | February 17, 2025 | Presidents Day |
| Monday | May 26, 2025 | Memorial Day |
| Monday | June 16, 2025 | Juneteenth |
| Friday | July 4, 2025 | Independence Day |
| Monday | September 1, 2025 | Labor Day |
| Monday | October 13, 2025 | Columbus Day |
| Tuesday | November 11, 2025 | Veterans Day |
| Thursday | November 27, 2025 | Thanksgiving Day |
| Thursday | December 25, 2025 | Christmas Day |
How can I find out if the post office is open or closed on a holiday?
If the nearest post office is open or closed on a holiday, you can look up their hours on their Locator Tool Portal. The portal lists the available hours for each day of the week for each post office unit.
Alternatively, you contact USPS via the phone numbers listed on its Contact Us page. You will get to speak with the Customer Care Center, giving you specific information about their hours for a particular day.
Final Thoughts
The US Postal Service is almost always open on all days of the year. While the specific hours for each outlet or retail location may differ, you can expect all-year-round service. However, as with all federal organizations, it observes federal holidays and would mainly not provide its services on those days.
Nonetheless, it has made provisions for situations like this. We have provided sufficient information to help you work around the USPS holidays.
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