Are your packages really safe? Major shifts in USPS and UPS contracts could change everything for you!
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The landscape of package delivery is undergoing a major shift that could affect the way millions of Americans receive their parcels.
The longstanding partnership between the United States Postal Service (USPS) and UPS's SurePost service has come to an end, and this could have significant implications for consumers and delivery personnel alike.
Staying informed about these changes is crucial, especially when it comes to ensuring that your packages arrive safely and on time. So, what should you know about these changes?
For years, the USPS and UPS collaboration allowed for an efficient delivery system where UPS would handle the long-haul transportation of SurePost packages, and USPS would take care of the “last mile” delivery to your doorstep.
This mutually beneficial relationship helped streamline deliveries, especially to locations where UPS trucks might not travel as frequently.
However, with the contract's expiration, UPS SurePost deliveries will now be handled exclusively by UPS, bypassing the USPS entirely.
This change is poised to streamline the delivery process, potentially reducing transit times from a previous window of two to seven days down to two to six days for the contiguous 48 US states.
Before the contract expiration, 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.
While this might seem like a minor adjustment, it could mean receiving your packages a day earlier than before.
"Millions of packages moved away from SurePost and the United States Postal Service and returned to UPS package cars this month, now being sorted and delivered by hardworking UPS Teamsters." the social media post said.
UPS Spokesperson Jim Mayer also stated, "SurePost is a dependable economy service for less urgent packages offered by UPS to business shippers... UPS now handles SurePost packages door-to-door entirely within our own network, with the reliability we’re known for."
One of the more significant changes resulting from the contract's end is the limitation of SurePost service availability. Residents of US Territories, Alaska, Hawaii, and Puerto Rico will no longer have access to SurePost deliveries. Additionally, those who rely on PO Box and Military APO/FPO addresses for their deliveries will need to find alternative solutions.
For those affected by these changes, UPS still offers other delivery services such as Ground, Second Day Air, and Next Day Air, ensuring that no area is left without a delivery option.
However, these services may come at a higher cost compared to the economy SurePost option.
For consumers who have grown accustomed to receiving SurePost packages at their PO boxes, UPS offers a workaround through their UPS MyChoice service. Those with SurePost packages in transit can also sign up for the service.
By signing up, customers can redirect their packages from a PO box to a street address, maintaining the convenience of home delivery.
"There is no impact or change to UPS’s primary delivery services, including UPS Ground, UPS Second Day Air and UPS Next Day Air," as per UPS's statement.
The conclusion of the USPS-UPS SurePost contract isn't just about package delivery logistics; it also has a direct impact on the workforce. UPS drivers, represented by the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, are likely to see an increase in package volume.
Source: MyNBC5-WPTZ / Youtube.
This surge in deliveries translates to more opportunities for overtime and the potential creation of new full-time positions for package car drivers.
The Teamsters have highlighted this development as a positive outcome of their 2023 contract negotiations, emphasizing that it ensures more packages are delivered by UPS Teamsters, thereby securing jobs and improving working conditions.
SurePost was designed as an economical solution for non-urgent, lower-value shipments, ideal for packages weighing less than 10 pounds.
With the service now confined to the 48 contiguous states, consumers and businesses alike may need to reassess their shipping strategies, especially for lightweight packages that previously benefited from the cost-effective SurePost option.
The USPS has acknowledged the end of the contract with a degree of pragmatism, noting that some businesses have negotiated new agreements while others have not.
The postal service's statement suggests a focus on aligning contracts with the current operational and financial realities, as well as the evolving postal network and product offerings.
Interestingly, the USPS has also shifted its domestic air transportation services contract from FedEx to UPS, marking another significant change in the package delivery ecosystem.
"FedEx and the United States Postal Service have had a long and productive relationship for more than 20 years," FedEx said in a statement in March. "Over time, our respective strategies have shifted as we transform our networks and operations for the future."
Review your delivery options, consider signing up for services like UPS MyChoice, and keep an eye on any further developments in the shipping industry. Your packages are indeed safe, but the way they reach you might just be a little different moving forward.
Have you noticed any changes in your package deliveries? Are there concerns or tips you'd like to share with the community? Drop a comment below!
