Does UPS Deliver on Weekends? Saturday and Sunday Delivery Guide

    Due to the accelerated speed of modern times, businesses and individuals urgently need efficient delivery services. Companies and individual customers depend on shipping services providers, including UPS, for fast and safe package delivery services.

    Many people want to know whether UPS operates its package delivery services on weekend days. The question centers around Saturday delivery and Sunday availability of UPS services.

    The expansion of e-commerce has forced businesses such as Amazon and Walmart, along with other retail giants, to provide standard weekend delivery for customers.

    In order to meet consumer needs, UPS modified its shipping services by establishing weekend delivery options. This blog provides a complete response to understand if UPS operates on Sundays.

    UPS Saturday Delivery – A Detailed Overview

    Does UPS Deliver on Saturdays?

    Several UPS services provide Saturday delivery options to customers. The shipment delivery options from UPS extend to business customers sending packages and individual recipients awaiting their deliveries through Saturday service options.

    The premium status of Saturday delivery ended when UPS extended its Saturday delivery options to become more applicable for both business and residential clients.

    UPS delivers UPS® Ground and air shipping services on Saturdays throughout nearly all the major urban locations in the United States.

    Reviewing the options, you can check which specific UPS delivery services provide Saturday delivery services. The availability of Saturday delivery services from UPS depends on which option you choose from the available offerings.

    Which UPS Services Provide Saturday Delivery?

    1: UPS Next Day Air® Early

    • UPS® Ground and air packages can receive guaranteed delivery from 9:00 AM on Saturdays in most major metropolitan locations.
    • The service works for time-sensitive deliveries that need first-morning delivery.
    • Available in select metropolitan areas only.

    2: UPS Next Day Air®

    • Delivers by noon or 1:30 PM on Saturdays.
    • A good choice for time-critical shipments.

    3: UPS 2nd Day Air®

    • If shipped on Thursday, it can be delivered on Saturday.
    • A budget-friendly alternative to get it delivered quickly without using Next Day Air.

    4: UPS 3 Day Select®

    • If a package is shipped on Wednesday, it can be delivered by Saturday.
    • Offers a lower-cost alternative for non-expedited deliveries.

    5: UPS® Ground

    • One of the largest shifts UPS has introduced is making Saturday ground delivery at no extra charge for residential addresses.
    • The implication is that packages shipped with UPS® Ground can reach customers on Saturdays, even without an express shipping upgrade.

    Where Is UPS Saturday Delivery Available?

    UPS has considerably grown its Saturday delivery service. UPS Ground and UPS Air services with Saturday delivery can be accessed in more than 122 major metropolitan zones in the United States.

    To determine if your area is eligible, you can access the UPS online tool or call UPS customer service. Availability is based on the package’s destination ZIP code.

    More Features of UPS Saturday Delivery

    1. UPS Pickup on Saturdays

    • Individuals and businesses can arrange a Saturday pickup to deliver their packages over the weekend.
    • Retailers can quickly ship customer orders and offer faster delivery times.

    2. Saturday Delivery Fees

    • UPS Ground residential deliveries do not incur any extra charge for Saturday delivery.
    • Commercial deliveries have a fee of $4 per package.
    • Air services such as UPS Next Day Air® may incur a Saturday surcharge.

    UPS Sunday Delivery – Does UPS Deliver on Sunday?

    Does UPS Deliver on Sunday?

    Previously, UPS did not deliver on Sundays except for special shipments. However, with the growing demand for weekend deliveries, UPS now delivers on Sundays in some areas.

    Thus, the reply to the question of whether UPS delivers on Sunday is affirmative, but with some restrictions. Sunday delivery is not as common as Saturday delivery and is mostly for residential packages.

    Which UPS Services Provide Sunday Delivery?

    1. UPS® Ground Residential

    • UPS now delivers ground shipments to residential destinations on Sundays in specific regions.
    • The service was launched to challenge Amazon’s seven-day delivery policy.

    2. UPS SurePost®

    • It is a service that delivers packages on Sundays in collaboration with the U.S. Postal Service (USPS).
    • UPS carries the package almost all the way, and USPS makes the final delivery.
    • It is offered nationwide, but it is slower than other UPS delivery options.

    3. UPS Express Critical®

    • A high-end emergency service that runs 24/7, including Sundays.
    • Utilized for critical shipments like medical equipment, machinery components, and business-critical documents.
    • Nationwide and international, but it is costly compared to regular UPS shipping.

    Where Is UPS Sunday Delivery Available?

    1. UPS Sunday delivery is now available in:

    • Main metropolitan cities throughout the U.S.
    • Selected residential areas for UPS Ground packages.
    • Most areas nationwide for UPS SurePost deliveries (actual delivery by USPS).

    Sunday delivery availability varies with location and the shipping service you are using. To find out whether UPS delivers to your location on a Sunday, you can log into UPS’s online tracking system or call customer support.

