Does USPS Ship To Puerto Rico In 2024?
Yes, USPS ships to Puerto Rico and has done so for decades. As an unincorporated territory of the U.S., packages between Puerto Rico and the 50 states are considered domestic shipments. This means USPS provides better rates compared to other carriers.
Delivery Times To Expect
Delivery times depend on your origin point, but most packages arrive within:**
- 3-5 days from East Coast
- 5-7 days from Midwest/Central
- 7-10 days from West Coast
Packages to more remote or mountainous interior regions can take an additional 1-2 days.
How USPS Shipping Costs Compare
Based on a 10 lb package from Pennsylvania to San Juan:
| Carrier | Service | Price |
|---|---|---|
| USPS | Priority Mail | $21.90 |
| FedEx | Intl. Economy | $109.52 |
| UPS | Worldwide Expedited | $87.42 |
USPS leverages their own planes and boats to keep costs low – whereas other carriers pay 3rd party freight shippers.
In 2021, USPS delivered over 9 million total packages to Puerto Rico. Offering domestic pricing gives them major competitive advantage over pricier private carriers.
Steps For Shipping with USPS
When addressing shipments:
- Include urbanization
- Secure contents to withstand motion
- No customs forms needed
Sample address:
Juan Vega
Urbanizacion Garden Hills
1234 Calle Alta, Apt. 5E
San Juan, PR 00926-2222
Priority Mail vs. Priority Mail Express
If your package needs to get there ASAP, Priority Mail Express offers next-day delivery by 6PM when sent by 10:30AM – with Saturday delivery available for additional $12.50.
| Service | Delivery Time | Starting Prices |
|---|---|---|
| Priority Mail | 2-3 days | $7.95 envelopes $21.90 boxes |
| Priority Mail Express | Next day by 6PM | $26.35 envelopes |
Weather and Other Shipping Challenges
Situated in the Caribbean seas brings potential for stormy weather. Using waterproof packaging and materials can help items withstand downpours en route.
Also, Puerto Rico import/export falls under the Jones Act – limiting foreign ships from directly serving the island. This federal regulation results in higher costs for Puerto Ricans.
Overall USPS still reigns supreme for affordable and reliable shipping from the U.S. mainland to Puerto Rico. Just take care in addressing and packing shipments to handle rough travel conditions.
