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The Cheapest Ways to Ship Packages (2024 navigator)


High shipping rates can stop consumers from purchasing your products. Data suggests almost half of all abandoned carts are left due to additional shipping and responsibility costs.

So how can tiny businesses develop effective shipping strategies that keep product prices down without moving the expense of shipping on to customers?

And if you desire to send a package from home, how do you discover the cheapest rate?

To assist, here are the latest prices for sending packages with popular shipping carriers. Rates are compared by package size and weight, delivery speed, and whether the goal is domestic or international.

The cheapest way to ship a tiny package

For most purposes, the cheapest way to ship a tiny package such as a box or mailer bag is through USPS.

Each carrier has its own guidelines on what is considered a “tiny package.” The size and weight of your shipment will affect its worth, along with its goal and delivery speed.

To assist you contrast tiny package shipping rates among the major carriers, here’s an example. The table below shows how much it costs to send a tiny box from recent York to Chicago using a standard mailing class:

Provider Service Estimated delivery period Rate
USPS Priority Mail 3 business days $10.40
UPS Ground 2 business days $14.25
FedEx Ground 2 business days $15.02
DHL Express Domestic 1 business day $72.18

 

Shopify merchants in the US and Canada enjoy heavily discounted rates when shipping with USPS, UPS, DHL, Canada Post, and Sendle.

The cheapest way to ship a large package

Again, for personal and retail shipping, the cheapest way to send a package is usually by using USPS.

What is considered a large package varies depending on the type of mailing service that you request from a courier, such as whether it needs to trip by ground or air.

Below is the maximum regular package weight and dimensions for each of the major shipping companies:

For even larger packages, choose a freight service.

Here is the estimated expense of sending a large package from recent York to Chicago using a standard mailing service:

Provider Service Estimated delivery period Rate
USPS Ground Advantage 3 business days $19.15
UPS Ground 2 business days $26
FedEx Ground 2 business days $23.74
DHL Express Domestic 1 business day $116.69

 

The cheapest way to ship a package internationally

Many couriers compute their international shipping costs according to global import regulations and distance. So, for US merchants, the cheapest international shipping rates usually apply to packages bound for Canada.

Duties and import taxes can vary widely, depending on the worth of your shipment and the goal country. It’s up to merchants to decide whether they’ll pass responsibility for these fees onto customers, or propose a answer for international customers.

Here are the lowest international shipping rates for person tiny packages sent from the US to Canada:

Provider Service Estimated delivery period Rate
USPS Priority Mail International 6–10 business days $32.20
UPS UPS Worldwide Economy
(business account required)		 5–12 business days $20.63
FedEx International Ground 2 business days $31.71
DHL DHL Express Worldwide Next day $96.78

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The cheapest way to ship a package based on delivery speed

You occasionally require to get a package to its goal quickly, regardless of its weight or size. Whether you’re sending a personal item or shipping orders to customers, these are the best current options for quick shipping of standard packages.

Best rates for 2- to 3-day delivery

USPS Priority Mail is generally the cheapest shipping service for faster shipping. It offers 1- to 3-day shipping from $10.40, depending on the size of your package and its goal. USPS flat-rate boxes are a convenient, economical alternative here.

For larger packages, UPS and FedEx propose competitive rates for sub-three-day shipping.

Best rates for next-day delivery

Next-day delivery is your partner when you don’t have period on your side and require to ship your products as quickly and safely as feasible.

All major couriers propose next-day delivery options, but USPS Priority Mail Express is the cheapest, with regular pricing starting at $30.45.

UPS Air Saver and FedEx Standard Overnight are both guaranteed next-day services for US domestic packages. 

Prices depend on package size, goal, and delivery requirements (such as delivery at an exact period, or signature upon delivery).

Types of shipping methods

There are several types of shipping methods to consider depending on your location and how quickly you desire to get a package to its goal. 

