Does UPS Deliver on Sundays? The Complete Guide to Weekend Delivery Services
Guide to Weekend Delivery Services
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- What is UPS? An Overview
- Understanding UPS Delivery Schedule
- Does UPS Deliver on Sundays?
- What Types of UPS Services Are Available on Sundays?
- UPS Sunday Delivery for Residential Customers
- UPS Sunday Delivery for Businesses
- How UPS Sunday Delivery Works
- Where Is Sunday UPS Delivery Available?
- How to Schedule a Sunday UPS Delivery
- UPS Sunday Delivery vs. FedEx and USPS
- Costs and Fees for UPS Sunday Delivery
- Is UPS Sunday Delivery Reliable?
- Tracking Sunday Deliveries with UPS
- How to Know If Your Package Will Arrive on Sunday
- Frequently Asked Questions About Sunday Delivery
- UPS Access Point and Sunday Pickups
- Customer Experiences with UPS Sunday Delivery
- Future of UPS Weekend Deliveries
- Conclusion
1. Introduction
In the age of Amazon Prime and same-day shipping, consumers are more demanding than ever when it comes to delivery speed. One of the most frequently searched questions today is: Does UPS deliver on Sundays?
This guide covers everything you need to know about UPS Sunday delivery, including how it works, where it’s available, and whether it’s the right choice for your shipping needs.
2. What is UPS? An Overview
United Parcel Service (UPS) is one of the world’s largest package delivery and supply chain management companies. Headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, UPS delivers millions of packages every day across the globe. It is known for services including:
- Domestic and international shipping
- Same-day delivery
- Freight and logistics
- Supply chain solutions
- UPS Store and access points
UPS is widely used by individuals, small businesses, and large corporations for reliable, fast, and trackable deliveries.
3. Understanding UPS Delivery Schedule
UPS traditionally operates on a Monday to Saturday delivery model. However, consumer demands and e-commerce growth have pushed the company to extend operations to weekends.
Standard UPS Delivery Days:
- Monday to Friday: All services operate.
- Saturday: Residential and commercial delivery available with certain services.
- Sunday: Limited services available in select areas.
4. Does UPS Deliver on Sundays?
Short Answer: Yes, but not universally.
UPS does deliver on Sundays, but only under specific conditions and in certain areas. As of recent updates, UPS has partnered with Amazon and other retailers to expand Sunday delivery services.
Key Points:
- Not all UPS services offer Sunday delivery.
- Mostly available for residential deliveries and Amazon orders.
- Sunday delivery is not available for every ZIP code.
- Requires specific service selection and possible extra fees.
5. What Types of UPS Services Are Available on Sundays?
Not all UPS services are eligible for Sunday delivery. Here’s what may be available:
A. UPS SurePost (via USPS)
- Hybrid service using UPS + USPS.
- USPS delivers the “last mile,” including Sundays.
B. Amazon Sunday Delivery (via UPS)
- UPS partners with Amazon to deliver select packages on Sundays.
- Typically limited to Prime orders.
C. UPS Express Critical®
- Premium, time-sensitive delivery available 365 days a year.
- Very expensive, used for urgent business needs or medical deliveries.
6. UPS Sunday Delivery for Residential Customers
For homeowners and apartment dwellers, Sunday delivery may come as part of:
- Amazon orders (delivered by UPS).
- SurePost shipments transferred to USPS.
- Select UPS Ground shipments in major metropolitan areas.
Benefits:
- Get packages earlier.
- No need to wait until Monday.
- More convenient for those who work weekdays.
7. UPS Sunday Delivery for Businesses
Businesses typically use weekday deliveries, but some rely on Sunday delivery for urgent needs.
Business Use Cases:
- Perishable goods.
- Medical supplies.
- Time-sensitive legal or financial documents.
- Last-minute inventory fulfillment.
However, Sunday delivery for businesses often requires Express Critical® or custom logistics arrangements.
8. How UPS Sunday Delivery Works
Here’s how Sunday delivery typically operates:
- Package Labeling: Shipments must be properly labeled for Sunday delivery.
- Service Selection: Customers or businesses must choose a Sunday-eligible UPS service.
- Area Availability: UPS will confirm if Sunday delivery is supported in your location.
- Sorting and Logistics: Special weekend logistics kick in Saturday night.
- Delivery Window: Packages are usually delivered between 9 AM and 7 PM on Sundays.
9. Where Is Sunday UPS Delivery Available?
Sunday delivery is not available in all locations. UPS has focused Sunday operations in urban and suburban areas where demand is highest.
Availability Factors:
- Population density
- Retail partner agreements
- Existing UPS infrastructure
- USPS or third-party partner support
Major Cities with Sunday UPS Delivery:
- New York City
- Los Angeles
- Chicago
- Atlanta
- Dallas
- Miami
- Houston
- San Francisco
Use the UPS online tool or contact customer service to check ZIP-code-specific availability.
