Will Mail Run on the 4th of July in 2024?

The 4th of July, also known as Independence Day, is a beloved American holiday celebrating the adoption of the Declaration of Independence in 1776. This federal holiday is associated with summer fun – parades, barbecues, fireworks displays, and time with family and friends.

But will your mail run on the 4th of July?

The short answer is no – mail delivery and post office services shut down for Independence Day every year. But some express and priority mail options still operate, and USPS, UPS, FedEx and other delivery providers resume services as usual the following day.

In this comprehensive guide we’ll cover everything you need to know about how the July 4th federal holiday impacts mail and package delivery from the USPS, UPS, FedEx and more.

Specifically we’ll answer:

• Is the post office closed on July 4th, 2024?
• Will there be any regular mail delivery?
• Are UPS, FedEx and other couriers delivering packages?
• What shipping and postal services still run on Independence Day?
• When do delivery operations resume after the 4th of July?
• How can you plan accordingly if waiting on time-sensitive mail?

And more FAQs to ensure your packages and letters aren’t disrupted by the July 4th celebrations and day off.

Is the Post Office Closed on July 4th, 2024?

As a federal holiday, United States Postal Service (USPS) locations are closed each year on July 4th and do not offer any regular services.

This means your local post office will be locked up tight on the Fourth of July in 2024, with no postal workers on-site to handle packages, mail sorting and distributions, counter service tasks and more.

The only exception is select USPS self-service kiosks may still be functioning in some high-traffic locations like airports. But access will be extremely limited.

So unless you absolutely must use a postal service kiosk to send something ultra time-sensitive on July 4th, just know the post office is taking the day off along with most other businesses and government institutions.

Will There Be Any Mail Delivery on Independence Day?

With post offices closed down for Independence Day every year, no regular USPS mail gets delivered on July 4th.

That means your mailbox will be empty on the 4th sans some neighborhood flyers perhaps. No letters, bills, magazines, or packages arrive that Tuesday in 2024.

The one exception is USPS Priority Mail Express, which operates 365 days a year including federal holidays.

So if you paid extra to ship something by Priority Mail Express with a July 4th delivery date, you can still expect that urgent item on Independence Day. Just know your local postal worker is going the extra mile for you!

All other mail classes and package deliveries will be placed on hold, to resume on Wednesday July 5th when USPS locations reopen after the holiday.

What About FedEx and UPS Delivery Services?

Postal service competitors FedEx and UPS also suspend regular delivery operations for Independence Day every year.

The only packages these carriers will deliver on July 4, 2024 are via their FedEx Custom Critical and UPS Express Critical services.

These special expedited shipping options specifically guarantee delivery 365 days a year, expressly to cover federal holidays likes Independence Day.

So if you have an ultra urgent, critical item coming via FedEx Custom Critical or UPS Express Critical with a July 4th arrival date, rest assured your package is still in transit that Tuesday.

Otherwise, all regular FedEx and UPS pickups and deliveries are halted for the holiday. Delivery trucks remain parked for the day as workers spend time with family and friends for Independence Day.

Are There Any Shipping Services Open on the 4th of July?

The only mailing or courier services open and operational each 4th of July are:

• USPS Priority Mail Express
• FedEx Custom Critical
• UPS Express Critical

These expedited shipping options run 365 days a year, expressly so time-sensitive materials can still be delivered on federal holidays likes Independence Day, Christmas Day and Memorial Day when regular mail and delivery shuts down.

So while no mail carrier is handling routine packages and letters this 4th of July, these special express services still have you covered in case of a critical mailing emergency.

How Do Online Retailers Like Amazon Handle July 4th Deliveries?

With postal and shipping services scaled back for Independence Day, major online retailers like Amazon also halt routine deliveries each July 4th.

Any customer orders with an estimated delivery falling on July 4, 2024 will arrive the following day once USPS, UPS, FedEx and other couriers resume their regular schedules on July 5th after the federal holiday.

So if you’re planning to shop online sales ahead of your 4th of July barbecue, be sure to place orders a few days early allowing for that one-day delay around Independence Day.

The only packages that could potentially still arrive on July 4th itself are any items Amazon ships via USPS Priority Mail Express, UPS Express Critical or FedEx Custom Critical.

When Do Mail and Shipping Services Resume After the Holiday?

The 4th of July federal holiday each year falls on July 4th specifically.

So the USPS, UPS, FedEx and all other routine mail delivery services will be up and running again nationwide on July 5th, 2024 the following day.