The longstanding partnership between the United States Postal Service (USPS) and UPS's SurePost service has come to an end, and this could have significant implications for consumers and delivery personnel alike.
Staying informed about these changes is crucial, especially when it comes to ensuring that your packages arrive safely and on time. So, what should you know about these changes?
For years, the USPS and UPS collaboration allowed for an efficient delivery system where UPS would handle the long-haul transportation of SurePost packages, and USPS would take care of the “last mile” delivery to your doorstep.
This mutually beneficial relationship helped streamline deliveries, especially to locations where UPS trucks might not travel as frequently.
However, with the contract's expiration, UPS SurePost deliveries will now be handled exclusively by UPS, bypassing the USPS entirely.
This change is poised to streamline the delivery process, potentially reducing transit times from a previous window of two to seven days down to two to six days for the contiguous 48 US states.
The contract between UPS and USPS for SurePost deliveries has expired, and USPS workers will no longer deliver these packages. Image source: romeosessions / Pixabay.
Before the contract expiration, 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.
While this might seem like a minor adjustment, it could mean receiving your packages a day earlier than before.
"Millions of packages moved away from SurePost and the United States Postal Service and returned to UPS package cars this month, now being sorted and delivered by hardworking UPS Teamsters." the social media post said.
UPS Spokesperson Jim Mayer also stated, "SurePost is a dependable economy service for less urgent packages offered by UPS to business shippers... UPS now handles SurePost packages door-to-door entirely within our own network, with the reliability we’re known for."
One of the more significant changes resulting from the contract's end is the limitation of SurePost service availability. Residents of US Territories, Alaska, Hawaii, and Puerto Rico will no longer have access to SurePost deliveries. Additionally, those who rely on PO Box and Military APO/FPO addresses for their deliveries will need to find alternative solutions.
For those affected by these changes, UPS still offers other delivery services such as Ground, Second Day Air, and Next Day Air, ensuring that no area is left without a delivery option.
However, these services may come at a higher cost compared to the economy SurePost option.
For consumers who have grown accustomed to receiving SurePost packages at their PO boxes, UPS offers a workaround through their UPS MyChoice service. Those with SurePost packages in transit can also sign up for the service.
By signing up, customers can redirect their packages from a PO box to a street address, maintaining the convenience of home delivery.
"There is no impact or change to UPS’s primary delivery services, including UPS Ground, UPS Second Day Air and UPS Next Day Air," as per UPS's statement.
The conclusion of the USPS-UPS SurePost contract isn't just about package delivery logistics; it also has a direct impact on the workforce. UPS drivers, represented by the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, are likely to see an increase in package volume.
Source: MyNBC5-WPTZ / Youtube.
This surge in deliveries translates to more opportunities for overtime and the potential creation of new full-time positions for package car drivers.
The Teamsters have highlighted this development as a positive outcome of their 2023 contract negotiations, emphasizing that it ensures more packages are delivered by UPS Teamsters, thereby securing jobs and improving working conditions.
SurePost was designed as an economical solution for non-urgent, lower-value shipments, ideal for packages weighing less than 10 pounds.
With the service now confined to the 48 contiguous states, consumers and businesses alike may need to reassess their shipping strategies, especially for lightweight packages that previously benefited from the cost-effective SurePost option.
The USPS has acknowledged the end of the contract with a degree of pragmatism, noting that some businesses have negotiated new agreements while others have not.
The postal service's statement suggests a focus on aligning contracts with the current operational and financial realities, as well as the evolving postal network and product offerings.
Interestingly, the USPS has also shifted its domestic air transportation services contract from FedEx to UPS, marking another significant change in the package delivery ecosystem.
"FedEx and the United States Postal Service have had a long and productive relationship for more than 20 years," FedEx said in a statement in March. "Over time, our respective strategies have shifted as we transform our networks and operations for the future."
Review your delivery options, consider signing up for services like UPS MyChoice, and keep an eye on any further developments in the shipping industry. Your packages are indeed safe, but the way they reach you might just be a little different moving forward.
Have you noticed any changes in your package deliveries? Are there concerns or tips you'd like to share with the community? Drop a comment below!
