As an eCommerce business owner, carefully considering your shipping options is (or should be!) a huge part of your operational strategy. Not only do shipping options matter so you know what options are available to your valuable customers, but shipping costs also influence your business’s bottom line. 

The right shipping options can help your business soar – the wrong one? We’re here to help you not make that mistake! 

What customers expect

In today’s competitive landscape of products and services offered anywhere and everywhere, standing out from the competition is no longer just a want but a requirement. For many e-commerce businesses, this means shipping that is lightning-fast and customer service that goes beyond what’s expected. With customers shopping in a world of instant gratification, getting their purchases to them quickly and safely is necessary. 

While breaking the bank to deliver products same-day to your customers might not be an option, UPS shipping offers fast and affordable shipping services that meet your customers’ needs and also make sense for your business expenses. 

UPS shipping options

Ground

UPS® Ground provides the most cost-effective guaranteed service, with delivery in one to five business days, depending on pickup.

• A dependable and economical choice for all of your routine shipments
• Day-definite delivery within one to five business days, including Saturday
• Available in all 50 states and Puerto Rico

SurePost 

UPS SurePost® is an economy service for your non-urgent business to consumer needs of low value. UPS makes the shipment pick-up, and the U.S. Postal Service® (USPS®) makes the final delivery, seven days a week. SurePost is a combined method between UPS and USPS with USPS delivering the final mile. It is also an uninsured method (as opposed to these other UPS methods available). This is a great option for packages 1-9lb that don’t need to be delivered with hast. 

3 Day Select 

UPS 3 Day Select® offers cost-effective guaranteed service for your less time-sensitive shipments and affordable prices. 

• Guaranteed is delivery by the end of the third business day, including Saturdays
• Offered in the 48 contiguous states

UPS 3 Day Select® is a day-definite shipping option that guarantees delivery within three business days for packages being shipped within the contiguous 48 United States. This service balances speed and affordability, providing faster delivery times than standard shipping options while still being more cost-effective than expedited services like UPS 2nd Day Air® or UPS Next Day Air®.

Delivery time for UPS 3 Day Select® is three business days, Monday through Friday, with the option for Saturday pickup and delivery in select areas. 

2-Business Days 

UPS 2nd Day Air® A.M. provides guaranteed early morning delivery for second business day shipments but is unavailable for residential deliveries.

• Recommended for shipments that need to arrive early on the second business day
• Guaranteed delivery by 10:30 a.m. or noon to most commercial destinations
• Applicable in the 48 contiguous states and limited locations in Alaska and Hawaii

This service also allows for Saturday delivery, but UPS must pick up packages no later than Thursday to ensure arrival by Saturday. You should note that Saturday delivery may not be available in all areas, particularly rural ones. UPS 2nd Day Air® shipping costs depend on package size, weight, and final destination.

UPS 2nd Day Air® offers guaranteed service for second business day shipments but is also unavailable for residential delivery.

• Ideal for shipments that can arrive any time during the second business day
• Guaranteed delivery by the end of the day, including Saturday delivery for shipments that have been picked up by Thursday
• Available in all 50 states and Puerto Rico, with additional transportation time in some parts of Alaska and Hawaii

1-Business Day 

UPS Next Day Air® Early shipping is a top-rated overnight shipping service that provides time-definite next-day delivery, making it an excellent choice for customers seeking expedited shipping. 

• Best for shipments that must arrive at the beginning of the next business day
• Includes guaranteed delivery by 8 a.m. to major cities and delivery by 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. to most other cities, with Saturday delivery to some locations available as early as 9 a.m.
• Available to major cities in the 48 contiguous states and select cities in Alaska and Hawaii

UPS Next Day Air® provides guaranteed overnight service for time-sensitive shipments.

• A great option for shipments that must arrive earlier in the next business day
• Guaranteed delivery by 10:30 a.m., noon, or the end of the day, depending on the destination and includes delivery by noon or 1:30 p.m. on Saturdays
• Available in all 50 states and Puerto Rico, with some restrictions in Alaska and Hawaii

UPS Next Day Air Saver® offers guaranteed next-day service with reliable afternoon delivery.

• The most affordable service options for next-day shipments
• Delivery is guaranteed by 3 p.m. or 4:30 p.m. to most commercial destinations where UPS Next Day Air delivery is available
• Applicable in the 48 contiguous states and limited locations in Alaska and Hawaii

Weights and sizes

For all methods, packages weighing up to 150 pounds, with a maximum length of 108 inches and a maximum combined length and girth of 165 inches, can be sent through UPS service. Packages exceeding these weight and size limits will incur additional fees.

Compared to USPS, UPS offers a much higher weight limit of 150 pounds and a more significant maximum combined length and girth of 165 inches, making it the better choice for sending domestic packages over 70 pounds.

How to know which option is right for you

If you’re unsure of which shipping option is best for your customers’ needs and your budget, work with a 3PL expert who understands your industry and knows how to satisfy your customers.

The experts at ShipDaddy help eCommerce companies find better shipping options every day. Talk with our team to learn more about options we have available. 

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