Last Collection Hours (2024)

FAQs

What does USPS last collection hours mean? ›

If a mailpiece is dropped off at a 24-hour postal location before the last pickup time listed at that location, it would be postmarked with the date it was dropped off. Similarly, if a mailpiece is deposited in a Collection Box receptacle before the last pickup time, it will be collected and postmarked that same day.

How Often Do USPS Drop Boxes Get Emptied? Every active USPS blue box is emptied daily. A USPS employee must scan the barcode inside the USPS drop-off location to confirm this pickup no later than 5 PM, Monday through Friday. Saturday collections vary depending on the average volume of parcels in that specific drop box.

"If you are choosing to mail a check, it is always recommended that you use a secure mail drop such as inside a post office versus an unsecured public-facing mailbox," Caitlin Driscoll of the Better Business Bureau told CBS Pittsburgh.

While the mail pickup date and time can vary based on where your mail is heading, USPS Drop Boxes are usually emptied at least once every weekday, from Monday through Friday, and sometimes Saturday. And in places with lots of mail coming in, pickups can be twice on weekdays.

Items are held at the pickup location for a limited amount of time: If the item has not been picked up within 5 days (3 days for Priority Mail Express®), the Post Office makes another notification attempt. If not picked up within 15 days (5 days for Priority Mail Express), the item is returned to sender.

This will typically be between 9am and 3pm in urban and suburban areas on Monday to Friday, and no earlier than 7am on a Saturday. Later timed postboxes are normally located at Post Offices, our Royal Mail offices and associated with Parcel Boxes. These are typically collected from 4pm* on weekdays.

📬 USPS Warns Not To Use Their Blue Mailboxes (KFI AM 640)

By Dave Basner. Mar 1, 2024. It has long been known that BAD people sometimes steal mail - from the USPS Blue Drop boxes but also from your own mailbox.

Collection Box receptacles are mail receptacles (usually either blue, freestanding units, post mounted units, or chutes in a building) where customers can deposit mail. Mail drop-off points and Collection Box receptacles may also be located at or inside a Post Office® facility.

Sending Mail

You can send mail by: Dropping it into a blue collection box. Leaving it in your home mailbox. Scheduling a pickup.

Can I just leave a package in my mailbox? ›

If your package is less than one-half inch thick and weighs less than 10oz, you can use postage stamps and drop off your package by: Putting it in your mailbox for carrier pickup. Dropping it in a blue collection box or Post Office lobby drop-off box.

Letter carriers can pick up mail as they make their deliveries if the flag is up. It falls within the size and weight restrictions of the class.

According to the USPS, 98% of people visit their mailbox every day to get their mail and 77% of people sort through their mail immediately.

Each year, the U.S. Postal Service network stresses to accommodate the peak mailing season — Thanksgiving through New Year's Day.

No later than 4.30pm even if the Post Office® has a later closing time. No later than 11:00am if the Post Office® has a half day closing time.

When will my letter carrier or mail arrive? We do not have the ability to find out when a carrier or delivery person will arrive at a specific location. The volume of mail fluctuates daily; therefore, delivery times are not guaranteed. All deliveries should be made by 5:00 p.m. local time Monday through Saturday.

What does USPS mean by end of day? For your hardworking postal delivery person, end of day is most likely whenever all the mail is delivered. Sometimes, this can be as late as 10 pm. When you're shipping via USPS and need a package postmarked today, end of day is, literally, midnight.