USPS is reminding employees that the new, streamlined service for Priority Mail Express will be effective Sunday, May 23.
As of that date, there will be just one commitment time for all Priority Mail Express deliveries nationwide: 6 p.m. The 10:30 a.m., noon and 3:30 p.m. options will cease.
However, on May 23; Monday, May 24; and Tuesday, May 25; the 10:30 a.m., noon and 3:30 p.m. delivery commitment times will be honored for Priority Mail Express packages sent before May 23.
There will be no change to Priority Mail Express pricing or one- and two-day service standards. Priority Mail Express packaging will remain free of charge and Priority Mail Express Flat Rate Envelopes still will be available.
In addition, Priority Mail Express transportation and cutoff times — as well as processing and delivery operations — will remain the same.
Customers should be informed about the changes to the guaranteed delivery times.
If a customer uses an older Label 11-B, 11-F, 11-M or 11-HFPU after May 23, none of the delivery commitments will be honored. Customers should complete a new label showing only the 6 p.m. delivery commitment.
If a customer chooses not to complete a new label, the package will be accepted but retail associates will inform the customer that USPS only offers the single 6 p.m. delivery commitment time.
Old label stock at retail units should be recycled according to each district’s procedures.
Although some businesses may close before 6 p.m., carrier routes are designed to reach businesses during their working hours and Priority Mail Express packages will continue to be delivered throughout the day.
Retail associates should make Priority Mail Express items available as soon as possible for customers with PO Boxes at stations that close before 6 p.m.
Retail Digest’s May 18 edition has more information about the Priority Mail Express changes.
