Can UPS Deliver on Sundays? A Complete Guide to Weekend Deliveries

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Table of Contents

  1. Introduction

  2. The Evolution of Delivery Expectations

  3. What is UPS? A Trusted Logistics Provider

  4. Can UPS Deliver on Sundays? The Straight Answer

  5. UPS Services That Support Sunday Deliveries

  6. How Sunday UPS Deliveries Work

  7. Sunday Delivery Coverage Areas

  8. Amazon and UPS: The Sunday Partnership

  9. UPS Express Critical®: 365-Day Delivery

  10. Residential Sunday Deliveries: What to Expect

  11. Sunday Delivery for Businesses

  12. How to Schedule a Sunday UPS Delivery

  13. UPS vs. FedEx vs. USPS: Sunday Comparison

  14. Tracking Sunday Deliveries with UPS

  15. Costs Associated with Sunday Deliveries

  16. Customer Reviews and Real-World Experiences

  17. How to Know If Your Package Will Arrive on Sunday

  18. Can You Pick Up a UPS Package on Sunday?

  19. Sunday Delivery Challenges and Limitations

  20. The Future of Sunday Deliveries with UPS

  21. Conclusion

1. Introduction

In today’s world of fast-paced e-commerce, customers demand quick, convenient deliveries—even on weekends. One of the most common shipping questions consumers and businesses ask is:
“Can UPS deliver on Sundays?”

In this in-depth article, we’ll explore everything you need to know about UPS Sunday delivery: how it works, where it’s available, how to schedule it, what services include it, and how it compares to competitors like FedEx and USPS.

2. The Evolution of Delivery Expectations

Not long ago, waiting 5–7 days for a package was considered normal. But with companies like Amazon offering same-day and Sunday deliveries, consumer expectations have skyrocketed.

As people shop more online than ever, especially during weekends, there’s an urgent demand for weekend delivery options, including Sunday delivery.

This has pushed traditional logistics companies like UPS (United Parcel Service) to innovate and extend their services beyond Monday to Saturday.

3. What is UPS? A Trusted Logistics Provider

United Parcel Service (UPS) is one of the world’s leading logistics and package delivery companies. Founded in 1907, UPS handles over 24 million packages per day across 220+ countries and territories.

Known for its brown trucks, reliability, and advanced tracking, UPS offers a wide range of services:

  • UPS Ground and 3-Day Select

  • UPS Next Day Air®

  • UPS Express Critical®

  • UPS SurePost® (in partnership with USPS)

  • Freight and Supply Chain Solutions

But does their trusted service extend to Sunday delivery? Let’s find out.

4. Can UPS Deliver on Sundays? The Straight Answer

Yes, UPS can deliver on Sundays—but only in certain situations.

UPS has started limited Sunday deliveries, primarily through partnerships with Amazon, and in high-demand metro areas for residential customers.

Key Takeaways:

  • Sunday delivery is not standard across all UPS services.

  • It’s available for Amazon packages, UPS SurePost, and UPS Express Critical®.

  • Sunday service availability depends on ZIP code and package type.

5. UPS Services That Support Sunday Deliveries

Not every UPS shipping service includes Sunday delivery. Here’s a breakdown:

A. Amazon & UPS Partnership

UPS delivers Amazon packages on Sundays in select regions, as part of Amazon’s 7-day delivery commitment.

B. UPS SurePost® (with USPS)

This economical service hands off deliveries to USPS, which then may deliver on Sunday.

C. UPS Express Critical®

This premium service is available 365 days a year, including Sundays, for urgent, time-sensitive deliveries.

6. How Sunday UPS Deliveries Work

If you’re receiving a package on Sunday, here’s what usually happens:

  1. Shipper Chooses Eligible Service: Either Amazon, SurePost, or Express Critical.

  2. Logistics Planning: UPS processes and sorts packages Saturday night.

  3. Local Partner (like USPS) or UPS team delivers on Sunday.

  4. Tracking Updates show “Out for Delivery” on Sunday morning.

  5. Delivery Window is typically between 9 AM and 7 PM.

7. Sunday Delivery Coverage Areas

UPS does not offer Sunday delivery in every ZIP code. Coverage is primarily in:

  • Major U.S. cities

  • Suburban areas with high delivery volume

  • Regions where Amazon or USPS Sunday operations exist

Popular Cities with Sunday Delivery:

  • New York

  • Los Angeles

  • Chicago

  • Dallas

  • Atlanta

  • San Francisco

  • Houston

Use the UPS ZIP Code Tool or contact UPS directly to check local Sunday availability.

8. Amazon and UPS: The Sunday Partnership

UPS plays a key role in Amazon’s Sunday delivery operations. While Amazon owns its delivery fleet (Amazon Logistics), it still contracts UPS to fulfill many orders on Sundays.

If you’re an Amazon Prime member, your package may arrive on Sunday via a brown UPS truck, especially if the warehouse is nearby and the order is time-sensitive.

9. UPS Express Critical®: 365-Day Delivery

For businesses or individuals who need a guaranteed Sunday delivery, UPS Express Critical® is the most reliable option.

