Expedited shipping is a shipping service that delivers goods faster than regular shipping. If you run a business that sells products, you know all about eCommerce shipping and warehousing complexities. You are looking for simpler and faster ways to ship goods.
Expedited shipping is an option or service that delivers packages faster than usual. Expedited shipping is a delivery option that offers faster speeds compared to standard options.
Trucks with goods travel from order pickup to delivery with no stops to fulfill expedited shipping demands. The term “expedited shipping” differs by carrier but tends to fall between overnight and 2-day shipping for most domestic deliveries.
How fast is expedited shipping than other fulfillment options?
Delivery and logistics costs vary depending on margins, e-commerce fulfillment strategy, how you handle logistics, and customer locations. One online store’s expedited shipping timeline could be standard for another. Here is how expedited services compare to other delivery times.
Expedited shipping vs. standard shipping:
Standard delivery services are the cheapest shipping option for online stores and consumers. Depending on the fulfillment provider and carrier usage, standard shipping within the US is between three and seven business days from when the order is dispatched to when it arrives on the customer’s doorstep.
Some companies boast two-day delivery as their standard, while others clarify that standard delivery is you will need to wait a little more to receive your parcel. Stores in the latter category usually offer an expedited delivery alternative, such as 2-day or next-day delivery, for consumers who need their orders sooner.
It is important to note that most retailers count shipping time based on when the order is shipped, not when it’s placed. If an order is placed within the 2-day shipping selected, those two days don’t necessarily contain order processing time, especially if that time falls on a holiday.
Expedited shipping vs. express shipping
Depending on the retailer and carriers, expedited and express shipping may have a variety of meanings. When both express and expedited shipping options are offered, express shipping is faster, often meaning 2-day or next-day delivery, while expedited means “faster than standard.”
Two-day (or next-day) shipping
For some retailers, expedited orders are considered premium shipping options, shipped with a 2- or next-day turnaround time, while 2-day delivery is standard for others.
The omnipresence of Amazon makes offering 2-day shipping a requirement for e-commerce stores, whether as a standard option, a special perk, or something in between.
How much does expedited shipping cost?
One of the biggest concerns when using expedited shipping options is the cost. So, e-commerce entrepreneurs and their customers have a common question: “What will expedited shipping cost me?”
Unfortunately, there isn’t an easy answer to this question. Why? Because there are too many variables, such as the specific carrier used, the weight of the package, the shipping zones the package needs to cross, and when the parcel is delivered (some carriers offer Sunday delivery at an additional cost).
Here are a few expedited shipping cost examples from different carriers:
Expedited Shipping Service Minimum Cost
Priority Mail Express (USPS) $26.35 (Post Office) $22.75 (Commercial Base /Plus)
UPS 2nd Day Air (Daily Rate) $19.30 (1 lb. package) $219.00 (150 lb. packages)
FedEx 2Day $19.11 (1 lb. package) $219.00 (150 lb. packages)
FAQs
Q. How fast is expedited shipping?
Expedited shipping almost always delivers packages within two to three business days. This period varies based on how far the package travels and whether or not any transportation issues occur.
Q. What does USPS expedited shipping mean?
Its fastest shipping option doesn’t go under any “expedited” name, but they offer Priority Mail Express. It delivers packages in the US within one to two business days. It also offers some of the cheapest expedited shipping rates, usually starting at $26.35. USPS is the way to go if you have a smaller budget but still need to get products to customers quickly.
Q. Are priority and expedited shipping the same?
These are usually two terms that describe the same thing. They are used by different companies and do not indicate any difference in services.
In some cases, “Priority” indicates a particular service. Their Priority services are above First-Class Mail and standard envelopes and letters service.
Shipping companies use various terms to describe similar services. Often this is a way to differentiate their services from competitors and may make a particular service easier to remember.
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Conclusion
Expedited shipping is a delivery method that ensures shipments arrive at their destination faster than standard shipping options. Its faster-than-usual speeds and clear intent characterize it.
While expedited shipping’s speed and guarantee are attractive perks, they come at a high cost and may only make monetary sense for some e-commerce businesses.
However, there are some ways to lower the cost of expedited shipping. You can ensure it only eats a little into your profit margin by only offering it to orders that hit a minimum spend and passing some or all of the added cost on to your buyers.