1、CRS INSIGHT Prepared for Members and Committees of Congress INSIGHTINSIGHTi i USPS Changes Postal Service Standards October 14, 2021 Under new regulations that went into effect on October 1, 2021, the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) adjusted its service standards on select market-dominant products, speci
2、fically First-Class Mail and Periodicals. Service standards reflect USPSs estimate of the amount of time it will take to deliver a piece of mail. The new standards increase the target in-transit time for delivery by 1-2 days. While some market-dominant mail will be unaffected, USPS expects that appr
3、oximately 40% of First-Class Mail (particularly that which travels longer distances) will be subject to an adjusted standard that is 1-2 days greater than the previous standard. Most local First-Class Mail (i.e., mail traveling three hours or less) will keep its 2-day standard. USPS Service Standard
4、s Postal service delivery standards are “the stated delivery performance goals for a mail class or product. Taking into account network logistics and feasibility, a service standard reflects the number of days after acceptance of mail by which the sender and recipient can expect it to be delivered.”
