The U.S. Postal Service plans to open up access to its last-mile delivery network, a move that could give shippers new ways to reach customers faster while creating a new revenue stream for USPS.
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Under the plan, USPS will allow shippers to bid for access to more than 18,000 delivery destination units, or DDUs, across the country. The Postal Service expects to begin accepting bids in late January or early February 2026, with service launching later that year.
Shippers that win bids would be able to inject packages directly into local USPS delivery units, with USPS handling final delivery the same day or the next day, depending on customer preference. Bids will be based on a mix of volume, pricing, and tender times at each location.
“In the logistics business, the most expensive part of delivery is generally the ‘last mile’ portion of a route,” said Postmaster General and CEO David Steiner. “As part of our universal service obligation, we deliver to more than 170 million addresses at least six days a week, so we are the natural leader in last-mile delivery.”
USPS said the program is designed to appeal to a wide range of shippers, from large retailers and logistics providers to smaller regional players that want faster delivery without building their own last-mile networks.
“We see this initiative as a compelling value proposition for many shippers who we know are wrestling with the need to deliver to their customer as quickly and reliably as possible,” Steiner said.
Before launching a formal bid platform, USPS plans to meet with potential participants to gather feedback and fine-tune the process. More details are expected in the coming months.
USPS said winning bids will be finalized through negotiated service agreements tied to its Parcel Select product. The agency expects to notify successful bidders in the second quarter of 2026, with service beginning in the third quarter.
“The Postal Service’s valuable last-mile network can now be our customer’s advantage,” Steiner said. “Our last mile can become our customer’s last mile.”
