Overnight shipping is one of the best tools in the shipping and handling industry. Thanks to airplanes and modern distribution networks, you can ship products hundreds of miles away in a matter of hours if you need to.
If you’ve ever wondered, “how much does it cost to ship a package?” you’re not alone overnight ecommerce shipping costs in particular aren’t cheap.
In fact, any form of expedited shipping is one of the most expensive ways to deliver products. So what are the costs you can expect to pay to ship goods overnight, especially if you’re just learning how to ship large items? How do the top three carriers, fedex and usps, compare to each other?
Keep reading to find these answers and more.
how does overnight shipping work?
overnight shipping is the process of dropping off a package one day and receiving it the next business day (sometimes sooner). there are several logistical requirements that must be met before overnight shipping following can be successful.
First, the package must meet overnight shipping requirements. This means the package must be properly sealed, not exceed weight limits, and delivered before the cutoff time.
No matter how many eCommerce shipping companies you’re considering, there’s a time of day after which your package won’t check in for that business day. instead, they will allocate it to next business day outgoing shipments and the delivery time will be extended by one day.
Second, the shipping company must have room for it in their cargo bays. Overnight packages are transported from shipping facilities to planes, then from airports to distribution centers and then to the customer, sometimes through 3pl companies. Due to such delicate transport logistics, most companies only have limited space in aircraft cargo holds.
If space is limited for any reason, it may delay your shipment or cost more to include it. If your business ships a lot in bulk, overnight shipping is not a good option for you due to the costs and logistics involved.
Third, the transportation company must have a transportation network that coincides with point a and point b. In most cases, transportation companies have a tiered distribution network to through which they send the packages the next day. p>
for example, a plane can go from chicago to philadelphia, from philadelphia to charlotte, from charlotte to atlanta, etc. By shipping planes short distances across the country, it’s easier for carriers to pick up and drop off packages efficiently.
next day shipping is optimal for domestic destinations as farther away locations cannot be reached the next morning. Before finalizing shipping costs, check that your carrier can deliver to your recipient’s location. otherwise you may need to use alternative shipping services.
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how long does overnight shipping take?
next day shipping usually takes 12-24 hours from the time the package is handed over to the carrier until it reaches the buyer. however, sometimes it takes longer due to the long time of delivery, inclement weather, or inventory in transit that is ahead of your products.
These problems are rare, but it is because of these factors that shipping companies must limit what they can guarantee. Overnight packages can reach their respective customers one to two business days after shipping begins.
increases overnight shipping
ups is one of the largest and oldest shipping companies in the united states. The carrier began in 1907, employs nearly half a million people, and generates about $4.8 billion in annual revenue.
ups overnight shipping options are some of the best in their class. If you prefer UPS in general because they offer competitive rates, the story is no different with their overnight costs. Read on for details on UPS overnight shipping prices.
increases overnight shipping cost
Overnight shipping costs vary depending on the services offered and the total weight of the package. Take a look at your overnight shipping options and costs below:
increases air savings the next day:
- approximately $100 to $110 for packages 5 pounds or less
- approximately $140 to $150 for packages 10 pounds or less
- approximately $150 or more for packages weighing over 10 pounds
oops next day air:
- approximately $110 to $120 for packages 5 pounds or less
- approximately $145 to $155 for packages 10 pounds or less
- approximately $160 or more for packages weighing more than 10 pounds
ups next day air early:
- about $140 to $150 for packages of 5 pounds or less
- about $175 to $185 for packages of 10 pounds or less
- about $210 to $220 for packages of over 10 pounds
usps overnight shipping
Although USPS doesn’t offer an “overnight” shipping service by name, instead, its Priority Mail Expedited Service is the closest thing to an overnight guarantee. They also offer great flat rate shipping options to take advantage of if possible.
usps overnight shipping cost
usps priority mail express is divided into two categories: domestic express and international express. domestic express packages are delivered in one to two business days, and international express packages are delivered in three to five business days.