That means you can head to your local post office branch on July 5th and resume normal operations like:

• Mailing letters and packages at the counter
• Sorting through your PO box
• Picking up a missed package
• Purchasing money orders or stamps
• Dropping off returns and pre-labeled shipments

Mail carriers and couriers will also restart scheduled delivery routes on Wednesday July 5th. So you’ll once again receive your regular mail and any packages that were held up by the holiday.

Just give it an extra day coming off Independence Day for your mail to get back on track from any disruptions.

What Postal Services Remain Available on July 4th?

The only mailing and shipping services available on Independence Day itself each year are:

• USPS Priority Mail Express – This expedited service still delivers 365 days a year, even federal holidays like July 4th. So if you have an exceptionally urgent letter, document or package to ship this July 4th, Priority Mail Express is your best option.
• FedEx Custom Critical – FedEx’s fastest, most reliable shipping for critical items. Custom Critical remains operational on federal holidays to ensure medical supplies, mechanical parts, important business documents and other vital contents reach their destination promptly.
• UPS Express Critical – Similarly, UPS Express Critical offers urgent “air emergency” shipping year-round covering federal holidays. So critical items can still be delivered by UPS drivers even on days like Independence Day.

Select USPS self-service kiosks may also still be accessible on July 4th if you need to print a postage label for an urgent shipment getting picked up by Priority Mail Express later that day. But access to postal kiosks will be limited.

How Long Has the 4th of July Been a Federal Holiday?

The 4th of July has been recognized as a federal holiday commemorating the Declaration of Independence since 1870.

Prior to that, Independence Day celebrations were held in many communities to mark America’s revolutionary beginnings. But it wasn’t until 1870 that Congress approved legislation to make July 4th an official non-working federal holiday each year.

So the USPS, federal banks, stock exchanges, courts and other government entities have closed down each 4th of July for over 150 years now!

While private employers aren’t federally mandated to give employees the day off, many companies follow suit allowing staff time to celebrate Independence Day.

Giving workers and public services July 4th off to spend with family, friends and community at parades, fireworks events and summer parties.

What’s the History Behind Independence Day?

Independence Day commemorates the passage of the Declaration of Independence adopted on July 4th, 1776.

The famous document proclaimed America’s political separation from Great Britain and the beginning of the Revolutionary War in the fight for freedom.

The Declaration of Independence outlined the new nation’s grievances with British monarchal rule. And declared the 13 American colonies to now be sovereign as the United States of America.

This formal assertion of autonomy sparked the ensuing war with Great Britain. Americans ultimately secured independence in 1783 with Britain’s defeat.

July 4, 1776 marked the origination of American revolutionary spirit. So Independence Day is celebrated as the birthday of the U.S. and its liberated ideals.

The holiday traditions uphold national pride, freedom, perseverance through revolutionary times, and bringing Americans together.

How Can I Plan Ahead for July 4th Mail Disruptions?

If you’ll need to ship important documents, send gifts, return online items or receive priority mail anytime around Independence Day 2024, be sure to plan accordingly.

• Give a Few Extra Days – Shipping deadlines should be moved up if you need an item to arrive by July 4th itself or shortly after. Send packages 2-3 days earlier than normal leading up to the holiday allowing for the one-day gap in deliveries on Independence Day plus any extra USPS/courier delays from holiday volume.
• Use Express Services if Urgent – If you absolutely need something to arrive on July 4th itself, use USPS Priority Mail Express, UPS Express Critical or FedEx Custom Critical to guarantee holiday delivery. These expedited shipments will still transit even as regular mail pauses.
• Confirm Operating Hours – Verify when your local post office, UPS store or FedEx office reopens for business after Independence Day on July 5th if you need to drop off return packages. Hours may be impacted that Wednesday after the federal holiday.
• Set Up USPS Informed Delivery – This free USPS online dashboard shows you what mail and packages are scheduled to arrive each day. So you’ll know if your 4th of July items look delayed beyond the federal holiday.

Key Takeaways

If you’re wondering “does mail run on the 4th of July?” or need to ship packages around Independence Day, the key points to remember are:

• Virtually all routine USPS, UPS and FedEx delivery services close down on July 4th as a federal holiday. No regular mail or packages get delivered that Tuesday, except…
• USPS Priority Mail Express, FedEx Custom Critical and UPS Express Critical continue operating on July 4th for guaranteed holiday delivery.
• Post offices and carrier locations reopen the next day on July 5th, resuming all standard mailing services.
• Plan 2-3 extra days for shipping deadlines around Independence Day, or use expedited delivery if your mail simply can’t wait.

So be sure to schedule important mailings accordingly! With some advance planning your packages won’t get derailed by the 4th of July celebrations.