Federal Postal System
United States Postal Service
Binding the nation together since 1775 — the USPS delivers to every address in America, operating the largest civilian vehicle fleet and postal network on Earth.
167M+
Delivery Points
640,000
Employees
31,000+
Post Offices
128B
Pieces Delivered/Year
Agency Overview
The United States Postal Service
The United States Postal Service (USPS) is an independent agency of the executive branch of the U.S. federal government. Established by the Postal Reorganization Act of 1970, it succeeded the U.S. Post Office Department — itself founded by the Second Continental Congress in 1775 with Benjamin Franklin as the first Postmaster General.
The USPS is legally obligated to serve all Americans regardless of geography, delivering to every address in the nation six days a week. It operates without direct taxpayer funding, relying on postage and service revenues. As a self-sustaining government enterprise, it is one of the few federal agencies explicitly authorized by the U.S. Constitution.
USPS at a Glance
- Founded
- July 26, 1775
- Reorganized
- July 1, 1971
- Headquarters
- Washington, D.C.
- Postmaster General
- Louis DeJoy
- Annual Revenue
- $78.2 billion
Postal Services
Mail & Delivery Services
The USPS offers a comprehensive range of domestic and international mail, package, and financial services for individuals, businesses, and government.
First-Class Mail
Delivery: 1–5 days
Standard letter and flat mail service for personal and business correspondence, bills, and small packages up to 13 oz.
Priority Mail
Delivery: 1–3 days
Fast, affordable domestic shipping with flat-rate options. Includes tracking and up to $100 insurance.
Priority Mail Express
Delivery: Overnight
The fastest USPS domestic service — guaranteed overnight delivery to most U.S. locations, 365 days a year.
USPS Ground Advantage
Delivery: 2–5 days
Affordable ground shipping for packages up to 70 lbs. Replaced Parcel Select and First-Class Package in 2023.
Media Mail
Delivery: 2–8 days
Low-cost shipping for books, CDs, DVDs, and educational materials. Restricted to qualifying media content.
Marketing Mail
Delivery: 3–10 days
Bulk mail service for businesses and nonprofits sending advertising, catalogs, and newsletters at reduced rates.
Certified Mail
Delivery: 1–5 days
Provides proof of mailing and delivery with a unique tracking number. Required for legal and official correspondence.
Registered Mail
Delivery: Varies
The most secure USPS service — chain-of-custody tracking for high-value items with up to $50,000 insurance.
Global Express Guaranteed
Delivery: 1–3 days
Fastest international service in partnership with FedEx. Guaranteed delivery to 190+ countries.
Priority Mail International
Delivery: 6–10 days
Affordable international shipping with flat-rate options to 180+ countries with tracking.
PO Box Service
Delivery: N/A
Secure mail reception at a post office location. Available in five sizes at 31,000+ post offices nationwide.
Postal Money Orders
Delivery: N/A
Secure payment instruments available up to $1,000 each, accepted worldwide. Over 100 million issued annually.
Postal Network
Infrastructure & Operations
The USPS operates one of the largest logistics networks in the world, with processing facilities, vehicle fleets, and carrier routes spanning every corner of the country.
195
Processing & Distribution Centers
Automated facilities that sort and route mail and packages using advanced optical character recognition and barcode technology.
230,000+
Vehicle Fleet
The largest civilian vehicle fleet in the world, including the new NGDV electric delivery vehicles being deployed through 2028.
230,000+
Carrier Routes
Individual delivery routes covering every residential and business address in the United States, six days per week.
31,000+
Retail Locations
Post offices, stations, and branches providing retail services, passport acceptance, and PO Box rentals nationwide.
421M
Daily Mail Volume
Average pieces of mail and packages processed and delivered every single business day across the USPS network.
Multiple
Air Transportation Partners
USPS contracts with commercial airlines and air cargo carriers to transport Priority Mail Express and international mail.