Features:

  • Time-definite delivery

  • Available 24/7, 365 days

  • Real-time tracking and updates

  • Often used for:

    • Medical equipment

    • Legal documents

    • Critical parts

    • High-value goods

Cost: Premium. Often hundreds or thousands of dollars, depending on urgency and distance.

10. Residential Sunday Deliveries: What to Expect

When Do UPS Deliveries Happen on Sundays?

  • Most residential deliveries arrive between 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM.

  • Tracking info will usually say “Out for Delivery” on Sunday morning.

Can You Request Sunday Delivery?

Only if:

  • The retailer supports it (e.g., Amazon).

  • You’re shipping through Express Critical.

  • Your location is eligible.

11. Sunday Delivery for Businesses

While residential Sunday deliveries are growing, business deliveries are limited.

Business Sunday Delivery Scenarios:

  • Medical facilities

  • Legal and financial services

  • Manufacturing operations

  • Emergency replacement parts

In most cases, these deliveries go through Express Critical, custom contracts, or Amazon B2B services.

12. How to Schedule a Sunday UPS Delivery

If You’re the Shipper:

  1. Visit UPS.com

  2. Create or log in to your UPS account

  3. Start a shipment

  4. Choose UPS Express Critical or SurePost

  5. Enter a Sunday-eligible ZIP code

  6. Confirm availability and print the label

If You’re a Receiver:

  • You can’t choose Sunday delivery.

  • Your sender must choose a service that supports Sunday.

  • You can opt-in to UPS My Choice® for real-time updates and delivery preferences.

13. UPS vs. FedEx vs. USPS: Sunday Comparison

Carrier Sunday Delivery Availability Cost Best For
UPS Yes (limited) Amazon, Express Critical $$$ Urgent or Amazon orders
FedEx Yes Home Delivery in 98% of U.S. $$ E-commerce shipments
USPS Yes Nationwide (Amazon Priority) $ Budget-friendly Sunday delivery

UPS remains the most premium and reliable, but not the most widespread.

14. Tracking Sunday Deliveries with UPS

Tracking UPS Sunday deliveries is no different than any other day:

  • Use Tracking ID at UPS.com

  • Or install the UPS Mobile App

  • UPS My Choice® offers delivery alerts, real-time tracking, and the ability to reschedule or reroute packages.

Look for “Out for Delivery Today” on Sunday morning.

15. Costs Associated with Sunday Deliveries

Cost Breakdown:

  • Amazon Orders: Free with Prime

  • UPS SurePost: Retailers include delivery costs in price

  • UPS Express Critical: Starts at $150+, depending on:

    • Delivery speed

    • Distance

    • Weight

    • Service tier

For standard customers, Sunday delivery is not automatically an extra charge—but it depends on the service selected.

16. Customer Reviews and Real-World Experiences

Real User Feedback:

“UPS delivered my Amazon package on Sunday before noon. Didn’t expect it but very happy!”

“Used Express Critical for a legal document. Costly but absolutely worth it.”

“My retailer said delivery Monday, but it came Sunday afternoon. Surprised!”

While feedback is mostly positive, some users in rural areas report inconsistent Sunday availability.

17. How to Know If Your Package Will Arrive on Sunday

Here’s how to tell:

  • You see “Out for Delivery” status on Sunday morning

  • Your Amazon or retailer order mentions Sunday delivery

  • You live in an area supported for weekend deliveries

  • The service type is SurePost, Express Critical, or Amazon contract

18. Can You Pick Up a UPS Package on Sunday?

Most UPS Customer Centers are closed on Sundays, but some Access Point locations like:

  • CVS

  • Michaels

  • Advance Auto Parts

…may allow Sunday pickup. Check your tracking status to confirm if pickup is available.

19. Sunday Delivery Challenges and Limitations

Despite growing demand, Sunday delivery still faces some hurdles:

  • Geographic limitations

  • Limited staffing on weekends

  • Higher delivery costs

  • Dependency on partner networks (like USPS)

  • Weather or traffic-related delays

Still, UPS continues to invest in automation and last-mile innovation to overcome these barriers.

20. The Future of Sunday Deliveries with UPS

As online shopping surges and consumers expect weekend delivery, UPS is expanding Sunday services steadily.

Expected Developments:

  • Broader rollout of 7-day ground delivery

  • Enhanced partnerships with retailers

  • More cities added to Sunday coverage

  • Integration with drone and autonomous delivery tech

UPS is building the infrastructure to become a fully 7-day delivery service provider in the near future.

21. Conclusion

So, can UPS deliver on Sundays?

Yes, it can—but with limitations. UPS provides Sunday delivery primarily for:

  • Amazon orders

  • Select residential addresses

  • Time-sensitive Express Critical shipments

While it’s not yet universal, availability is expanding, and UPS is increasingly committed to 7-day service.

If you’re a customer wanting your package ASAP or a business needing emergency logistics, UPS Sunday delivery may be the solution you’re looking for. Just remember to check eligibility, service type, and local ZIP code coverage.