The cheapest way to ship a package based on delivery speed

You occasionally need to get a package to its destination 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 fast 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 $9.65, depending on the size of your package and its destination. USPS flat-rate boxes are a convenient, economical option here.

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

Best rates for next-day delivery

Next-day delivery is your friend when you don't have time on your side and need to ship your products as quickly and safely as possible.

All major couriers offer 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, destination, and delivery requirements (such as delivery at an exact time, 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 want to get a package to its destination. 

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 offer free shipping by incorporating the costs of shipping into their product pricing model.

Real-time carrier rates: Real-time shipping rates show the exact amount that a carrier will charge 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 method of delivery that is guaranteed to arrive at its destination faster than standard delivery methods.

There is no one-size-fits-all shipping strategy for businesses, and it’s often good practice to offer customers multiple shipping options at checkout.

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

How to choose a shipping provider

Each year, shipping providers update their costs, which can make choosing a carrier confusing. It’s important to stay on top of changing shipping rates to protect your bottom line and avoid expensive surprises.

Today’s shipping costs are based on multiple factors: distance, size, weight, and speed—which affect the price of each delivery. Most carriers offer shipping calculators to help customers understand pricing.

Shipping provider rate calculators

USPS Shipping Calculator

UPS Shipping Calculator

FedEx Shipping Calculator

Canada Post Shipping Calculator

Royal Mail Shipping Calculator

Australia Post Shipping Calculator

Sendle Shipping Calculator

4 tips to keep shipping costs down

Negotiating rates and researching couriers will help you create a successful shipping strategy. Beyond that, there are a few tips and tricks small businesses can use to help keep shipping rates low:

Use the right packaging

Shipping empty 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-friendly. 

Consider package material

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

Use flat-rate shipping

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

Offer local delivery and pick-up

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