7 Postal Areas
Northeast Area
CT, MA, ME, NH, NJ, NY, RI, VT
4 districts
Atlantic Area
DC, DE, MD, NC, PA, SC, VA, WV
4 districts
Southeast Area
AL, FL, GA, MS, TN
3 districts
Great Lakes Area
IL, IN, MI, OH, WI
4 districts
Southwest Area
AR, LA, OK, TX
3 districts
Central Area
CO, IA, KS, MN, MO, MT, ND, NE, SD, WY
4 districts
Western Area
AK, AZ, CA, HI, ID, NV, NM, OR, UT, WA
5 districts
Leadership
Postal Leadership & Governance
The USPS is governed by an 11-member Board of Governors — nine presidentially appointed governors, the Postmaster General, and the Deputy Postmaster General.
Louis DeJoy
Postmaster General & CEO
Douglas Tulino
Deputy Postmaster General
Roman Martinez IV
Chairman, Board of Governors
Donald Moak
Vice Chairman, Board of Governors
Ron A. Bloom
Governor
Annie Nwosu
Governor
Derek Kan
Governor
Amber McReynolds
Governor
Daniel Tangherlini
Governor
William D. Zollars
Governor
Modernization
Delivering for America Plan
The USPS 10-year Delivering for America plan, launched in 2021, is a $40 billion investment to modernize infrastructure, electrify the fleet, and expand package delivery capabilities.
Electric Vehicle Fleet
Replace the aging LLV fleet with 66,000+ Next Generation Delivery Vehicles (NGDV), at least 75% electric, by 2028.
Facility Modernization
Build and upgrade Regional Distribution Centers (RDCs) with state-of-the-art automation to improve speed and efficiency.
Package Growth Strategy
Expand Sunday and holiday delivery, extend retail hours, and grow the package business to compete with UPS and FedEx.
Workforce Investment
Competitive wages, improved benefits, and training programs to attract and retain 640,000 postal workers.
Digital & Technology
Upgrade IT infrastructure, expand Informed Delivery, and develop digital postal services for the 21st century.
Financial Sustainability
Achieve financial self-sufficiency through revenue growth, cost reduction, and postal rate modernization.
Current Rates
Postage Rates & Pricing
Current USPS domestic postage rates effective 2025. Rates are set by the Postal Regulatory Commission (PRC) and adjusted periodically.
Historical Timeline
250 Years of American Mail
Continental Post Office Founded
The Second Continental Congress establishes the postal system; Benjamin Franklin appointed first Postmaster General on July 26, 1775.
Postal Service Act
Congress passes the Postal Service Act, establishing the Post Office Department and defining the constitutional postal mission.
First U.S. Postage Stamps
The U.S. issues its first adhesive postage stamps — a 5-cent Benjamin Franklin and a 10-cent George Washington.
Pony Express
The Pony Express begins mail delivery from Missouri to California in 10 days — replaced by the transcontinental telegraph in 1861.
Rural Free Delivery
Congress mandates free mail delivery to rural Americans, connecting farms and small towns to the national postal network.
Airmail Service Begins
The Post Office Department launches the first scheduled airmail service between Washington D.C. and New York City.
ZIP Code System Introduced
The Zone Improvement Plan (ZIP) code system is introduced, revolutionizing mail sorting and delivery efficiency.
Postal Reorganization Act
President Nixon signs the Postal Reorganization Act, transforming the Post Office Department into the independent USPS.
Express Mail & Priority Mail
USPS launches Express Mail (now Priority Mail Express) and Priority Mail, competing directly with private carriers.
Anthrax Mail Attacks
Letters containing anthrax spores mailed through the postal system kill five people and prompt major security overhauls.
Postal Accountability & Enhancement Act
Congress requires USPS to pre-fund 75 years of retiree health benefits — a mandate that drives billions in annual losses.
Delivering for America Plan
Postmaster General DeJoy unveils the 10-year, $40 billion Delivering for America modernization plan.
Postal Service Reform Act
President Biden signs the Postal Service Reform Act, eliminating the pre-funding mandate and integrating retirees into Medicare.
USPS 250th Anniversary
The United States Postal Service celebrates 250 years of continuous service — the oldest federal agency still in operation.
Explore More Federal Infrastructure
The USPS works alongside federal agencies, the banking system, and the executive branch to serve every American.