10. How to Schedule a Sunday UPS Delivery
To schedule Sunday delivery with UPS:
- Log into your UPS account at UPS.com.
- Create a shipment using the shipping form.
- Select an eligible service (e.g., SurePost, Express Critical).
- Verify Sunday delivery availability in your area.
- Choose the Sunday delivery option if applicable.
- Print your label and drop off or schedule a pickup.
If you’re shipping via Amazon, you don’t need to do anything — UPS will handle it on their end if Sunday delivery is available.
11. UPS Sunday Delivery vs. FedEx and USPS
UPS vs. FedEx:
| Feature | UPS | FedEx |
|---|---|---|
| Sunday Delivery | Limited | Available via FedEx Home Delivery |
| Cost | High (Express) or low (Amazon) | Typically mid-range |
| Reliability | High | High |
| Coverage | Select areas | Over 95% of U.S. population |
UPS vs. USPS:
| Feature | UPS | USPS |
|---|---|---|
| Sunday Delivery | Select areas | USPS delivers Amazon packages every Sunday |
| Cost | Higher | Low cost |
| Availability | Limited | Nationwide for Amazon/priority mail |
| Tracking | Detailed | Moderate |
UPS generally offers higher reliability and better tracking, but USPS offers wider coverage for Sunday deliveries.
12. Costs and Fees for UPS Sunday Delivery
UPS doesn’t have a flat fee for Sunday delivery—it varies by service type.
Estimated Costs:
- UPS Express Critical: $100+ (variable)
- Amazon/UPS SurePost: Usually included in the order cost
- Residential Sunday Delivery: May include a $16–$20 premium surcharge
Businesses or regular shippers can negotiate lower rates via UPS commercial accounts.
13. Is UPS Sunday Delivery Reliable?
Yes—when available and properly scheduled, UPS Sunday delivery is very reliable.
UPS Reliability Factors:
- Real-time tracking with estimated delivery windows.
- Trained weekend staff and expanded logistics hubs.
- Special handling of time-sensitive shipments.
However, availability and reliability are contingent on your location and service selection.
14. Tracking Sunday Deliveries with UPS
UPS tracking tools work the same for Sunday deliveries as they do during the week.
Options:
- UPS Tracking ID (standard 18-digit code)
- UPS My Choice (email/text alerts, rescheduling, delivery window updates)
- Mobile App (push notifications, live map)
Tracking updates may appear as “Out for Delivery” on Sunday mornings if you are scheduled for a weekend drop-off.
15. How to Know If Your Package Will Arrive on Sunday
Signs You’re Getting a Sunday Delivery:
- Your tracking info includes Sunday as the expected delivery date.
- The shipper (e.g., Amazon) has Sunday as a guaranteed option.
- You chose UPS Express Critical with Sunday preference.
- You live in a Sunday-eligible ZIP code.
Check UPS tracking regularly to confirm.
16. Frequently Asked Questions About Sunday Delivery
Q1: Can I choose Sunday delivery when shipping from a UPS Store?
No, unless using Express Critical or a pre-arranged partner service.
Q2: Can I receive UPS packages from eBay on Sundays?
Only if the seller ships with SurePost or via Amazon Fulfillment.
Q3: What if my Sunday delivery fails?
You may receive it on Monday. Use UPS My Choice to get status alerts.
17. UPS Access Point and Sunday Pickups
UPS Access Points are retail locations where you can drop off or pick up packages. These may operate 7 days a week, including Sundays.
Check your local UPS Access Point for hours and availability.
18. Customer Experiences with UPS Sunday Delivery
Many customers express surprise and satisfaction at getting packages delivered on Sundays—especially from Amazon. However, some rural users report inconsistent service.
Common Feedback:
- “Didn’t expect my package on Sunday—pleasantly surprised!”
- “UPS delivered my Prime order Sunday afternoon—fast and efficient.”
- “Wish Sunday delivery was available in my area.”
19. Future of UPS Weekend Deliveries
The future is bright for UPS Sunday delivery. With growing consumer demand and the rise of e-commerce, UPS is expected to:
- Expand Sunday delivery to more ZIP codes.
- Offer Sunday delivery options directly in checkout processes.
- Launch 7-day ground service across more products.
- Improve infrastructure to handle increased weekend volume.
20. Conclusion
So, does UPS deliver on Sundays? The answer is yes—but conditionally. UPS has entered the weekend delivery arena, especially for Amazon and urgent services, but it’s not yet a universal offering.
If you’re an online shopper, small business owner, or simply someone who values convenience, understanding UPS Sunday delivery can help you better plan your shipments, manage expectations, and take full advantage of weekend logistics.
As UPS expands its Sunday operations, we can expect faster, more flexible, and more consumer-focused shipping in the near future.