If you’re seeing delayed delivery, inconsistent tracking, or gaps in scan data, this isn’t isolated. It is the result of ongoing, system-wide changes within USPS.
These issues align directly with the Postal Service’s Delivering for America plan, a 10-year overhaul focused on reducing costs and restructuring how mail moves through the network.
A Timeline of USPS Operational Changes
2021: Launch of the Delivering for America Plan
USPS introduced its 10-year transformation initiative, the Delivering for America plan, aimed at reducing costs and restructuring how mail moves through its network.
The original announcement can be found on the USPS website, which also outlines upcoming service standard changes—many of which are now being experienced across the industry.
Introduction: Delivering for America: Our ten-year plan – about.usps.com
2022: Network Consolidation Begins
USPS began consolidating hundreds of local processing facilities into a significantly smaller number of large regional hubs, reducing the network from approximately 200 centers to around 60.
Impact:
Fewer sortation facilities resulted in longer transit paths and increased delivery times.
2024–2025: Disruptions and Pauses
As consolidation efforts progressed, widespread delays and lost mail were reported by customers, including some of USPS’s largest clients.
In response, certain consolidation efforts were temporarily paused. This created a start-and-stop rollout, further disrupting operations and introducing additional delays as mail was rerouted across the network.
April 1, 2025: Phase 1 Implementation
USPS implemented the first phase of updated service standards and transportation changes:
- Reduced truck trips and fewer local collection points
- Increased reliance on regional processing hubs
- Extended delivery timelines in certain cases
USPS to Implement Second Phase of Service Standard Refinements on July 1 – Newsroom – About.usps.com
July 1, 2025: Phase 2 Implementation
A second phase of service standard adjustments went into effect, further shifting how mail is routed and processed within the network.
Late 2025: Visibility and Postmark Changes
Postmarks were updated to reflect the first processing scan at regional facilities rather than the point of local entry.
Result:
Mail often appeared delayed or “stuck” early in the process, even when it was moving as designed within the new system.
During the 2025 holiday season, some deliveries were reported to be delayed by as much as two months.
Early 2026: Current State of the Network
The USPS network remains in transition:
- Consolidation and Sorting & Delivery Center (SDC) rollouts are ongoing
- Some regions are fully transitioned, while others remain mid-implementation
- Mail volumes are increasingly concentrated into fewer processing facilities
- Backlogs and inconsistent scan data continue to affect Marketing Mail
What This Means for Mail Performance
These systemic changes have created a consistent pattern across the network:
- Mail is entered into the system correctly
- It is routed to larger regional facilities instead of being processed locally
- Once there, it may sit in queue due to higher volumes and fewer processing touchpoints
- Tracking visibility is reduced, as scans occur later in the process
This combination has led to:
- Partial or delayed scan data
- Inconsistent delivery timelines
- Reduced overall predictability
Marketing Mail and Bound Printed Matter (BPM) are particularly impacted, as they are the lowest priority classes within the USPS system and are most exposed to delays under the current structure.
Considerations Moving Forward
While there is no immediate fix for these systemic challenges, a few strategic adjustments may help mitigate impact:
- Periodicals Classification: Transitioning to a periodical mailing method may offer modest service improvements and postage savings; however, it requires application and ongoing compliance with specific standards for circulation, record keeping, and advertising limits.
- Adjusted Timelines: Expanding delivery windows or moving mail entry dates earlier can help account for longer and less predictable delivery times.
Looking Ahead: Rate Increases
Further compounding these challenges, USPS has proposed another postage rate increase expected to take effect July 12, 2026 with approximately a 5% increase for Marketing Mail and Periodicals.
As the postal landscape continues to shift, these changes underscore the importance of planning, flexibility, and informed decision-making. Sheridan partners with clients to navigate this complexity, helping ensure their content and communications still reach audiences effectively.