Alaska Bypass Mail Program

Alaska Bypass Mail is an Alaska-only category of parcel post that skips U.S. Postal Service facilities, moving goods, mostly food, from Anchorage and Fairbanks by private carrier to retailers off the road system. The Postal Service subsidises it, at an estimated $133 million in 2022.[1]

How it works

Shipments must go from one seller to one recipient, be shrink-wrapped, move on pallets and weigh at least 1,000 pounds. Once a carrier takes possession, the carrier handles storage, loading, unloading and delivery rather than the Postal Service. Mainline carriers deliver to hub destinations, where mail passes to Bush carriers that serve small villages off the road system.[1]

Origins

The source does not give a single start year. It says Bypass Mail grew out of the 1970s, when Anchorage post offices could not process the volume of parcel post bound for rural Alaska, and postal employees began sending large orders directly to air carriers.[1]

Volume and carriers

Bureau of Transportation Statistics data through November 2024 cited in the source show Grant Aviation flew 17 million pounds of U.S. mail in the year, mostly Bypass Mail, Bering Air 13.8 million, Alaska Central Express 11.3 million, Ryan Air 11 million and Wright Air Service 5.4 million, while Everts Air Cargo flew just over 25 million pounds across mainline and Bush mail.[1]

FAQs

What is Alaska Bypass Mail? A parcel category that sends bulk goods by private carrier to off-road-system retailers.

How heavy must a shipment be? At least 1,000 pounds.

Who pays? The U.S. Postal Service subsidises it.

Sources

1. Alaska Beacon: Possible Postal Service changes present challenge to Alaska Bypass Mail

Editorially reviewed by Specialty Digest Editorial TeamLast reviewed November 14, 2026Researched and drafted with AI assistanceReport an issue