Postal Service to deliver for Amazon on Sundays

The U.S. Postal Service has struck a deal with Amazon to deliver packages on Sundays for the online giant.

The deal, announced on Monday, will provide much-needed revenue for the cash-strapped Postal Service and will give Amazon an edge over its competitors. 

The service is only available to customers who subscribe to Amazon Prime.

{mosads}It will start immediately for customers in the Los Angeles and New York metropolitan areas. Amazon plans to expand to expand it to Dallas, Houston, New Orleans, Phoenix and other areas next year.

“If you’re an Amazon Prime member, you can order a backpack for your child on Friday and be packing it for them Sunday night,” said Dave Clark, Amazon’s vice president of worldwide operations and customer service. “We’re excited that now every day is an Amazon delivery day.”

Postmaster General Patrick Donahoe noted that the Postal Service “is now delivering packages seven days a week in select cities.” 

“Customers can expect the same reliable and valued service that the Postal Service currently provides,” he said.

The Postal Service, which lost nearly $16 billion last year, has been trying to end Saturday mail delivery but has failed to win congressional approval.

Delivering packages is much more profitable for the Postal Service than first-class mail. The service already delivers some packages on Sundays for an extra fee.

The deal will ensure that Sunday deliveries are made through the Postal Service and not its competitors UPS and FedEx, which do not deliver on Sundays. 

Amazon and the Postal Service did not disclose the financial details of their deal.