Breaking Down 2025’s Early Parcel Headlines
Volume 66 Breakdown:?
Every Monday we’re catching you up on the top 3 industry news stories from the previous week. Let’s get into it:
USPS launches Priority Next Day
The U.S. Postal Service launched their new next-day service on Saturday, March 2. Priority Next Day is currently available in 54 markets.
The service is only available through direct contracts with the USPS. It delivers packages up to 20 lbs in weight to any destination within 150 miles of a USPS regional processing and distribution center.
In their announcement of the launch, the USPS noted that Priority Next Day is “designed to support e-commerce,” and “caters to businesses with daily shipping volumes that align with specified cutoff windows.”
De Minimis exemptions extended for Mexico and Canada
While new tariffs for Mexico and Canada are set to take effect Tuesday, the de minimis exemption will remain temporarily.
The new tariff orders,? which originally were set to end of de minimis for packages from those two countries, were amended by President Trump to extend the exemption until “adequate systems are in place” for revenue processing and collection on the eligible shipments.
This reflects the Trump administration’s handling of de minimis exemptions for packages originating from China, which were temporarily suspended before being reinstated while tariff collection systems are developed.
USPS adjusting delivery standards in areas of network
In an effort to increase efficiency in rural areas, the U.S. Postal Service will soon end afternoon collections at many post offices, adding a day to delivery times for packages and mail going to certain destinations.
The plan’s objective is to consolidate truck trips in otherwise inefficient areas. The USPS will reduce trips and collections at most post offices more than 50 miles from a regional processing facility. The USPS believes the plan can save $3.6 billion annually.
The decision goes against the Postal Regulatory Commission’s recommendations, which doubted the agency’s operational readiness for such a change, called their cost savings projections “overly optimistic,” and determined the plan would negatively impact rural communities.
What is Large Package %?
Large Package % shows how often your packages exceed the dimensional limits established by the carriers.?
Why is tracking Large Package % important?
Tracking Large Package % is important for understanding how many of your shipments don’t fit the profile of what the carriers want. Some products require a large package, but you can prevent this surcharge in some cases. Ask yourself:
Getting shipments into smaller boxes - even by a few inches - can make a major difference on what you pay.
On the Podcast: 2025 Parcel Shipping Trends (ft. Mark Waverek)
If you’re a shipper overwhelmed with what’s happening in the headlines already this year, you aren’t alone.
On the latest episode of LeaderShipping, host, Jeremy Lee, and Managing Partner at Plaidmark Management Consulting, Mark Waverek, break down recent industry news and trends they are seeing for 2025.
Topics of discussion include:
Ready to tune in? Check out the full episode.