Businesses sending parcels to the USA, through the US Postal Service could soon be facing five day delivery weeks, rather than the current six.

The U.S.P.S is facing a massive financial deficit, and is planning to stop delivering on Saturdays as early as 2011, as part of a package of cost-saving measures.

Around 40,000 jobs in the mail service are also likely to go as a result.

The USA's national postal service reports that it delivered 26 billion fewer letters and parcels in the USA in 2009, than the previous year.

It is looking at a deficit of $240 billion within ten years, if current trends continue.

Thousands of British individuals and mail-order traders send parcels to USA-based customers every week.

They will have to compensate for upheavals at U.S.P.S in order to keep hold of business.

Ultimately, due to the special position of the US Postal Service, any decision to stop delivering mail on Saturdays would have to be approved by Congress.