Cheapest Way to Ship Packages

Regarding shipping, the size of your package plays a crucial role in determining the cost.

Here’s a breakdown of the cheapest ways to ship packages by size:

Cheapest Way to Ship a Small Package

The cheapest way to ship a small package depends on weight, dimensions, and destination. 

1. USPS First-Class Mail

• Best for: Packages under 1 lb.
• Cost: Starts at around $4.00 for packages up to 13 oz.
• Delivery: 1-3 business days.

USPS First-Class is the most affordable for light packages and offers fast delivery.

2. USPS Priority Mail Small Flat Rate Box

• Best for: Small but heavier items (up to 5 lbs).
• Cost: $10.20 flat rate, regardless of weight (up to 5 lbs).
• Delivery: 1-3 business days.

Flat-rate pricing is great for small but dense packages, especially when shipping long distances.

3. UPS Ground (For Nearby Locations)

• Best for: Packages under 2 lbs.
• Cost: Typically $7-$10 depending on distance.
• Delivery: 1-5 business days, depending on proximity.

If you're shipping a small package close by, UPS can sometimes offer cheaper rates than USPS First-Class.

4. FedEx Ground (For Nearby Locations)

• Best for: Packages under 2 lbs.
• Cost: Similar to UPS Ground, around $7-$10 for local shipping.
• Delivery: 1-5 business days, depending on the distance.

FedEx Ground provides competitive rates for local small shipments.

This can be summarized as:

Provider: USPS
Service: Priority Mail
Estimated Delivery Time: 3 business days
Rate: $9.65

Provider: UPS
Service: Ground
Estimated Delivery Time: 2 business days
Rate: $14.25

Provider: FedEx
Service: Ground
Estimated Delivery Time: 2 business days
Rate: $15.02

Cheapest Way to Ship a Middle-Size Package

The cheapest way to ship a middle-sized package (typically 2-10 lbs) depends on dimensions, weight, and destination. Here are the most affordable options:

1. USPS Priority Mail

• Best for: Packages 2-10 lbs.
• Cost: Starts around $8.00 for packages weighing 2 lbs (with delivery in 1-3 business days).

Priority Mail offers competitive rates for medium-sized packages including 1-3 day delivery.

2. USPS Priority Mail Flat Rate Boxes

• Best for: Packages with a higher density (up to 70 lbs).
• Cost: $15.05 for the Medium Flat Rate Box.

Flat-rate shipping is ideal when heavier items still fit in the medium box. It’s a good deal for shipping within the U.S.

3. UPS Ground

• Best for: Packages under 10 lbs.
• Cost: Starts around $9-$14, depending on distance.
• Delivery: 1-5 business days (based on proximity).

UPS Ground offers competitive rates for heavier packages over short distances.

4. FedEx Ground

• Best for: Packages between 2-10 lbs.
• Cost: Starts around $9-$13 depending on weight and destination.
• Delivery: 1-5 business days.

FedEx Ground is often cheaper than other services for middle-sized packages, especially for longer distances.

5. Pirate Ship (USPS Commercial Pricing)

• Best for: Small businesses shipping regularly.
• Cost: Typically 10-20% cheaper than retail USPS rates.

Pirate Ship allows you to discount USPS rates for medium-sized packages, especially if you’re shipping multiple items.

Cheapest Way to Ship a Large Package

Shipping large packages (typically 10 lbs or more) can be expensive, but there are still affordable options if you know where to look. Here are some of the cheapest ways to ship large packages:

1. USPS Retail Ground

• Best for: Large packages that aren’t time-sensitive.
• Cost: Around $10-$15 for packages up to 70 lbs (depending on size and distance).
• Delivery: 2-8 business days.

USPS offers one of the most affordable shipping methods for large packages, though it may take longer than Priority Mail.

2. UPS Ground

• Best for: Heavier packages (up to 150 lbs).
• Cost: Starts around $20-$50, depending on package size, weight, and distance.
• Delivery: 1-5 business days.

UPS Ground offers affordable rates for large packages, especially for distances within the same region.

3. FedEx Ground

• Best for: Heavy or oversized packages.
• Cost: Typically $20-$45 for larger packages, depending on weight and destination.
• Delivery: 1-5 business days.

FedEx Ground offers competitive rates for large and heavy packages, particularly for domestic shipments.

4. Freight Shipping (for very large or heavy items)

• Best for: Extremely large or heavy items (e.g., over 100 lbs or over 30 inches).
• Cost: Varies significantly, but often $100-$500 depending on size and destination.
• Delivery: 5-7 business days.

