In 2020, UPS was delivering 21 million packages a day. And that's just one of the available shipping methods that customers and businesses get to choose from on a daily basis.
There are tens of millions of
packages moving around the country at all times. And the e-commerce industry is
only going to continue growing.
The problem with so many packages in
the mail is that costs are rising. Not only that, but the quality of certain
carriers may be dropping, as damage and lost packages aren't uncommon these
days.
As a business, choosing the right
shipping methods to send out your products is a very important decision. After
all, you are entrusting the last mile to a third-party shipping company. You
may have the best products in the world, but if they screw it up, you lose a
customer.
Read on below to see learn about the
best shipping methods in the US today.
USPS
Shipping Methods
Wondering what is the cheapest
shipping method is? For those shipping small, lightweight products, you
can't beat the USPS.
The USPS has been around forever and
is still a popular choice among small businesses shipping products nationally
or internationally. The company is extremely reliable and easy to work with for
all types of packages.
Shipping times are very consistent,
averaging between two and eight days, depending on the priority selected. And
for businesses that ship a ton of volume, you can qualify for discounts and
credits.
You can ship via USPS through almost
any shipping platform like ShipStation.
Traditionally, USPS doesn't deliver
on Sundays or holidays. But if you're willing to pay extra, they can make it
happen.
And while most businesses have USPS
pick up packages directly from their warehouse, a local branch is never far
away, making it easy to drop off additional packages when necessary.
UPS
Shipping Methods
On the flip side, the cheapest
shipping method for large packages is usually UPS. While they often overprice
smaller parcels, it's hard to beat their pricing on the big stuff.
Tiny USPS trucks could never carry
the size of boxes that UPS trucks can. UPS offers flat rates prices on larger
packages
UPS is small business-friendly, with
customized rates based on volume, weight, and speed. They even offer incentives
that could help businesses save 20% to 50%.
Domestic ground shipping can take
anywhere from two to five days. Overnight shipping is available when you need
something to arrive the next day, such as important documents. And in certain
cases and locations, same-day shipping is available, making UPS
the fastest shipping method for those willing to pay extra.
And UPS can make the process of
shipping overseas super simple on behalf of businesses and customers
alike.
DHL
If you need to ship products
internationally on a regular basis, it pays to do so with DHL. While the
occasional oddball overseas can work with UPS or USPS, anyone shipping volume
abroad will benefit from the affordable DHL platform.
The parent company is headquartered
in Germany, while the DHL Express company, focusing on small businesses, is
located in Florida.
Using DHL to ship abroad makes it
easy to deal with imports, exports, fees, and surcharges. Many shipping speeds
are available depending on how much extra you are willing to pay.
FedEx
Another small business solution is
FedEx. This is the company that has normalized everyday delivery. Customers
still expect packages on weekends and holidays, and FedEx is there to
deliver.
Every day is treated as a business
day, meaning your customers will get their parcels faster, as there is never
any downtime in the supply chain. While the prices might be a bit more on
individual packages, compared to carriers like USPS, a faster ground shipping
time of fewer than five days, plus weekend delivery, is worth the extra
expense.
There are no hidden fees, and it's
clear to see exactly how much it will cost to ship your parcel with FexEx on
their website.
Amazon
Amazon has become much more than an
online retailer, as they now operate one of the most advanced logistics
networks in the country. With warehouses and shipping centers in hundreds of
cities around the US and massive fleets of Amazon vans, the company is rivaling
every other carrier. They are often outperforming them, too.
Thanks to Amazon's own delivery
network, packages will almost always arrive within 2 days, and in many cases,
one day or the same day. Of course, to use the Amazon delivery network,
you would need to send your products to Amazon warehouses for distribution.
This means higher fees for each product sold, but you won't have to maintain
your own warehouse and shipping staff.
Many businesses have transitioned to
fulfillment by Amazon (FBA) full time, so they can instead focus on marketing,
and creating new products.
International
Shipping Methods
International shipping is another
huge concern for many businesses. If your company is small, you might only
order a few pallets of product at a time.
In these instances, you'll just pay
for space inside of stored shipping containers as your products make their way
across the ocean to your warehouse. While this can be cost-effective, it's not
always the best option. Based on what other products are sharing a container
with yours, the entire container might experience delays during the customs
process, and additional inspections are needed.
For greater control over the
shipping process, and faster results.it's best to use your own shipping
containers, buy in bulk, and fill them completely with your own goods.
There are different types of steel storage containers
available, depending on how you like your products to be loaded, packed, and
unpacked. You can even choose containers that are insulated, to protect against
extreme heat, which could damage electronics.
The
Right Shipping Methods for Your Business
There are countless ways to send a
box across town, across the country, and across the globe. If you're in
business, you generally find out what shipping carrier works best for
you.
If you send many different-sized
packages, you may even rely on two or more carriers, as you aren't limited to
just one.
Looking for more tips on shipping
and improving your business? Visit our blog to find other helpful articles
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