Economy Shipping: What It Is and When To Use It
by Jaidyn Farar
Some products need to be delivered as quickly as possible. When sending food and beverages, flowers, medical products, or other perishables, overnight shipping is almost always the way to go.
But in many situations, choosing a slower shipping method is the smartest move.
Lots of customers are comfortable waiting a few extra days in order to save money on shipping, and if your business absorbs shipping costs, you have even more reason to go for the most affordable option.
Let’s talk about economy shipping: what it is, how it differs from other shipping methods, and when you should use it.
What is economy shipping?
Economy shipping is the cheapest way to send a package domestically or internationally. This delivery option prioritizes savings over speed, making it a great choice for orders that aren’t time-sensitive.
Because it relies on the slowest transportation methods—road or water—economy shipping usually takes longer than standard or expedited shipping. Despite this drawback, businesses can use economy shipping to their advantage, as the lower rates make it easier to manage shipping expenses and maintain competitive pricing for customers.
If you offer an economy shipping option, make sure to set expectations early on by letting shoppers know exactly when their package will arrive. Many people will happily wait a few extra days in order to save money.
Economy vs. standard shipping
Economy shipping is the slowest and most affordable option a carrier offers, making it ideal for non-urgent deliveries. Standard shipping strikes a balance between speed and cost, offering faster delivery times than economy without the high price tag of overnight or expedited services.
Economy vs. expedited shipping
Unlike economy shipping, expedited services prioritize speed, typically delivering orders within one or two days. This makes them great for urgent orders or time-sensitive products.
The only drawback is that expedited delivery’s premium service comes with a premium price tag that may be outside your business’s budget.
How long does economy shipping take?
Economy shipping generally takes up to five business days for domestic deliveries and up to 15 business days for international orders. But these timelines aren’t set in stone. Several factors influence transit times, including carrier networks, shipping destinations, and weather disruptions. For international shipments, customs clearance can further impact timelines.
When using economy shipping, take advantage of package tracking services to keep your customers in the loop about where their package is and when it will arrive.
Which carrier to use for economy shipping
Many carriers offer affordable shipping services. The best way to know for sure that you’re getting the best possible deal is to use a shipping API like EasyPost, which automatically integrates with over 100 carriers to help you find the best rates.
For now, let’s explore some of the most popular domestic economy services offered by USPS, UPS, and FedEx.
USPS
For small, lightweight packages, the cheapest way to ship with USPS is USPS Ground Advantage, which delivers within two to five business days. This service can be used to ship to all 50 states, as well as U.S. military bases, territories, possessions, and Freely Associated States.
UPS
For domestic deliveries, UPS Ground is a low-cost, reliable shipping service that delivers in one to five business days. Tracking is included in the shipping cost, and you can ship to all 50 states and Puerto Rico.
FedEx
When shipping packages to residences (not businesses), FedEx Home Delivery is one of the most economical options. One unique perk of this service is that it offers home delivery every day of the week, including Sundays. This service delivers to all 50 U.S. states, and shipping takes between one and five business days.
Save on economy shipping with EasyPost
Whether you’re sending non-urgent packages with economy shipping or using an overnight service to quickly deliver time-sensitive goods, shipping rates are anything but simple. So many factors come into play: the carrier, the destination, additional services and surcharges, and more.
Signing contracts with carriers and negotiating rates can give you access to cost savings, but the process is also time-consuming—and it doesn’t favor SMBs or mid-market companies.
That’s why EasyPost’s suite of shipping APIs is a game-changer. In addition to providing steeply discounted rates from top carriers, EasyPost automates key shipping processes like label creation, tracking, and carrier selection. No matter how big or small your business, EasyPost makes shipping easy.