Freight shipping becomes more cost-effective for very large packages, especially when you need to ship bulkier goods.

Cheapest Way to Ship a Package Internationally

Shipping internationally can be expensive, but there are still affordable options depending on the package size, weight, and destination. Here are the cheapest ways to ship a package internationally:

1. USPS First-Class Package International Service

• Best for: Small, lightweight packages (under 4 lbs).
• Cost: Starts around $15-$25 (depending on the destination).
• Delivery: 7-21 business days.

USPS offers some of the lowest international rates for small packages, although delivery times can vary depending on the country.

2. USPS Priority Mail International

• Best for: Packages up to 70 lbs that need faster delivery.
• Cost: Starts around $35-$50, depending on weight and destination.
• Delivery: 6-10 business days.

While slightly more expensive than First-Class, Priority Mail offers more reliable tracking and faster delivery times.

3. UPS Standard to Canada and Mexico

• Best for: Shipping to Canada or Mexico (ideal for small to medium packages).
• Cost: Starts around $20-$40, depending on package size and destination.
• Delivery: 1-7 business days.

UPS offers affordable ground shipping to nearby countries, with relatively fast delivery times compared to other international options.

4. FedEx International Economy

• Best for: Heavier or time-sensitive packages.
• Cost: Starts around $50-$75, depending on size and destination.
• Delivery: 5-7 business days.

FedEx offers a balance of affordability and speed for international shipping, especially for packages that need a bit more urgency but aren’t excessively heavy.

5. Parcel Monkey (Third-Party Shipping Service)

• Best for: Discounted international rates through major couriers.
• Cost: This can be cheaper than directly booking through UPS, FedEx, or DHL.
• Delivery: 4-10 business days (depending on service).

Parcel Monkey helps you access discounted international shipping rates from major carriers, making it a good option for saving money on international shipments.

Cheapest way to Ship (Based on Delivery Speed)

When choosing the cheapest shipping option based on delivery speed, it’s important to balance cost with how quickly you need the package delivered. 

The cheapest shipping methods by delivery speed are:

Cheapest Option for 2-3 Day Shipping

If you need 2-3 day shipping and are looking for the most affordable option, here are the best choices:

1. USPS Priority Mail (2-3 Days)

• Best For: Small to medium-sized packages.
• Cost: Starts at $8-$15 (domestic).
• Delivery Time: 1-3 business days, depending on destination.
• Additional Features: Includes tracking and up to $50 in insurance. Ideal for packages weighing under 70 lbs.

2. UPS Ground (2-3 Days)

• Best For: Heavier packages.
• Cost: Starts at $10-$25 (domestic).
• Delivery Time: 1-3 business days within the contiguous U.S.
• Additional Features: Tracking and guaranteed delivery date. Slightly higher cost than USPS but better for larger, heavier items.

3. FedEx Express Saver (3 Business Days)

• Best For: Time-sensitive packages.
• Cost: Starts at $9-$20 (domestic).
• Delivery Time: 3 business days by 4:30 PM to most areas.
• Additional Features: Includes tracking and delivery guarantee.

Cheapest Option for Overnight Shipping

For overnight shipping, the cheapest options depend on the size and weight of the package. Here are the most cost-effective choices:

1. USPS Priority Mail Express

• Best For: Small to medium-sized packages.
• Cost: Starts at $26-$40 (domestic).
• Delivery Time: Guaranteed overnight delivery by 10:30 AM to most locations (depending on destination).
• Additional Features: Includes tracking, delivery guarantee, and up to $100 in insurance.

2. UPS Next Day Air Saver

• Best For: Packages under 150 lbs.
• Cost: Starts at $40-$60 (domestic).
• Delivery Time: Next business day by 3:00 PM to most locations.
• Additional Features: Includes tracking and delivery confirmation. More affordable than UPS Next Day Air, but may have slightly slower delivery times.

3. FedEx Standard Overnight

• Best For: Time-sensitive shipments.
• Cost: Starts at $30-$55 (domestic).
• Delivery Time: Guaranteed next-business-day delivery by 3:00 PM (varies by destination).
• Additional Features: Includes tracking and a delivery guarantee.

Types of Shipping Methods

There are several shipping methods available, each offering varying levels of speed, cost, and service. Below are the main types of shipping methods:

1. Ground Shipping

• Description: Packages are transported by land (truck, rail, etc.).
• Best For: Non-urgent deliveries, heavier packages.
• Cost: Typically the cheapest option for larger or heavier shipments.
• Examples: UPS Ground, FedEx Ground, and USPS Retail Ground.