    Does UPS Operate on Sunday?

    UPS does operate on Sundays, but only for certain services. While FedEx delivers more universally on Sundays, UPS has Sunday operations limited to ground residential deliveries, SurePost and Express Critical services.

    For companies that rely on weekend shipping as a business, knowing these restrictions will help them cope with delivery expectations. If you need guaranteed Sunday delivery, UPS Express Critical would be the most suitable option, but at a greater cost.

    How to Order UPS Weekend Deliveries?

    If you wish to arrange a UPS delivery on either Saturday or Sunday, just follow these steps:

    1. Check service eligibility: Use UPS’s website to see if Saturday or Sunday delivery is available.
    2. Choose the right service: Select an eligible UPS shipping option at checkout.
    3. Confirm the delivery date: When shipping your package, ensure the estimated delivery date has a weekend option.
    4. Track your shipment: Use the UPS tracking tool to track your package in real-time.

    Final Thoughts – Does UPS Deliver on Weekends?

    So, does UPS deliver during the weekends? Yes, but with a catch.

    • UPS delivers the majority of domestic and international packages on Saturdays.
    • UPS delivers on Sundays for ground residential package deliveries and SurePost packages.
    • UPS Express Critical® is available 24/7, including Sunday, but is an upgraded service.

    With the growth of online shopping, UPS has shifted to meet consumers’ demands by offering more weekend delivery services. Although Saturday delivery is offered nationwide, Sunday delivery is spotty but expanding.

    If you have a package to receive over the weekend or need to send something quickly, this information can help you choose the optimal shipping option.

    Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) Regarding UPS Weekend Delivery

    To better elucidate UPS’s weekend delivery guidelines, the following are some commonly asked questions:

    Does UPS deliver Amazon packages on weekends?

    Yes, UPS delivers Amazon packages on Saturdays and Sundays. This is Amazon's expanded logistics network, and UPS is one of its carriers. Sunday deliveries can even be made through UPS SurePost®, where the ultimate delivery is made by USPS.

    Can I ask UPS to deliver my package on a Saturday?

    You may arrange a Saturday delivery by choosing a qualified UPS service at checkout. Be sure to pick one of the following services:

    • UPS Next Day Air Early
    • UPS Next Day Air
    • UPS 2nd Day Air (for Thursday shipments)
    • UPS 3 Day Select (for Wednesday shipments)
    • UPS Ground (if it's available in your area)

    May I have a package picked up from UPS on the weekend?

    You can receive packages at a UPS Customer Center or a UPS Access Point location on Saturdays. Some locations have limited Sunday pickup available, which will vary based on your local UPS facility's hours.

    Does UPS deliver on Sundays in rural areas?

    UPS Sunday delivery is restricted and offered mainly in big city areas. Rural communities don't usually have UPS Sunday delivery, except UPS SurePost®, where USPS completes the final delivery stage.

    How do I know if my address qualifies for UPS weekend delivery?

    To verify whether UPS delivers to your place on weekends:

    • Go to the UPS website and utilize the service locator tool.
    • Enter your ZIP code to view the available weekend delivery options.
    • Track your shipment utilizing the UPS Tracking Tool, which offers estimated delivery dates.

    Do businesses qualify to receive UPS package delivery services on Sunday?

    UPS Sunday delivery services operate exclusively for residential homes. Only companies that subscribe to UPS Express Critical® can receive Sunday deliveries, but standard business clients do not receive weekend delivery services.

    Is there an extra charge for weekend UPS deliveries?

    UPS Ground residential deliveries on weekends: No extra charge.

    • The delivery of UPS Ground commercial packages on Saturdays requires each item to pay a $4 surcharge.
    • The UPS Air Services requires an additional payment for Saturday delivery service.
    • Extra fees apply when you choose UPS Express Critical® for Sunday delivery service.

    Does UPS have an official process when my Sunday-scheduled package fails to reach my location?

    The delivery failure of your package during Sunday arrival time may stem from these possible explanations:

    • Weather-related transportation delays, along with other factors, lead to delivery postponements.
    • A package that moves off-path to its destination requires additional delivery time to find the right destination.
    • Sunday delivery services are restricted because UPS does not operate in your delivery area, which would result in your package arriving on Monday.

    Tracking problems need verification through UPS tracking numbers available on the website and support from UPS customer service experts.

    Picture of Kaushik Barot <small>Founder</small>
    Kaushik Barot Founder

    Kaushik Barot is the Founder of Jio Worldwide (https://jioworldwide.com/), a company dedicated to providing top-notch shipping and moving solutions. With a rich career spanning over three decades, Kaushik served at the State Bank of India from 1986 until his retirement in March 2023. During his tenure, he gained invaluable experience in leadership and management. Following his retirement, Kaushik embarked on a new venture in the shipping and moving industry, channeling his expertise and passion for delivering reliable services to clients worldwide. His entrepreneurial journey is a testament to his adaptability and drive for success.