UPS and USPS Reunite on Ground Saver: What Shippers Should Watch Closely

UPS has confirmed a renewed agreement with the U.S. Postal Service that brings USPS back into the final mile for UPS Ground Saver shipments, with deliveries restarting in the coming weeks.

On the surface, this looks like a return to business as usual. In reality, it’s a reminder that carrier network changes can quietly shift cost and service dynamics for shippers, often without obvious signals.

What Changed

UPS will once again hand off select Ground Saver packages to USPS for final-mile delivery, similar to the former SurePost model. The move restores delivery to PO Boxes and expands coverage to non-contiguous U.S. locations like Alaska and Hawaii.

For UPS, the deal improves network flexibility and lowers last-mile costs on a portion of volume.

For shippers, the benefits are less clear.

Why Shippers Should Pay Attention

Despite reduced delivery costs for UPS, rates are unlikely to come down. At the same time, reintroducing a USPS handoff may impact transit times and consistency, depending on region and volume.

This creates a familiar risk: economy services that cost more than expected, and perform differently than assumed.

“This brings back coverage, which is good. But UPS isn’t cutting prices, so shippers need to watch costs and delivery performance closely,” said Joe Wilkinson, VP, Professional Services (and resident parcel expert).

What to Do Next

Shippers using Ground Saver should:

• Monitor transit times by lane and ZIP code
• Audit invoices for pricing changes or inconsistencies
• Reevaluate whether “economy” services are still aligned with customer expectations

Carrier strategy is evolving quickly in 2026. Visibility into cost and performance is what separates shippers who react from those who stay ahead.

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