In most countries, local post offices do not mail deliveries on weekends. The only carriers that normally deliver during weekends are those in the private sector.
The US Postal Service delivered regular mail on Saturdays and selected mail classes on Sundays in the United States.
Let’s check how early they do deliveries during weekends:
USPS’ Delivery Schedule On Saturdays and Sundays:
USPS mail carriers usually make their delivery rounds on Saturdays from 9 am to 5 pm. If it is peak season, deliveries may start 1 to 2 hours earlier and end as late as 6:30 pm. On Sundays, they start delivering Priority Express Mail at around 10:30 am.
How Early Can USPS Deliver on Saturdays and Sundays?
The normal delivery schedule of USPS is the same as the local post office hours, typically 9 am to 5 am.
However, delivery hours may start earlier depending on the area and how busy it is.
On Saturdays, USPS can usually deliver as early as 9 am, while on Sundays, you can expect delivery for Priority Mail Express to start at around 10:30 am.
Saturdays are treated the same as any other weekdays at the post office. In most areas, post office hours are from 9 am to 5 pm, so you can expect your mail to be delivered within this period.
If it gets too busy, deliveries may start as early as 7 am or 8 am. This happens during peak season, for example, during the holidays.
On Sundays, delivery rounds start late. That is because there are limited deliveries on Sundays.
Only mail shipped through Priority Mail Express is delivered on this day, so unless you have anything shipped using this service, do not expect to receive any mail.
Want to know if USPS Delivers Earlier On Saturdays & Sundays? (We Checked)
What Happens if the Mailman Arrives too Early and You’re Not Up?
If the USPS mailman is delivering an envelope or a small parcel that can be delivered in the mailbox, then they will drop it off inside the mailbox. Otherwise, they will leave a notice and return the mail piece to the post office.
Envelopes containing bills, postcards, subscriptions, and even small parcels can fit in the mailbox, and the mailmen typically place these items in the mailbox.
So if they arrive early and you’re still not up, you would still be able to get your mail.
However, there are classes of mail that cannot fit in the mailbox and cannot be left unattended on the porch unless there are special instructions.
Some examples include packages shipped through First Class Package, Priority Mail, and Priority Mail Express.
Parcels that need a signature confirmation or an adult signature cannot be left on the porch because they have to be received and signed for by someone.
If the item falls into any of the above-mentioned categories, the mailman will leave a notice for you and take the item back to the post office. Then you can either schedule a redelivery or pick it up at the post office.
Are USPS Mailmen Normally Done Earlier on Weekends?
Saturdays and Sundays are different for USPS mailmen because they do not deliver regular mail classes on Sundays.
For USPS mailmen, Saturday is just like any other weekday. Their delivery hours are the same, so they are not done earlier on weekends.
Mail deliveries are usually from 9 am to 5 pm on weekdays and Saturdays, and these mail carriers always deliver all the mail at the end of the day.
Even if they have to extend past 5 pm, they will do so to ensure that all deliveries set for that day are done. If the number of mail and packages to be delivered is less, they may be done earlier than expected.
On Sundays, USPS mailmen may be done earlier because they only deliver Priority Express Mail during this day of the week.
Can You Leave a Note on the Door in Case the Mailman Arrives Early?
If you need to give special instructions to the USPS mailman, you must do it through the website.
When you are expecting a package delivery, you have the option to leave special delivery instructions. All you have to do is log in to your USPS account and look for the corresponding tracking number of your package.
Besides the tracking number, click on “Delivery Instructions.”
This will take you to a page where you can enter specific instructions like “leave the package on the front porch,” “leave in the garage,” or “give it to the neighbor.”
In the case of Collect on Delivery shipments, you can put special delivery instructions with any package that does not require a signature or payment.
How does USPS handle delivering packages to the door? Find out more here!
Are USPS Mailmen Allowed to Deliver Earlier than Expected?
USPS mailmen are allowed to deliver earlier than expected.
This can happen quite often, especially if the transport of mail pieces takes a shorter time than normal. The expected delivery date becomes less likely to change as the package moves through the network.
However, you should always check your USPS tracking number on the most recent update on when your package will likely be delivered.
The faster your package arrives at your local post office, the earlier it will be delivered.
Is There Any Way to Check When the Mailman Arrives on Weekends?
Unfortunately, there is no way to check when the mailman arrives on weekends or any other day.
Whether they arrive early or late depends on the amount of mail and packages they must deliver in a day.
If you need a consistent delivery time for your mail, USPS workers recommend renting a post office box, where delivery is usually done between 10 am and 11 am.