You’ve got a stack of bills to send or maybe a late birthday card that absolutely has to get in the mail. Then you realize it’s July 5th. You start second-guessing yourself because July 4th was yesterday, and usually, when a holiday falls on a weekend, everything gets weird. Does the post office take the day off? Are the trucks actually moving?
Knowing is usps open on july 5th depends entirely on the calendar year you're in, and honestly, the answer for 2026 is a bit unique compared to previous years.
The Sunday Rule That Changes Everything
In 2026, July 5th falls on a Sunday. This is the big "gotcha" for anyone waiting on a package.
Typically, if July 5th is a weekday, the post office is wide open. It isn’t a federal holiday. However, since the United States Postal Service (USPS) does not perform regular mail delivery on Sundays, you won't see your mail carrier walking the neighborhood on July 5th this year. It’s not because of Independence Day—it’s just a standard Sunday.
Wait. There is a catch.
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If you’re expecting a Priority Mail Express package or an Amazon delivery, you might actually see a white truck. USPS has specific contracts to deliver certain types of parcels on Sundays, even during holiday weekends. So, while your letters and magazines are sitting in a sorting bin, that air fryer you ordered on Friday might still show up at your door.
What about the "Observed" Holiday?
Since July 4, 2026, is a Saturday, the federal government observes the holiday on Friday, July 3. This means that on Friday, July 3, most post offices will be closed and regular mail won't run.
By the time July 5th rolls around, the "official" holiday observance is already over. But because it’s a Sunday, the retail counters stay closed.
Is USPS Open on July 5th for Retail Services?
If you were planning to walk into a post office lobby to buy stamps or ship a heavy box on July 5, 2026, you're out of luck.
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Post office retail windows are closed on Sundays across the country. You can still use the self-service kiosks in the lobby (if your local branch has one) to weigh packages and print postage, but there won't be a human behind the counter to help you.
- Lobby Access: Most post office lobbies stay open 24/7, so you can check your P.O. Box.
- Drop Boxes: You can drop letters in the blue bins, but they won't be collected until Monday morning.
- Customer Service: The 1-800-ASK-USPS line usually has automated options, but live agents won't be available.
How UPS and FedEx Compare This Weekend
Sometimes it’s easier to just pivot to a private carrier if you’re in a rush. But don't get your hopes up too high for July 5th.
UPS follows a very similar rhythm to the postal service. On Sunday, July 5, 2026, UPS domestic ground, air, and international services are closed. The only thing moving in their network is "UPS Express Critical," which is way too expensive for most people unless you're shipping a literal organ or a high-stakes legal document.
FedEx is also mostly quiet. FedEx Ground and FedEx Freight are closed on Sundays. Some FedEx Office locations might have modified hours, so you could potentially go there to print a document, but don't expect a truck to pick up your shipment until Monday.
Why People Get Confused About July 5th
The reason we keep asking is usps open on july 5th is that the "day after" a holiday feels like it should be part of the break.
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In years where July 4th falls on a Sunday, the federal holiday is observed on Monday, July 5th. In those specific years, the post office would be closed on the 5th. This happened back in 2021. Because the calendar shifts every year, the rules for the post office shift with it.
For 2026, the "missed" day of mail is actually Friday, July 3rd. It feels backwards, right?
Actionable Steps for Your Mail
If you have something urgent, waiting until Monday, July 6th is your only real bet for standard service. Here is exactly what you can do right now if you're stuck:
Use the USPS Self-Service Kiosk
If you have a package ready to go, find a 24-hour post office. You can pay for shipping and drop the package in the secure bin inside the lobby. It won't move until Monday, but at least it's out of your house and in the system.
Check Your Tracking Status
If you are expecting a package, check the USPS tracking page. If the status says "Expected Delivery: July 5," it’s almost certainly a Priority Mail Express or Amazon-partnered shipment. If it says "July 6," don't bother stalking the window for the mail truck.
Print Postage at Home
You don't need an open post office to ship. Use a service like Pirate Ship or the official USPS "Click-N-Ship" to print a label. You can then schedule a pickup for Monday or just drop it off when you pass a blue mailbox.
Verify Local Store Hours
Places like Walgreens or CVS often sell stamps and sometimes act as drop-off points for other carriers. They are open on July 5th even when the federal buildings are dark.
Monday, July 6, 2026, will be a "heavy mail day." Since there hasn't been regular delivery on Friday, Saturday, or Sunday, your mail carrier will be loaded down. Expect your mail to arrive a little later in the afternoon than usual as they work through the backlog of the long Independence Day weekend.