Whether you ship items for business or for pleasure, you’ll need to figure out how to get your items from point A to point B.
Choosing a carrier can be confusing, so it’s helpful to understand which carriers are right for your situation.
First, it is important to consider whether you are shipping domestic or international. In addition, the weight and size of your package must come into consideration.
Explore the four most popular carriers below, all of which are offered at Express Business Center:
United States Postal Service (USPS)
USPS has been around the longest (established in 1863), so it is probably the most well-known. It can be a great carrier to use when mailing small items or items that fall under Media Mail.
If your parcel is under 2 pounds, USPS is the cheapest shipping option. Items under 13 ounces fall under First Class postage and will be even cheaper. If your package is over two pounds and can fit in a Priority Mail Flat Rate box, you will be getting a fantastic deal. In addition, items like books, music and movies can be sent through Media Mail which is extremely cost-effective, starting at just $3.19.
USPS offers a variety of shipping speeds – Overnight/Next Day, 2-3 Days, and 2-8 Days. However, USPS does not guarantee delivery dates so if that is a concern, you might want to consider another carrier.
FedEx
FedEx has been around since 1971 and is most known for their overnight air delivery service, FedEx Express.
For packages over 3 pounds, FedEx is cheaper than both USPS and UPS. Plus, if you sign up for a FedEx account, you can save another 15%.
FedEx will deliver Next Day, 2-3 Days, or 3-4 Days, depending which shipping speed is chosen.
UPS
UPS, founded in 1907, is one of the most reliable shipping carriers available, but not the most economical.
Items under 3 pounds would be costly to ship but reasonable for packages over 3 pounds. Plus, if you ship high volume, you may be able to negotiate better rates. For example, business owners who are shipping products to customers may find UPS to be a great shipping partner.
UPS offers 1-3 day delivery, 2-5 day delivery, and Standard delivery. And the best part is – packages almost always arrive on time. Through their tracking service, you can track your package to find out exactly where it is.
DHL
DHL has been in business since 1969. It iis a great and cost-effective choice if you are shipping internationally, whether you are mailing to customers or to friends and family overseas.
In addition, packages over 70 pounds fare well with DHL, as they tend to be lower in cost than the other carriers.
DHL can take 2-8 days for domestic shipments in the USA and 3-14 for international.
Choosing a shipping carrier can be overwhelming. Need help deciding which is best for you? Express Business Center is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Stop in and let our experienced customer service associates assist you.
You can also find more information about our delivery services on EBCLV.com
