UPS SurePost changes put shippers at a crossroads

Changes over the past month for UPS’ SurePost service will lead shippers to explore other options, but shifting volume won’t be easy for every customer, parcel delivery experts told Supply Chain Dive.

UPS began making all SurePost deliveries in-house on Jan. 1, rather than relying on the Postal Service for much of that activity, according to a statement on the company’s investor relations website. The statement confirmed earlier remarks from the Teamsters union, which said the move brings millions of packages back into UPS’ network for final-mile delivery.

SurePost’s delivery coverage and transit times appear to have changed as a result of the Postal Service split. UPS no longer lists PO Boxes and addresses outside the contiguous U.S. as an option for SurePost. Transit times are now an estimated two to six days in the contiguous U.S., compared to two to seven days when the Postal Service partnership was active.

UPS’ delivery ins…