Is the US Postal Service Open on Veterans Day?

The United States Postal Service (USPS) is not open on Veterans Day for regular retail services or mail delivery. As a federal holiday, Veterans Day results in post office closures nationwide, with no residential or business mail delivery and limited access to postal services. This means if you're asking, "is the US Postal Service open on Veterans Day?"—the answer is no, it follows a standard federal holiday closure policy. While some self-service kiosks and collection boxes remain accessible, all staff-operated services are suspended for the day. Understanding this pattern helps consumers and businesses plan ahead for shipping, receiving packages, and visiting local branches.

Quick Overview: Is USPS Open on Veterans Day?

In short, the U.S. Postal Service does not operate on Veterans Day. It is one of ten federally recognized holidays observed by USPS each year, during which most operations come to a halt. There is no mail delivery—neither first-class letters nor packages—and post offices remain closed to the public. Unlike private carriers such as UPS and FedEx, which may offer limited service on certain federal holidays, USPS fully observes Veterans Day across all locations in the United States.

This closure applies uniformly regardless of city size, region, or whether a post office is located within a shopping center or standalone building. Since USPS is a government-operated agency, its holiday schedule is standardized nationwide under federal guidelines set by the Office of Personnel Management (OPM). Therefore, unlike retail chains that might have variable hours based on local demand or franchise ownership, USPS adheres to a consistent national calendar.

USPS Holiday Operating Policy: A General Pattern

The U.S. Postal Service follows a predictable annual holiday schedule, closing entirely on specific federal holidays while maintaining normal operations on others. The following holidays result in full service suspension:

New Year’s Day
Martin Luther King Jr. Day
Washington’s Birthday (Presidents Day)
Memorial Day
Independence Day (July 4th)
Labor Day
Columbus Day
Veterans Day
Thanksgiving Day
Christmas Day

On these days, there is no mail delivery, post office lobbies are closed, and employees are granted paid time off. In contrast, USPS operates normally on other observances like Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, and Easter Sunday—days that, while culturally significant, are not classified as federal holidays.

It's important to note that because USPS is an independent agency of the executive branch of the federal government, its policies are dictated at the national level. This eliminates variability seen in privately owned retailers where individual store managers or franchise owners can adjust hours. For example, Walmart or Target locations may choose different closing times on Thanksgiving depending on state laws or customer traffic patterns—but USPS cannot make such localized exceptions.

Why Are Some Services Still Available?

Although official operations cease on Veterans Day, certain automated services remain technically accessible. These include:

USPS Collection Boxes – You can still drop off pre-paid mail.
Self-Service Kiosks – Located outside some post offices; users can print labels and buy stamps.
Online Services – USPS.com and the mobile app stay active for tracking, label creation, and scheduling pickups.

However, any mail placed in collection boxes on Veterans Day will not be processed until the next business day. Similarly, online purchases made through Click-N-Ship will only begin processing on November 12 if submitted on November 11. No carrier routes are active, and no personnel are assigned to deliveries or counter services.

Factors Influencing Holiday Closures at USPS

Unlike commercial logistics companies, the U.S. Postal Service must comply with federal employment regulations. Veterans Day, established as a uniform holiday for federal workers, mandates non-essential office closures—including USPS facilities. The rationale behind this includes honoring military veterans, providing rest for federal employees, and aligning with broader governmental operations.

One key distinction between USPS and private couriers lies in labor agreements and operational funding. Private carriers like FedEx Ground often reduce but do not eliminate service on Veterans Day, particularly for commercial accounts. However, they also typically do not deliver to residential addresses on this day. UPS follows a similar semi-closed model. But again, these decisions are company-specific and subject to change annually.

In contrast, USPS has no discretion in altering its holiday schedule without congressional or administrative action. Even in high-demand seasons, such as near major shopping holidays, Veterans Day remains a fixed closure date. There are no regional exceptions—even in large metropolitan areas like New York City, Los Angeles, or Chicago, where package volume is exceptionally high.

Holiday Timing and Adjacent Days

Veterans Day is always observed on November 11, regardless of the weekday. If November 11 falls on a weekend, the federal government typically observes the holiday on the nearest Friday or Monday. However, USPS treats the actual calendar date—November 11—as the official holiday, even if it lands on a Saturday or Sunday.