  • Flat-rate shipping: Flat-rate shipping prices are based on weight and size bands. Customers pay a single rate, wherever their package falls within a size or weight category.
  • Free shipping: Businesses propose free shipping by incorporating the costs of shipping into their product pricing model.
  • Real-period carrier rates: Real-period shipping rates display the exact amount that a carrier will fee at checkout, taking package dimensions, weight, and distance into account.
  • Local shipping: An item is delivered to the customer without using a shipping service.
  • Pick-up: The customer picks up their package from a selected location.
  • International shipping: Used to ship a package across a national border.
  • Same-day delivery: An order arrives on the same business day that a customer makes a purchase.
  • Next-day delivery: An order arrives on the business day following a customer’s purchase.
  • Expedited shipping: Any way of delivery that is guaranteed to arrive at its goal faster than standard delivery methods.

There is no one-size-fits-all shipping schedule for businesses, and it’s often excellent habit to propose customers multiple shipping options at checkout.

Some types of shipping (like flat-rate and free shipping) assist manage expectations and provide transparency, while extra charge shipping options get products into customers’ hands as quickly as feasible.

How to choose a shipping provider

Each year, shipping providers update their costs, which can make choosing a carrier confusing. It’s significant to remain on top of changing shipping rates to protect your final profit and avoid expensive surprises.

Today’s shipping costs are based on multiple factors: distance, size, weight, and speed—which affect the worth of each delivery. Most carriers propose shipping calculators to assist customers comprehend pricing.

Shipping provider rate calculators

4 tips to keep shipping costs down

Negotiating rates and researching couriers will assist you make a successful shipping schedule. Beyond that, there are a few tips and tricks tiny businesses can use to assist keep shipping rates low:

Use the correct packaging

Shipping vacant air is uneconomical and environmentally unfriendly. Aim to reduce the size and weight of your shipments by selecting packaging that fits your items and is eco-amiable. 

Consider package material

Cardboard is heavy—replace it with a poly mailer or other lightweight material when feasible. Other lightweight options are air pillows, packing document, bubble wrap, foam inserts, and wadding rolls. 

Use flat-rate shipping

Flat-rate shipping often offers the best worth for money, especially for domestic delivery. Flat-rate shipping also means that you can forecast prices more accurately. No matter what benevolent of parcel you have, the worth will always be the same.

propose local delivery and pick-up

By far, the cheapest delivery alternative is local delivery or pick-up. For tiny businesses, a local delivery service is a great way to connect with nearby customers, drive sales, and provide a personal customer encounter.

Save on shipping costs with Shopify

Shopify Shipping makes it easier and cheaper to fulfill shipments. You can manage orders, print shipping labels, and track your shipments from one place.

Shopify merchants also save up to 88% on shipping costs in the US, thanks to pre-negotiated discounts with USPS, UPS, and DHL. Serve your international customers with auto-generated customs forms and discounts on cross-border shipping.

With so many carriers and delivery methods available, working out the cheapest way to ship a package isn’t straightforward. The estimated rates and advice in this post should provide a helpful starting point.

Once you have a solid shipping schedule in place with shipping costs that work for you and your customers, you’ll commence to spend less period fulfilling orders and more period growing your business.

Read more

Low-expense shipping FAQ

What is the cheapest way to ship a package?

The cheapest way to ship a package will depend on factors such as package size and weight, as well as distance and delivery speed. Generally, USPS Ground and Priority Mail are the most affordable shipping options.

How much does it expense to ship a package?

The expense to ship a package depends on its size, weight, goal, and shipping way. The most expense-effective shipping alternative is usually to ship via the United States Postal Service (USPS). The exact expense will depend on the package’s size and weight, the goal, and the type of service used.

Is it cheaper to send a package with USPS or UPS?

Costs to ship packages with USPS and UPS depend on the package size, weight, and delivery. Generally speaking, USPS is the cheapest alternative for smaller, lighter packages that are traveling short distances, while UPS tends to be cheaper for larger packages traveling longer distances.

What is the procedure of shipping a package?

  • Prepare the package: Gather the essential supplies, such as boxes, packing materials, labels, and tape. Gather the items you are shipping and make sure they are properly packaged.
  • compute shipping costs: Determine the size and weight of your package and look up the expense to ship the package.
  • Address the package: Write the recipient’s packed information on the package, including name, street address, city, state, and ZIP code.
  • Select a shipping service: Decide which shipping service you would like to use, such as USPS, FedEx, or UPS.
  • Ship the package: receive the package to the chosen shipping service location and pay for the shipping. The shipper will provide you with a tracking number you can use to track your package.
  • Track the package: Use the tracking number to track the package online or via the shipping service’s app.



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