USPS Faces Decline in International Volume, Affecting Cross-Border E-commerce Market

Trade & Border IssuesHot Spots
Written By Jennifer Joslyn

The U.S. Postal Service is experiencing a significant decline in international volume, despite the growth of cross-border e-commerce. Over the past five fiscal years, the inbound international volume has decreased by 74%, while outbound international volume has fallen by 38%. The decline can be attributed to increased competition, new supply chain models, and higher prices for lightweight postal products. To address this, USPS is urged to develop commercial shipping options, improve the postal channel's usability, and expedite efforts to combat counterfeit shipping labels. Boosting cross-border package volumes is crucial for USPS's 10-year transformation plan and its goal to compete with FedEx and UPS.

Read more from Supply Chain Dive ▶

Featured
House Approves USPS Crash Reporting Rules for Trucking Contractors
House Approves USPS Crash Reporting Rules for Trucking Contractors

House lawmakers have passed the Mail Traffic Deaths Reporting Act of 2024, directing the U.S. Postal Service to create new rules for tracking crashes involving its trucking contractors.

Postal Service Safety Report Reveals Oversight Gaps in Trucking Contracts
Postal Service Safety Report Reveals Oversight Gaps in Trucking Contracts

A recent safety report by the U.S. Postal Service's Office of Inspector General (OIG) suggests lax oversight of contracted trucking companies, brokers, and drivers may contribute to accidents and fatalities on American highways.

FedEx's Potential Profit Boost is From Rethinking the Postal Partnership
FedEx's Potential Profit Boost is From Rethinking the Postal Partnership

FedEx might actually benefit from losing its colossal contract with the U.S. Postal Service, according to Brandon Oglenski, an analyst at Barclays Bank.

FedEx Expects Significant Business Loss with USPS
FedEx Expects Significant Business Loss with USPS

FedEx is anticipating a significant loss of business with the U.S. Postal Service when its current contract expires.

U.S. Postal Service Ends Holiday Surcharges for Competitive Edge
U.S. Postal Service Ends Holiday Surcharges for Competitive Edge

The U.S. Postal Service has announced that it will not impose peak season surcharges during the upcoming holiday season.

Postal Service Slashes Air Cargo by 90% in 2-Year Cost-Cutting Drive
Postal Service Slashes Air Cargo by 90% in 2-Year Cost-Cutting Drive

The U.S. Postal Service has drastically decreased its air cargo shipments by 90% over a two-year period, leading to an estimated $1 billion in annual transportation cost savings, according to U.S. Postmaster General Louis DeJoy.

US CEP Market Experiences Shifts in Demand, Pricing Power, and Competition
US CEP Market Experiences Shifts in Demand, Pricing Power, and Competition

The US Courier, Express, and Parcel (CEP) market has seen a decline in demand and a shift in consumer spending patterns, leading to decreased package deliveries.

USPS Faces Decline in International Volume, Affecting Cross-Border E-commerce Market
USPS Faces Decline in International Volume, Affecting Cross-Border E-commerce Market

The U.S. Postal Service (USPS) is experiencing a significant decline in international volume, despite the growth of cross-border e-commerce.

The Pony Express has been revived and is once again in operation
The Pony Express has been revived and is once again in operation

The National Pony Express Association and the U.S. Postal Service are commemorating the Pony Express' 163rd anniversary with a 10-day, nearly 2,000-mile ride from Old Sacramento, California, to St. Joseph, Missouri.

USPS mail volume is slowing down
USPS mail volume is slowing down

The decline has been consistent for the last 15 years, but speeding up in the short term.

Electric mail trucks are filling up slots in the US Portal Service fleet
Electric mail trucks are filling up slots in the US Portal Service fleet

Nearly 10,000 Ford E-Transit vans and 14,000 charging stations have been ordered by the US Postal Service as part of its environmental plan.

USPS fleet to be 75% EV by 2028, due to IRA funding
USPS fleet to be 75% EV by 2028, due to IRA funding

The Inflation Reduction Act was signed into law by President Joe Biden back in August, and the US Postal Service is looking to benefit.

Regardless of pushes for more taxpayer money, the USPS is supposed to be self-sufficient, by law
Regardless of pushes for more taxpayer money, the USPS is supposed to be self-sufficient, by law

The issue is now decades-old, but still persistent. The United States Postal Service is desperate for reform, even after taxpayer money is continually dumped into it.

USPS is prepared for the 2022 peak season “boom”
USPS is prepared for the 2022 peak season “boom”

After previous years provided to be a disaster, the United States Postal Service is more equipped to handle the 2022 peak season rush than years before.

USPS is making big moves to keep up with its competitors UPS and FedEx
USPS is making big moves to keep up with its competitors UPS and FedEx

The U.S. Postmaster General Louis DeJoy is looking to transform the government agency into a major competitor with private carriers such as FedEx and UPS. But will these changes be in vain?

USPS launches next-day local delivery program, handles 65 parcels in 3 months
USPS launches next-day local delivery program, handles 65 parcels in 3 months

Well, that’s a bit embarrassing - USPS Connect Local Mail, a new U.S. Postal Service program offering next-day local delivery, made less than $200 and handled only 65 parcels in its first three months of testing.

Jennifer Joslyn
Previous

California Transportation Commission Approves $42 Million Grant for Port of Oakland's Green Power Microgrid Project
Next

Fossil Fuel Giants Embrace Natural Gas as Demand Surges, Challenging Green Transition