In a world where speed is everything, express shipping has become the golden standard for time-sensitive deliveries. Whether you’re an eCommerce seller racing to meet customer expectations or a business needing to send a critical document overseas, express shipping ensures your package arrives faster than traditional methods—often overnight or within a few days.
Driven by the growing demand for instant gratification, express shipping is no longer a luxury—it’s a necessity. With over 61% of consumers willing to pay more for same-day delivery, fast shipping can dramatically enhance customer satisfaction and loyalty.
In this article, we’ll break down what express shipping is, explore the different service types, compare rates across top carriers like USPS, FedEx, DHL, and UPS, and explain when and why express shipping is worth the extra cost. Plus, discover how ShippingToGo can help you save up to 91% on expedited shipping across 250+ carriers worldwide.
Let’s dive in.
What is Express shipping?
Express shipping is a specific service provided by numerous carriers to reduce the time it takes for an item to arrive and so speed up the shipping process.
In the case of international delivery, express shipping is normally done via air.
For items that must be delivered quickly, most shippers employ the express shipping option.
The service is also employed when items are classed as time-sensitive and/or when a short-notice deadline is given.
The world of eCommerce is expanding, and today’s customers want quick delivery.
In fact, 61% of customers are ready to pay a premium for same-day delivery.
This blog will provide you with a comprehensive overview of express shipping.
Try shippingtogo to save money on expedited shipping. You’ll save up to 91 percent on reduced shipping costs on 250+ carriers, which is particularly beneficial for international delivery.
Here are several circumstances in which you may be able to utilize express shipping:
- Reimbursing clients once a package has been lost, damaged, or stolen.
- Sending a valuable item.
- Thanking clients who spend more than a particular amount
Express Shipping Services: Common Types
Express shipping is available from all courier firms, although the delivery lead time (speed) varies depending on which of the following choices you select:
Same-Day Shipping
The quickest option to dispatch your purchase is with same-day delivery. If you want to boost client happiness, consider same-day delivery.
When you choose same-day delivery, your client will get their gift within a few hours or by the end of the day.
Overnight Delivery
Overnight shipping is somewhat less expensive than same-day delivery and is ideal for clients who need their items urgently.
Customers who choose overnight delivery will get their product the following business day.
There may be a number of next-day delivery options available depending on the courier. These services may include the following:
- 9:30 a.m. delivery: Most ZIP codes can anticipate your product to arrive by 9:30 a.m.
- 10:30 a.m. delivery: Most ZIP codes may anticipate your product to arrive by 10:30 a.m.
- Noon delivery: Most ZIP codes may anticipate your product to arrive by 12:30 p.m.
2-Day Air
When compared to other fast shipping options, 2-Day air is good if you want a speedier shipment at a lower cost. Plus, you’ll get a one-to-two-day delivery lead time or your money back.
3-Day Air
3-day air freight offers speedier delivery at a lower cost. This transportation method is also ideal for items that are not time-sensitive. Customers may also expect delivery within three business days.
The Benefits and Drawbacks of Express Shipping
Customers now expect fast satisfaction from their shipping experiences, thus offering timely delivery as an eCommerce retailer is becoming more vital.
As a consequence, shoppers are more likely to quit firms that do not provide rapid delivery or do not arrive within 2 days or less.
Offering rapid delivery has advantages such as client retention and greater revenue, all of which are critical for eCommerce success.
Here’s why consumers choose to mail their products through express delivery.
Pros
Customer experience: Many individuals anticipate quick delivery.
Almost all customers regard same-day and next-day delivery to be rapid, making express delivery a top priority for many.
With the correct delivery choices, you may possibly win these devoted consumers.
Reduces the danger of broken items: By providing express delivery to your consumers, you are lowering the chance of damaged goods. Longer delivery lead times, particularly for delicate products, increase the chance of damage. Furthermore, quick shipping options provide enhanced insurance and tracking.
Retain customers: Customers like quick delivery.
You can provide better service to your current consumers, increasing retention and loyalty.
Guaranteed delivery time: With most fast shipping services, major couriers provide guaranteed arrival. You will get a reimbursement for late delivery this way.
Cons
More expensive: If you really want your shipment to arrive soon, you’ll have to spend more.
Using This Website’s free shipping rates calculator, a 3-pound box from New York 2 Los Angeles will cost $4.57 for economy shipping services and $49.04 for fast shipping services.
The Price of Express Delivery
Express delivery is really expensive.
It is, nevertheless, your best option for time-sensitive shipments.
You can feel confident that your cargo will arrive on schedule and in good condition, and that your client will be satisfied with the timetable.
Let’s say you’re shipping a 5-pound box from New York to Los Angeles.
To determine the cost of shipping, we’ll utilise Shippingtogo’s free shipping rates calculator.
As can be seen, transporting a 5-pound box from NYC to LA using USPS Priority Mail Express costs $63.25 against $5.69 for ordinary shipping services.
As a result, the difference is in the neighborhood of $50.
Assume you’re shipping a 5-pound cargo from New York City to China.
To determine the delivery charges, we’ll utilize our free delivery rates calculator once again.
DHL Express Shipping International charges $69.10 to transport a 5-pound box from NYC to China.
Furthermore, this DHL fast shipping service has a 4 to 8-working-day delivery wait time.
Alternatively, SF Express Economy Express costs $38.17 and takes 10 to 12 business days to deliver your product.
Express delivery is the best option for time-sensitive items.
When you utilize Shippingtogo’s free shipping rates calculator, you may save up to 91 percent on shipping prices from 250+ carriers.
