When To Use Expedited Shipping for Ecommerce Orders
by Jaidyn Farar
Many consumers prefer cheap or free shipping, even if it means waiting longer for packages to arrive. Sometimes, though, standard shipping just won’t cut it. When you need a faster option, but don’t need to ship overnight, expedited shipping is a great way to go.
What does expedited shipping mean? How long does it take? How much does it cost? In this guide, we’ll walk through everything you need to know.
What is expedited shipping?
Expedited shipping is a delivery method that transports packages more quickly than standard shipping services. Because businesses define “standard” differently, their definitions of expedited shipping can vary as well.
For example, if an ecommerce store offers standard shipping that takes five days, two- or three-day shipping would be considered expedited. On the other hand, if the store offers two-day shipping as the default, then expedited shipping would include overnight or same-day options.
Let’s delve a little deeper into the differences between expedited, standard, and express shipping.
Expedited vs. standard shipping
Standard shipping is the cheapest and slowest way to send packages from point A to point B. Standard shipping time varies by carrier, but you can generally expect it to take between five and seven business days.
Of course, standard shipments often arrive faster than that, sometimes within just two or three days. What sets expedited shipping apart is that you pay more to guarantee faster delivery, rather than opting for standard shipping and hoping for the best.
Expedited vs. express shipping
Expedited and express shipping are sometimes used interchangeably, but they don’t always mean the same thing. As mentioned above, expedited simply means faster than the standard option. Express shipping usually refers specifically to overnight or two-day shipping. If a business offers both express and expedited shipping, express is usually the fastest one.
How long does expedited shipping take?
In general, expedited shipping takes between two and three business days. However, the exact shipping time depends on what the business has defined as “standard” shipping.
Looking to ship even faster than two or three days? Check out our article on overnight shipping.
The benefits of using expedited shipping
Expedited shipping can be significantly more costly than standard options, so it’s not always the best choice. However, in the right circumstances, expedited shipping has some great benefits, including speed, reliability, and security.
- Faster deliveries. Expedited shipping means your packages arrive faster, often within a couple of days, which keeps your customers happy and minimizes their anxiety. Expedited shipping is especially valuable if you ship perishables or time-sensitive products.
- Greater reliability. When you go with expedited shipping, you may be covered by a money-back guarantee, so you can count on your packages showing up on time.
- Lower risk of damage. Because expedited shipping involves fewer stops and less handling, your packages are less likely to get damaged along the way.
- Higher supply chain efficiency. Expedited shipping allows you to move products out of your fulfillment centers faster, saving on storage costs and keeping everything running smoothly.
- Reduced cart abandonment. If you don’t offer expedited shipping, customers who need this service might abandon their carts. On the other hand, providing a variety of shipping choices encourages customers to complete their purchases.
Expedited shipping options
USPS, UPS, and FedEx all offer expedited shipping options. Read on for more information about some of their most popular expedited services.
USPS expedited shipping options
When you ship domestically with USPS Priority Mail®, packages arrive in one to three business days. Costs depend on package weight and the distance a shipment travels. Priority Mail Flat Rate® offers the same one- to three-day delivery window, but the cost depends on the flat-rate box size you use rather than the package weight. Flat Rate also allows you to ship to any state for the same price.
Other features of these services include:
- Up to $100 of insurance included for free with most shipments
- Free package pickup
- No surcharges for fuel, residential or rural delivery, or Saturday delivery
- Free boxes and envelopes (with Flat Rate)
UPS expedited shipping options
If you’re looking to ship within two days, UPS 2nd Day Air® is a great option. It delivers to all 50 states and Puerto Rico, and Saturday pickup and delivery are available. To have packages delivered in three days, consider UPS 3 Day Select®. This service delivers to the 48 contiguous states, with Saturday delivery and pickup available in some areas.
FedEx expedited shipping options
Like UPS, FedEx offers both two-day and three-day delivery. FedEx 2Day® delivers by the end of the second business day, with Saturday delivery available in some areas. FedEx Express Saver® delivers to the contiguous 48 states in three days, with packages arriving by 5:00 p.m. to businesses and 8:00 p.m. to residences.
How much does expedited shipping cost?
For two- or three-day expedited shipping, starting costs generally range from around $12 to $27 for a five-pound package. However, the exact cost will vary depending on carrier, package weight and dimensions, shipping distance, and other factors.
Below, we compare starting retail prices to ship a 5-pound package with USPS, UPS, and FedEx.
Carrier and service | Delivery time (business days) | Starting retail price |
USPS Priority Mail | 1-3 | $12.45 |
USPS Priority Mail Flat Rate | 1-3 | $18.40 (medium flat-rate box) |
UPS 2nd Day Air | 2 | $25.13 |
UPS 3 Day Select | 3 | $18.99 |
FedEx 2Day | 2 | $26.76 |
FedEx | 3 | $24.60 |
Of course, paying $20 (or more) to ship a single package can cut into your margins pretty quickly. To save money, consider using a shipping API like EasyPost to integrate with your favorite carriers, access volume discounts, and automate essential shipping processes.
Learn how much EasyPost can save you with USPS, UPS, and FedEx.
When to choose expedited shipping
Is expedited shipping worth it? In general, having multiple shipping options is a good way to earn customers’ trust and loyalty. But for some types of products, expedited shipping is almost non-negotiable. If you sell the following items, expedited shipping will help keep them safe and secure.
- Time-sensitive products like birthday or holiday gifts
- High-value items such as jewelry or electronics
- Perishable goods like pharmaceuticals, food, and flowers
Best practices for expedited shipping
With the right shipping strategy, you’ll be able to provide faster delivery methods without hurting your bottom line. Just make sure to follow these best practices.
- Establish a minimum purchase threshold. If you offer free expedited shipping, consider establishing a minimum spending threshold. A good rule of thumb is that the threshold should be greater than your average order value.
- Distribute your inventory. By locating your fulfillment centers near major customer bases, you’ll shorten transit distances. This will allow you to access expedited shipping at a lower cost.
- Pay attention to cutoff times. Because many expedited services promise delivery by a specific day and time, packages need to be dropped off by a certain deadline, usually between 3:00 and 5:00 p.m. Check with your carrier to learn the cutoff times for expedited shipping dropoffs.
Save on expedited shipping with multi-carrier shipping software
Every shipment you send is unique, and every customer has different preferences and expectations for the delivery experience. How can you keep your customers happy without losing money (or time) on shipping? The answer is simple: use multi-carrier shipping software.
Multi-carrier shipping software like EasyPost gives you access to over a hundred carriers, making it easy to optimize shipping method selection. It also comes with access to discounted rates, with savings of up to 83% for popular carriers like USPS, UPS, and FedEx.
Whether you’re shipping standard, expedited, or express, EasyPost makes it simple to find the best balance of cost savings and delivery speed. Your fulfillment staff will save time and avoid errors, and customers will be satisfied with quick, affordable deliveries.
Find the best expedited shipping rates with EasyPost—sign up for free to get started.