No, UPS doesn’t deliver on Sunday for its regular package services in the U.S. UPS Ground, UPS Ground Saver and UPS air services deliver Monday through Saturday at most, so a package that’s in transit over the weekend is delivered from Monday. The one UPS option that runs every day is UPS Express Critical, a custom urgent-freight service, and for a Sunday parcel delivery the practical choice is usually USPS Priority Mail Express.
This guide covers what happens to UPS packages over a weekend, which UPS services come closest to Sunday delivery, and how to plan around the gap.
Does UPS Deliver on Sunday in the US?
Not for standard shipments. UPS’s Tariff treats Sunday as a non-operating day alongside holidays, and none of UPS’s domestic parcel services lists a Sunday delivery option. Ground transit times count business days, Monday through Friday, and Saturday delivery is the furthest UPS’s regular weekend service goes.
| UPS service | Delivery days | Sunday delivery? |
|---|---|---|
| UPS Ground | Monday to Friday, plus Saturday in select areas | No |
| UPS Ground Saver | Monday to Saturday | No |
| UPS 3 Day Select | Business days, plus Saturday in select areas | No |
| UPS 2nd Day Air and Next Day Air | Business days, Saturday by request | No |
| UPS Express Critical | Available 24/7/365 | Yes, as a custom urgent service |
If a package would otherwise be due on a Sunday, its scheduled delivery date moves to the next business day. When that Monday is a UPS holiday, delivery moves again, so check the UPS holiday schedule around long weekends.
What Happens to UPS Packages Over the Weekend?
A package that leaves on Thursday or Friday keeps moving through the UPS network but isn’t delivered on Sunday. If it’s in an area with Saturday delivery and the service allows it, it may arrive on Saturday. Otherwise, it goes out for delivery on Monday.
Your UPS tracking page shows the current scheduled date, and our guide to UPS tracking and delivery explains each status you may see over the weekend.
Some UPS Ground Saver packages show “Transferred to Post Office for Delivery” in tracking. When that happens, the Post Office makes the final delivery on its own schedule, so the delivery day can differ from UPS’s.
Does UPS Ground or Ground Saver Deliver on Sunday?
No. UPS lists Monday through Saturday as the delivery days for UPS Ground Saver, the service formerly called SurePost. UPS Ground delivers on weekdays, plus Saturday in the areas UPS calls Saturday Ground service territories, where residential delivery that day comes at no extra charge.
That makes Saturday the latest weekend day a Ground package can arrive. Our guide to whether UPS delivers on Saturdays explains which areas and services qualify.
Is UPS Express Critical a Sunday Delivery Option?
Yes, but it isn’t a normal parcel service. UPS describes Express Critical as its fastest option for critical, urgent, time-sensitive or emergency freight, available 24/7/365. UPS assesses each shipment, chooses the transport and builds a delivery plan, so you arrange it with UPS directly rather than choosing it when you print a label.
It’s meant for situations like a replacement part to restart a production line or an urgent medical shipment. For an everyday package, it isn’t a realistic way to get a Sunday delivery.
Does UPS Pick Up or Accept Packages on Sunday?
UPS doesn’t run pickups on Sunday. Scheduled pickups run Monday through Friday, and Saturday pickup is available only in select areas. You can create a label and schedule a pickup over the weekend, and the driver comes on the next pickup day.
Some The UPS Store locations open on Sunday with shorter hours, and you can drop off a prepaid package there. It won’t start moving until the next UPS operating day, which is usually Monday. Hours vary by store, so check the location before you go.
What Are the Alternatives When You Need Sunday Delivery?
If the package must arrive on a Sunday, USPS is the main option. USPS says Priority Mail Express delivers every day, all year, with limited exceptions, to most U.S. addresses, and it comes with a money-back guarantee on its 1 to 3 day delivery commitment. Sunday delivery may carry an extra charge, so compare the total before you ship.
If Sunday is only a preference, it’s usually cheaper to plan the ship date so the package lands on Friday or Saturday. A UPS Ground package to a residence in a Saturday delivery area, or a UPS 2nd Day Air shipment sent Thursday with Saturday Delivery selected, often does the job.
You can compare UPS and USPS options side by side in the ParcelPath rate calculator. ParcelPath is free to use and gives you up to 85% off UPS and up to 89% off USPS retail rates, with no subscription or per-label fees.
How Can Online Sellers Plan Around No Sunday Delivery?
Buyers on marketplaces often expect weekend arrivals, so set delivery estimates in business days and ship early in the week when you can. A package shipped with UPS Ground on a Friday rarely arrives before Monday unless the buyer lives in a Saturday delivery area.
- Ship Monday to Wednesday for the best chance of a delivery before the weekend.
- Use Saturday-friendly services such as UPS Ground or Ground Saver for residential orders late in the week.
- Offer USPS Priority Mail Express as the premium option when a buyer needs a Sunday arrival.
- Tell buyers that UPS packages in transit over the weekend are delivered from Monday.
Sellers on Etsy and Poshmark can set processing times that reflect this, and our UPS shipping guide compares the services you can offer. For daily delivery hours on the days UPS does run, see what time UPS delivers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does UPS deliver on Sunday?
No, not for regular packages. UPS Ground, UPS Ground Saver and UPS air services deliver Monday through Saturday at most, and a package in transit over the weekend is delivered from Monday. UPS Express Critical is available 24/7/365, but it’s a custom urgent-freight service you arrange with UPS, not an option you select on a normal label.
Does UPS Ground deliver on Sunday?
No. UPS Ground delivers on business days, Monday through Friday, plus Saturday in the areas UPS calls Saturday Ground service territories. UPS Ground Saver lists Monday through Saturday as its delivery days. If a Ground package would be due on Sunday, it’s delivered on the next business day.
Does UPS pick up packages on Sunday?
No. UPS scheduled pickups run Monday through Friday, and Saturday pickup is available only in select areas. You can create labels and schedule a pickup over the weekend, and some The UPS Store locations accept drop-offs on Sunday, but those packages start moving on the next UPS operating day.
Which carrier delivers packages on Sunday?
USPS is the main option. USPS says Priority Mail Express delivers every day, all year, with limited exceptions, to most U.S. addresses, with a 1 to 3 day money-back guarantee. Sunday delivery may carry an extra charge, so compare the total cost against a Friday or Saturday arrival with UPS.
Sources
- UPS: Domestic Shipping Services (including UPS Express Critical)
- UPS: UPS Ground Saver (delivery days)
- UPS Tariff/Terms and Conditions of Service, United States
- UPS Rate and Service Guide, Daily Rates (pickup and weekend services)
- USPS: Priority Mail Express
Explore more in our Shipping Services and Solutions hub.
Part of our UPS Delivery Schedule guide. Related: How Long Does It Take UPS to Deliver?, How to Ship for Less, UPS Shipping: Rates, Tracking and Services.
