If you're an international shopper, you know that finding the right shipping company is crucial to getting your purchases delivered on time and in one piece. In this blog post, we'll compare two of the most popular shipping companies—UPS and USPS—to help you make a decision about which one is right for your needs.
UPS: Advantages and disadvantages
Advantages:
- UPS has a large international presence, with over 220 countries and territories served. This means that they are likely to have the infrastructure in place to get your package delivered to its destination quickly and safely.
- UPS offers a wide range of shipping options, from ground to air, so you can choose the option that best fits your needs.
-UPS ships on Saturdays as well as weekdays, so you don't have to worry about your package sitting in a warehouse over the weekend.
Disadvantages:
UPS is generally more expensive than USPS, especially for air shipping.
- UPS does not ship to PO Boxes, so if your destination doesn't have a physical address, you'll need to use another company.
USPS: Advantages and disadvantages
Advantages:
USPS offers some of the most competitive rates for international shipping.
USPS ships to PO Boxes as well as physical addresses, so it's a good option if you're not sure about your destination's shipping infrastructure.
USPS offers tracking for all international shipments, so you can keep an eye on your package every step of the way.
Disadvantages:
Unlike UPS, USPS does not have a Saturday delivery option, so your package may sit in a warehouse over the weekend if it's shipped on Friday.
- USPS does not offer as many shipping options as UPS (they only offer three options: First Class Package International Service, Priority Mail International®, and Priority Mail Express International®). This means that you may have to pay more for faster shipping times.
UPS vs USPS: Which courier is faster?
UPS and USPS are both popular choices for international shipping, but which one is faster? Let's take a look at the average transit times for each carrier's international shipping services:
- UPS Worldwide Express: 1-3 business days
- UPS Worldwide Expedited: 2-5 business days
- USPS Priority Mail Express International: 3-5 business days
- USPS Priority Mail International: 6-10 business days
As you can see, both UPS and USPS offer express shipping options that guarantee quick delivery times. UPS Worldwide Express is typically the quickest option, with an average transit time of just 1–3 business days. If you need your shipment to arrive even faster, UPS also offers a same-day shipping option for certain locations.
UPS vs USPS: Which courier is cheaper?
When it comes to shipping costs, there are a lot of factors to consider. How much does the package weigh? What are the dimensions of the package? Is it going domestically or internationally? Is it being shipped via air, land, or sea? The list goes on. We'll compare and contrast their services so that you can make an informed decision about which one is right for your needs.
Now let's get into the nitty-gritty: costs. For packages weighing less than 1 pound, USPS is almost always cheaper than UPS. For packages weighing between 1 and 2 pounds, USPS is usually cheaper than UPS. For packages weighing more than 2 pounds, UPS is typically cheaper than USPS. However, it's important to note that these cost estimates are based on shipping within the continental United States; if you're shipping internationally, rates will vary.