TransAmerica Express: Shipping Logistics Provider, USA
  • HOME
  • LOGISTICS SERVICES
    • OVERVIEW
    • MANAGED TRANSPORTATION
    • TRUCKLOAD
    • LTL
    • INTERMODAL RAIL
    • TEMPERATURE CONTROLLED
    • EXPEDITED
    • INTERNATIONAL AIR & OCEAN
    • SPECIALTY FREIGHT SERVICES
  • INDUSTRIES
    • AEROSPACE
    • AUTOMOTIVE
    • CHEMICAL
    • CONSUMER PACKAGED GOODS
    • ENERGY
    • FOOD & BEVERAGE
    • GOVERNMENT
    • HEALTHCARE & PHARMACEUTICAL
    • MANUFACTURING
    • PAPER & PACKAGING
    • RETAIL
    • TECHNOLOGY & ELECTRONICS
  • COMPANY
    • COMPANY: OVERVIEW
    • DIFFERENCE
    • TESTIMONIALS
    • TECHNOLOGY
  • CAREERS
  • CARRIERS
  • RESOURCES
    • BLOG
    • MEDIA
    • FREIGHT CLASS CALCULATOR
    • TRANSIT TIMES
    • ELECTRONIC DATA INTERCHANGE
    • TRACK SHIPMENT
  • CONTACT
    • CONNECT WITH AN EXPERT
    • SUBMIT AN RFP
    • REQUEST FREIGHT QUOTE

TransAmerica Express Blog

Read valuable advice and professional insights about freight transportation
​and management from industry leading experts. ​
REQUEST FREIGHT QUOTE

Which is the Cheapest Shipping Options: UPS, USPS or FedEx?

1/23/2017

 
Picture
There have been many competitive analyses of various shipping carriers and the United States Postal Service jacked up rates every 6 months of which shipping method is the most economical for shippers in the USA. Three of the most reliable and popular carriers are USPS, FedEx and UPS. There are many shipping variables to choose from and it’s difficult to pick a good comparison without the lock down of basic parameters.

  • 14in X 12in  X 3in Package - Package is shipped cross country coming from California to residence in East Coast. This is a similar size of a USPS Medium Priority Mail Flat Rate Box.

  • Out of the Box Pricing - This is for all shipping carriers. Meaning, low negotiated rates that are based on the volume are not considered.
​
  • Labels are Printed Online​ - This means that all USPS associated online discounts apply.

Shipping 2Lbs or Heavier with 5-Day Delivery Window
UPS Ground or FedEx Ground are almost cheaper than USPS Priority Mail. Between UPS and FedEx, FedEx is cheaper because they are providing instant 15% off to all shipments by just creating an account online. However, discount levels vary but they always have a discount program.

As of 2016, both FedEx and UPS are already charging for “dimensional weight”. It means that if package is oversized or large, shipping charges increase. The UPS dimensional weight calculation is L*W*H/166. Packages that are below 5184 cu ft. are cheaper than USPS here.
Only exception is that, USPS is offering 3 Flat Rate Box shipping options which are small, medium and large. Make sure that your large flat rate is heavier than 7lbs. Otherwise, UPS or FedEx Ground will be cheaper.

Shipping Items less than 2Lbs
USPS is cheaper than UPS or FedEx hands down. But if weight gets close to 2lbs, USPS reaches price parity with FedEx Ground and UPS Ground. USPS is really a best option if package is weighing less than 13 Oz to be mailed through First Class mail. USPS is the cheapest option for shipping light items.


If you need Next Day Service
The cheapest option is again the USPS Express which is guaranteed but the only issue is that the delivery window is sometimes 2 days. They don’t offer morning delivery. USPS Express Mail is also not that reliable than the Next Day Service of UPS or FedEx. Guarantee means they will refund the money you paid for late delivery.


If you need 2-3 Day Delivery Window
​The USPS Priority Mail could be faster or slower depending on different unknown factors. However, FedEx and UPS always guarantee that their delivery times are fast but significantly more costly. Sometimes, double the USPS cost.
​

Final Take on the 3 Carriers
USPS is almost the cheapest among the 3 shipping carriers but in terms of reliability, it falls behind the 2 carriers. If you’re sending packages to middle of a town, or some Podunk, it’s likely to be delayed. But with FedEx Ground and UPS Ground shipping options, your delivery is not likely to be lost or delayed.
In general, if you’re searching for the best shipping option you can use, it depends mainly on your package and your preference. After all, all these carriers do their job to keep your package safe and delivered.

If you want to know more about our shipping services and for a free quote please click here.



Comments are closed.

    Connect With Us


      Receive Blog Updates

    SUBMIT

    Archives

    August 2020
    March 2020
    August 2019
    May 2019
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    February 2018
    December 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015

CONTACT

CALL US AT (866) 321-2568
​OR CONTACT US ONLINE

EMAIL US

solutions@transamericaexp.com​

RESOURCES

Transit Times
​​
Freight Class Calculator
Blog
​Electronic Data Interchange
​Track Shipment

SERVICES

Overview
Managed Transportation
​
Full Truckload
Less-Than-Truckload
Intermodal | Rail
Temperature Controlled

​Expedited
Air / Ocean Freight
​Specialty Freight Services
​Heavy | Oversized
TransAmerica Technology
​Customized Solutions

Industries

Aerospace
Automotive
Chemical
CPG Logistics
Energy
Food & Beverage
Government
Healthcare & Pharmaceutical
Manufacturing
​Paper & Packaging
Retail
​Technology & Electronics

QUICK LINKS

​​Company​
​Careers
​
​Logistics Services
Testimonials
Terms
​Privacy Policy
Request Freight Quote
​
​Track Shipment

FOLLOW US

Copyright © 2020 TransAmerica Express Logistics, LLC. ​All Rights Reserved. 866.321.2568
Photos used under Creative Commons from angelocesare, amsfrank, NCDOTcommunications, davidwilson1949, kennethkonica, morebyless, @EdwardTerry, Jim Larrison, Feed My Starving Children (FMSC), www.metaphoricalplatypus.com, Feed My Starving Children (FMSC), mikecogh, Mike Licht, NotionsCapital.com, torbakhopper, Tony Webster
  • HOME
  • LOGISTICS SERVICES
    • OVERVIEW
    • MANAGED TRANSPORTATION
    • TRUCKLOAD
    • LTL
    • INTERMODAL RAIL
    • TEMPERATURE CONTROLLED
    • EXPEDITED
    • INTERNATIONAL AIR & OCEAN
    • SPECIALTY FREIGHT SERVICES
  • INDUSTRIES
    • AEROSPACE
    • AUTOMOTIVE
    • CHEMICAL
    • CONSUMER PACKAGED GOODS
    • ENERGY
    • FOOD & BEVERAGE
    • GOVERNMENT
    • HEALTHCARE & PHARMACEUTICAL
    • MANUFACTURING
    • PAPER & PACKAGING
    • RETAIL
    • TECHNOLOGY & ELECTRONICS
  • COMPANY
    • COMPANY: OVERVIEW
    • DIFFERENCE
    • TESTIMONIALS
    • TECHNOLOGY
  • CAREERS
  • CARRIERS
  • RESOURCES
    • BLOG
    • MEDIA
    • FREIGHT CLASS CALCULATOR
    • TRANSIT TIMES
    • ELECTRONIC DATA INTERCHANGE
    • TRACK SHIPMENT
  • CONTACT
    • CONNECT WITH AN EXPERT
    • SUBMIT AN RFP
    • REQUEST FREIGHT QUOTE