2. Expedited Shipping

• Description: Faster than standard ground shipping, but not as fast as overnight.
• Best For: Customers who need quicker delivery but don’t require overnight shipping.
• Cost: More expensive than ground shipping, but still affordable.
• Examples: UPS 2nd Day Air, FedEx 2-Day, USPS Priority Mail.

3. Overnight Shipping

• Description: Guarantees next-day delivery.
• Best For: Time-sensitive shipments.
• Cost: Typically the most expensive option, especially for heavier packages.
• Examples: FedEx Overnight, UPS Next Day Air, USPS Priority Mail Express.

4. International Shipping

• Description: Shipping packages across countries, often with customs clearance.
• Best For: Global business or personal shipments.
• Cost: Varies widely based on weight, destination, and service speed.
• Examples: FedEx International Priority, UPS Worldwide Express, DHL Express.

5. Freight Shipping

• Description: Used for large or bulk shipments, typically over long distances.
• Best For: Heavy, large, or palletized shipments.
• Cost: Cost varies based on weight, size, and delivery distance.
• Examples: LTL (Less Than Truckload) and FTL (Full Truckload) freight services.

6. Same-Day Shipping

• Description: Delivery within the same day, typically within a few hours.
• Best For: Urgent, local deliveries.
• Cost: Usually expensive due to the speed.
• Examples: Local courier services, Amazon Same-Day Delivery.

7. First-Class Mail

• Description: Lightweight mail services offered by USPS.
• Best For: Letters, postcards, and small, light packages.
• Cost: Affordable, especially for small items.
• Examples: USPS First-Class Mail (for items under 15.99 oz).

8. Priority Mail

• Description: USPS service for faster delivery, typically 1-3 days.
• Best For: Medium-sized packages and time-sensitive shipments.
• Cost: More expensive than First-Class, but more affordable than expedited services.
• Examples: USPS Priority Mail, UPS 3-Day Select.

9. Flat Rate Shipping

• Description: Charges a fixed price regardless of weight (up to a certain limit) or distance.
• Best For: Sending items that fit into flat rate boxes, especially heavy items.
• Cost: Often cheaper for heavy items compared to weight-based pricing.
• Examples: USPS Flat Rate Boxes, FedEx One Rate.

10. Dropshipping

• Description: Dropshipping is a retail fulfillment method where the seller doesn’t keep inventory; instead, the supplier ships directly to the customer.
• Best For: E-commerce businesses looking to avoid managing inventory.
• Cost: Varies based on the supplier, but generally lower upfront costs.
• Examples: Spocket, Oberlo, and AliExpress (for e-commerce).

11. Economy Shipping

• Description: The slowest and cheapest shipping method.
• Best For: Non-urgent, budget-friendly shipments.
• Cost: The most cost-effective for shipments that don’t need to arrive quickly.
• Examples: USPS Economy Mail, and UPS SurePost.

How to Choose a Shipping Provider

Choosing the right shipping provider is crucial for balancing cost, speed, and customer satisfaction.

Evaluate Shipping Costs: Compare rates across different carriers (USPS, UPS, FedEx, DHL) based on package size, weight, and destination. Look for discounts or flat-rate options, especially if shipping frequently.

Consider Delivery Speed: Determine how fast you need the package to arrive (standard, expedited, or overnight) and choose a provider that aligns with your delivery timeline.

Check Tracking and Reliability: Choose a provider with robust tracking systems and a reputation for on-time delivery. Poor tracking or delays can harm customer satisfaction.

Explore Insurance Options: Make sure your shipping provider offers insurance for valuable or fragile items, especially for high-ticket products.

Evaluate Customer Support: Look for a provider that offers reliable customer service for handling issues like lost packages or delivery errors.

Consider International Shipping: If you plan to ship globally, choose a carrier with experience in international shipments and competitive rates (e.g., DHL or FedEx).

Look for Integration with Your Platform: Some carriers integrate directly with e-commerce platforms (Spocket, Shopify, WooCommerce, etc.), which can streamline your order fulfillment process.

Sum Up

Choosing the right shipping provider involves balancing costs, delivery speed, reliability, and customer support. Evaluate different carriers based on the size, weight, and destination of your packages, and consider additional factors like tracking, insurance, and international options. 

Opt for a provider that integrates with your e-commerce platform for streamlined fulfillment, ensuring efficient and cost-effective shipping solutions for your business.