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The United States Postal Service ( USPS ) has announced upcoming modifications to First-Class Mail services , aiming to enhance efficiency and reduce costs. The changes, set to take effect later this year, are expected to generate an estimated $36 billion in savings over the next decade, according to USPS. Newsweek reached out to financial experts for comment.
Why It Matters USPS delivers to more than 165 million residential and business addresses daily. The shift marks a continued effort by USPS to cut costs without significantly disrupting mail delivery for most Americans. While some First-Class Mail deliveries will be expedited, others could see slight delays.
List of Changes Coming to USPS Mail According to USPS, the following adjustments will be made to first-class mail: The path of mail and packages is also being restructured into three legs. Regardless of delivery time, all mail will be processed within 1-5 days - which is the current standard. As part of the changes, postal workers will now use a five-digit regional add-on after the ZIP code to enhance accuracy, replacing the current three-digit add-on.
Rural customers may benefit, as post workers will also be permitted to leave facilities earlier and travel greater distances for deliveries. USPS has stated that the majority of customers will not notice any changes, but some deliveries that previously took two days may now take up to three, while others will arrive more quickly than before. Services provided at all post offices will not change.
When Are Changes Coming? The modifications are set to be implemented gradually throughout 2025 . The first phase will begin on April 1, the second on July 1. Customers can expect notifications from USPS regarding any significant changes to their mail delivery schedules.
USPS also reassures that it will continue to monitor the impact of these adjustments. The changes come shortly after USPS was hit with calls to undergo a Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) audit. Why is USPS Making Changes? The Postal Service generally receives no tax dollars for operating expenses and relies on the sale of postage, products and services to fund its operations, per a USPS FAQ .
USPS has struggled with financial losses in the past, leading to increased pressure to streamline operations. In 2022, the agency launched its "Delivering for America" plan, a 10-year initiative designed to modernize the postal network and reduce inefficiencies. Postmaster General Louis DeJoy emphasized the importance of these changes, stating: "By implementing the new standards and the operational initiatives to which they are aligned, we will be better able to achieve the goals of our modernization plans and create a high-performing, financially sustainable organization, which is necessary to achieve the statutory policies and objectives established for the Postal Service by law.
" What's Next USPS will continue to refine its operations under the "Delivering for America" plan, which includes further network restructuring and cost-cutting measures. The changes come as President Donald Trump is considering merging USPS into the Commerce Department and bringing it under the authority of the executive branch..