Plus, when you ship using a multi-carrier shipment platform like Shippingtogo, you’ll always receive the best shipping costs.
Is express shipping available from USPS, UPS, FedEx, or DHL?
Express shipping is available from all major carriers, including USPS, UPS, FedEx, and DHL.
We’ll go through all of the various expedited shipping options so you’re ready to take on the eCommerce world.
Services for USPS Express Shipping
Every day, the USPS processes 173.1 million items of First-Class mail, making it a favorite option for millions.
For domestic shipping, USPS provides the following express services:
Express Priority Mail
$26.35 as a starting point
Guaranteed delivery time: 1-2 working days
Shipping insurance of $100 included
Priority Mail
$7.70 as a starting point
Lead time for delivery: 1-3 business days
Insurance is included for $50.
First-Class M
Initial cost: $0.55
Lead time for delivery: 1-3 business days
Security wasn’t included but may be purchased separately.
First-Class Packages Service
$4.00 as a starting point
Lead time for delivery: 1-3 business days
Security isn’t included in the but may be purchased separately.
For overseas mailings, USPS also provides expedited delivery. The following are the foreign shipping options offered by USPS:
Guaranteed Global Express
$67.80 as a starting point
Lead time for delivery: 1-3 business days
Shipping insurance of $100 included
Priority Mail Express International
$45.95 as a starting point
Lead time for delivery: 3-5 business days
Shipping insurance of $200 included
UPS Shipping Services Express
UPS delivered 21.1 million shipments per day in 2020, giving it a great option for clients looking for dependable, quick delivery.
For a three-pound cargo from New York to California, UPS provides the following fast delivery services:
Early UPS Next Day Air
Initial cost: $141.26
Estimated delivery time: Next working day/overnight by 9:30 a.m.
Shipping insurance of $100 included
Next Day Air from UPS
$108.71 as a starting point
Delivery lead time: As soon as 10:30 a.m. the next business day, or by the closing of the day
Shipping insurance of $100 included
UPS Next Day Saver
$98.62 as a starting point
Delivery lead time: by the end of the next working day
Shipping insurance of $100 included
UPS 2nd Day Air
$50.83 as a starting point
Lead time for delivery: 1-2 business days
Shipping insurance of $100 included
For a 3-pound product sent from Nyc to the U.k, UPS offers the following express delivery options:
UPS Global Express Plus
$211.67 as a starting point
Lead time for delivery: 1-2 business days
Shipping insurance of $100 included
UPS Worldwide Express
$168.17 as a starting point
Lead time for delivery: 1-3 business days
Shipping insurance of $100 included
UPS Saver
$165.77 as a starting point
Lead time for delivery: 1-3 business days
Shipping insurance of $100 included
UPS Worldwide Express Expedited
Initial cost: $152.51
Lead time for delivery: 2-5 business days
Shipping insurance of $100 included
FedEx Express Shipping Service
The main express shipping services are available by FedEx:
FedEx First Overnight
The starting price is $151.25.
Next working day by 9 a.m. delivery lead time
Shipping insurance of $100 included
FedEx Priority Overnight
$117.61 as a starting point
Estimated delivery time: next working day by noon
Shipping insurance of $100 included
FedEx Standard Overnight
The first cost is $107.52.
Delivery time: Next working day by the end of the day
Shipping insurance of $100 included
2-Day A.M. FedEx
$63.15 as a starting point
2 working days by noon delivery lead time
Shipping insurance of $100 included
2-Day FedEx
$54.58 as a starting point
Estimated delivery time: 2 working days by the end of the day
Shipping insurance of $100 included
FedEx Express Saver
$44.16 as a starting point
Estimated delivery time: three business days by the end of the day
Shipping insurance of $100 included
Additional options include guaranteed delivery and FedEx tracking.
For foreign goods, FedEx also provides the following express delivery services:
FedEx International First
Prices start at $102.50.
Lead time for delivery: 1-3 business days
Shipping insurance of $100 included
FedEx International Priority
Prices start at $35.85.
Lead time for delivery: 1-3 business days
Shipping insurance of $100 included
DHL Express Shipping Services
DHL travels to over 220 countries and distributes over 1.6 billion packages every year. For both local and international goods, DHL offers the following express shipping services:
Same-Day DHL
Starting price: Get a quotation at dhlsameday.com.
Estimated delivery time: end of work day
Insurance: If your shipment is lost or damaged, DHL will reimburse you for its full value.
9:00, 10:30, and 12:00 DHL Express
$98.21 as a starting point
Delivery lead time: Provides next-day delivery within the specified time frame.
Insurance: If your shipment is lost or damaged, DHL will reimburse you for its full value.
DHL Express Worldwide
Initial cost: $122.70
Delivery deadline: the end of the following working day
Insurance: If your shipment is lost or damaged, DHL will reimburse you for its full value.
Shippingtogo offers Express Shipping
For time-sensitive or delicate products, express delivery is the ideal option.
Consider employing expedited delivery to provide you some peace of mind for exceptional goods, even if they come at a high cost.
Shippingtogo can save you time & expense when mailing with USPS, FedEx, DHL, or any other significant courier service.
With our comprehensive shipping software, you can create labels, compare shipping prices, keep track of your expenses, and more.
Furthermore, shippingtogo saves consumers up to 91 percent on shipping expenses, which is extremely beneficial for international couriers.
When you pick shippingtogo to power up your shipping, you may enhance sales by selling internationally with 250+ alternatives.