Costs increase progressively for packages of different weights, but rise sharply from domestic to international. take a look at the prices below:
express priority mail:
- starting at $26.35 for packages weighing half a pound or less
- starting at $28.35 for packages weighing 5 pounds or less
- starting at $42.70 for packages of 10 pounds or less
- starting at $44.75 for packages over 10 pounds
For an additional $5, you can also get guaranteed delivery the next business day at 10:30 am.
international express priority mail:
- starting at $45.95 for packages weighing a half pound or less
- starting at $71.75 for packages weighing 5 pounds or less
- starting at $98.55 for packages of 10 pounds or less
- starting at $103.80 for packages over 10 pounds
next day shipping via fedex
Thanks to its robust global air freight and distribution network, fedex offers some of the best overnight rates in the industry. FedEx made a name for itself as a fast and reliable shipping company in large part because it began offering air freight when few other companies did.
fedex overnight shipping cost
fedex overnight shipping services come with three options: standard, priority, and first. the standard delivers packages to businesses at 4:30 p.m. m. and to residence halls at 8 p.m. m.; priority delivers packages to businesses at 10:30 am and residences at 4:30 pm; and first get packages delivered at 9:30am. m. in most locations.
here are the starting prices for each category:
Fedex Standard Overnight:
- approximately $85 to $95 for packages of 5 pounds or less
- approximately $116 to $126 for packages of 10 pounds or less
- approximately $135 to $145 or more for packages weighing more than 10 pounds
next day fedex priority:
- approximately $110 to $120 for packages of 5 pounds or less
- approximately $136 to $146 for packages of 10 pounds or less
- approximately $165 to $175 or more for packages weighing more than 10 pounds
fedex first the next day:
- approximately $145 to $155 for packages 5 pounds or less
- approximately $170 to $180 for packages 10 pounds or less
- approximately $199 to $210 or more for packages weighing more than 10 pounds
*please note that all shipping charges, including overnight shipping charges, are subject to change at any time. Price fluctuations may be the result of changes in commercial service, increased demand, limited transportation availability, or other factors entirely.
cheaper next day shipping
cheapest overnight shipping will be usps in most cases. costing about $26-$28 for most packages, this is about $58-$78 cheaper than fedex and oops.
Because the US Postal Service is a government entity and therefore does not have the same infrastructure and marketing expenses as companies, they are able to offer much lower rates than the competition. they also have 265 processing facilities, making it easy to move mail to and from destinations.
frequently asked questions about overnight shipping costs
Overnight shipping is a great convenience when you need it, but that doesn’t mean it’s easy to navigate. transitioning products sold on your online marketplace into the hands of customers can be a bit overwhelming.
To make it easier, here are some frequently asked questions about overnight shipping and our answers:
how much does it cost to ship a package the next day?
Overnight shipping of a package depends on the weight of the item, the destination and the carrier chosen, but most overnight deliveries cost between $27 and $70. this price range assumes you selected a service that delivers within 24 hours of shipping, your package weighs 5 pounds or less, and there are no delays.
If your package weighs less or you only have to travel a short distance, you may be able to find lower rates than the price range above. Always check rates the day you ship your package so you can get the best price possible.
which is cheaper: fedex or ups night?
Although the two carriers offer comparable rates, FedEx’s standard overnight option is slightly cheaper than UPS’s next day air saver option. One reason why fedex can charge less overnight is due to its large air fleet.
how much is fedex the next day?
Fedex’s overnight shipping options range from $85 at the low end to $210 or more at the high end. Their lowest rates deliver packages later in the day until midnight, and its fastest rates deliver packages from midday to early morning.
does it cost more to send liquids?
No, it doesn’t cost more to ship liquids, as long as you follow the carrier’s rules.
no overnight success stories… except shipping
Sometimes getting your packages delivered quickly is a necessity, which is why staying overnight is so convenient. urgent document shipping, frozen food shipping, and medication shipping are examples of products that are routinely shipped overnight.
Use the prices and information here to guide your decisions. With the right service, you can get packages delivered on time and keep customers happy. This in turn leads to more ecommerce sales, higher profits, and a more successful business.