For instance:

If Veterans Day falls on a Saturday (e.g., November 11, 2023), most offices closed the prior Friday.
If it falls on a Sunday (e.g., November 11, 2029), the observed closure moves to Monday, November 12.

Despite this adjustment, mail delivery is suspended on the actual holiday date. So if November 11 is a Sunday, no deliveries occur that day—even though most employees were already off work. This ensures consistency in service expectations and prevents confusion among senders and recipients.

The days immediately before and after Veterans Day usually see normal operations unless another holiday intervenes. Retail counters remain open, delivery routes run as scheduled, and Priority Mail Express (which operates 365 days a year) continues unaffected—except on Christmas Day. More on that exception later.

Planning Around USPS Closures: Practical Tips

Knowing that the U.S. Postal Service is closed on Veterans Day allows individuals and small businesses to prepare accordingly. Here are several actionable steps to avoid delays:

1. Ship Early

If you need a package delivered by November 11, ship it at least two to three business days in advance, depending on destination and service type. For example:

First-Class Mail: Allow 3–5 business days for cross-country delivery.
Priority Mail: Typically 1–3 days; send by Thursday, November 9 for guaranteed arrival before Veterans Day.
Ground Advantage: Formerly First-Class Package Service; transit times vary widely by zone.

2. Use Priority Mail Express for Time-Sensitive Needs

Prior to Veterans Day, consider upgrading to Priority Mail Express, the only USPS service that offers guaranteed 365-day-a-year delivery—including most federal holidays (except Christmas Day). With overnight delivery and money-back guarantees, this option ensures timely arrival even when standard services are disrupted.

3. Drop Off Packages Before the Holiday

Ensure all outgoing mail and parcels are handed in by the close of business on Friday, November 10. Avoid last-minute trips on the morning of the 11th, assuming drop boxes count as “delivery.” Remember: items deposited on Veterans Day enter the system on the next processing day, potentially delaying delivery by 24–72 hours depending on route schedules.

4. Check Alternative Shipping Options

Private carriers may offer partial service. While neither UPS nor FedEx provide full residential delivery on Veterans Day, some commercial routes operate. Verify current holiday schedules directly via:

5. Confirm Local Post Office Hours

Even outside holidays, individual post office lobbies may have unique operating hours. To verify your local branch’s schedule:

Visit USPS Location Finder.
Enter your ZIP code.
Select the facility and view detailed hours, including holiday exceptions.
Sign up for email alerts or use the USPS Mobile App for real-time updates.

Note: Policies can change yearly. Always reconfirm dates close to the event, especially around election years or national emergencies when adjustments may occur.

Holiday	Mail Delivery?	Post Office Open?	Notes
New Year’s Day	No	No	Federal holiday; no operations
Martin Luther King Jr. Day	No	No	Nationwide closure
Veterans Day	No	No	No delivery or lobby access
Thanksgiving Day	No	No	Pre-holiday rush common
Christmas Day	No	No	Only day PME doesn’t run
Mother’s Day	Yes	Yes	Not a federal holiday
Easter Sunday	Yes*	No	Limited rural delivery only

Frequently Asked Questions

Does USPS deliver mail on Veterans Day?

No, the U.S. Postal Service does not deliver any type of mail—letters, flats, or packages—on Veterans Day. It is a federally observed holiday with full operational shutdown.

Are post offices open on Veterans Day?

No, all retail post office locations are closed on Veterans Day. Customers cannot access teller services, purchase stamps in person, or pick up held packages.

Can I drop off a package on Veterans Day?

You can place a pre-labeled, prepaid package into a blue collection box or use a self-service kiosk, but it won’t be collected or processed until the next business day.

Does Priority Mail Express run on Veterans Day?

Yes, Priority Mail Express is delivered 365 days a year, including Veterans Day, except for Christmas Day. This makes it ideal for urgent shipments during holiday periods.

Will my Amazon or online order arrive on Veterans Day?

If your package is shipped via USPS, it will not arrive on Veterans Day. However, orders sent through Amazon Logistics, UPS, or FedEx Home Delivery might still be delivered, depending on the carrier’s holiday policy.