The USPS is monitoring the number of holiday packages shipped, with 2 billion sent in the first week

The United States Postal Service has already processed over two million packages this holiday season as it enters its peak period. From sending gifts to loved ones to mailing holiday cards, USPS is prepared to handle the increased demand.

According to a recent USPS announcement, hundreds of facilities are now equipped with advanced sorting machines. Nationwide, the Postal Service operates 614 of these machines to efficiently manage the volume of mail.

Under its Delivering for America 10-year initiative, launched in March 2021, USPS is investing $40 billion to enhance both staffing and infrastructure. These improvements have increased the daily processing capacity to approximately 88 million packages, up from 60 million during last years holiday season.

Real-time tracking via the Holiday Mail Counter indicates that nearly 2.2 billion pieces of mail have already been accepted this holiday season. To manage the surge, USPS plans to hire 14,000 temporary workers in addition to its current workforce of 533,724 employees as of 2024.

The Postal Service assures customers that most packages will be delivered in under three days on average. USPS continues to promote itself as a cost-effective way to send mail and parcels, even as temporary price increases are applied to holiday shipments. Rates for Priority Mail Express, Priority Mail, USPS Ground Advantage, and Parcel Select were raised over the summer.

These pricing adjustments, which took effect in early October and will last until January 18, aim to cover additional handling costs and align rates with competitive standards. Retailers now face a 40-cent increase to $16, while typical customers will see a 30-cent rise to $13, depending on service type, weight, and delivery zone.

The Postal Services strategic plan emphasizes financial sustainability, aiming to prevent $160 billion in projected losses by 2030. For the 2024 fiscal year, USPS reported a controllable loss of $1.8 billion, an improvement from over $2.2 billion the previous year.

Previously, former President Donald Trump suggested the possibility of privatizing USPS, noting in December 2024 that it was not the worst idea despite the Postal Service being constitutionally established.

Author: Sophia Brooks