Understanding the New USPS Service Standards

How They Affect Your ZIP Code

Big changes are coming to USPS mail delivery in 2025. Starting April 1, 2025, the Postal Service will roll out the Regional Transportation Optimization (RTO) initiative, significantly altering mail collection and delivery times across the country.

What’s Changing?

• End-of-day collections at most post offices will be discontinued. Outgoing mail will no longer be picked up in the afternoon, meaning it will sit overnight until the next morning’s delivery drop-off.
• This will add a day to delivery times for mail sent from affected post offices. To reflect this, USPS is updating its service standards.

Who Is Affected?

• The RTO applies to post offices more than 50 miles from one of 60 Regional Processing & Distribution Centers (RPDCs).
• That’s over 24,000 post offices—nearly 75% of all USPS locations./li>
• As a result, 70% of ZIP Codes and nearly half the U.S. population will experience slower outgoing mail delivery.
• Incoming mail from these locations will also slow down, impacting the entire country.

Phase Two: Some Faster, Some Slower

On July 1, 2025, USPS will implement additional service standard adjustments. While many mail routes will slow down, some delivery times will improve:

• 3-day delivery may become 2 days
• 4-day delivery may become 3 days
• 5-day delivery may become 4 days

These improvements will apply selectively based on the origin and destination of the mail. Meanwhile, USPS has largely emphasized these speed-ups while downplaying the impact of ending afternoon collections.

What Does That Means for You

If your local post office falls under the RTO plan, expect an extra day for outgoing mail. This could impact businesses, bill payments, and time-sensitive shipments. Staying informed and adjusting mailing habits accordingly will help navigate these changes smoothly.

The Postal Service will soon provide an online lookup tools that allows one to find the service standard for any origin ZIP code to destination ZIP code.

For more details see:

   Sept. 17, 2024:The Postal Service slows down the mail again

   Oct. 22, 2024The Postal Service introduces new service standards: What it means for your ZIP code

   Save the Post office Dashboard: RTO Dashboard

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