In today’s fast-paced world, everything moves quicker than ever before. Customers want their goods delivered as soon as possible and with the least amount of hassle. That is why many of them choose expedited shipping. As the name suggests, it is a type of shipment that is faster than regular. But what exactly does it entail? While the exact characteristics of expedited delivery may differ for different carriers, there are some basic qualities which are the same.

What is the definition of expedited shipping?

By definition, an expedited shipment will arrive sooner than a standard one. Many customers use it when ordering products online for themselves or their business. People use this type of shipment for different products, for example, perishable goods. On the other hand, some companies need parts from manufacturers in a short amount of time. Their business might depend on how soon those parts arrive. In any case, this type of shipment is best for time-sensitive deliveries.

For any business, your profit will depend on the level of service you provide. Delivery is a big part of that, so if you need assistance with project cargo services, don’t hesitate to ask professionals for help.

How long does it take?

Depending on the company, expedited shipping usually takes up to 3 days. However, you need to do research into the courier to see what is standard delivery for them. For example, if a company’s standard delivery takes 6 days, then an expedited shipment will arrive before those 6 days are up. Here is a list of times of expedited shipping for different companies:

• United States Postal Service (USPS): this company has two different types of expedited shipping: priority and express. Priority shipping usually takes up to 3 to 4 days. On the other hand, express shipping allows next-day delivery for most areas of the country. Alternatively, international express shipments can take up to 4-5 days.
• United Parcel Service (UPS): UPS offers many types of delivery faster than standard. For example, there are Next Day Air, Next Day Air Early AM, 2nd Day Air, 3-Day Select, etc. They also offer a Worldwide Expedited service, that provides fast international deliveries. For all of these, your shipment will arrive between 1 to 3 days.
• FedEx: for this carrier, regular shipping takes between 1 to 5 days. There are also many different forms of faster delivery, such as First Overnight, Standard Overnight, and Same Day delivery. Like with UPS, these shipments take up to 3 days.

International shipping can cause you quite a headache if you are not familiar with the laws and regulations. If you want to run a successful business overseas, you need to find professionals who are familiar with Japan logistics and can help you run your business smoothly.

What is the cost of expedited shipping?

This is definitely not the cheapest way to send and receive parcels. Because it is a priority, there are going to be some additional costs. However, it is worth the price because you will receive your goods at the time that you need them. But you also need to know the money you will spend before you choose any carrier. The USPS three-day delivery costs around $17.25. For UPS, the same service will cost you $37.69, while FedEx charges $41.51. Of course, the actual cost of shipping will depend on the size of the package, where it is being shipped, and other factors.

Compared to other types of shipping

Expedited shipping vs regular shipping

Regular or standard shipping is the standard time it takes for a company to send the shipment ordered. This service is usually free and in most cases, it takes from 3 to 10 days. On the other hand, some companies have 2-day shipping as their standard, which eliminates the need for an expedited shipment. For those with slower standard shipments, faster alternatives are available. In any case, you should know exactly what a 2-day delivery means. The 2 days it takes for your order to arrive only refers to the time after they have shipped the order. This means that if you order on a weekend or a holiday, your order probably won’t be processed for a couple of days. While there are ways to save money on an emergency shipment, you should know that it is more expensive than a standard one.

Expedited shipping vs express shipping

As you have seen, some companies offer express shipping instead of expedited. In this case, they mean the same things, as both are faster than standard. On the other hand, there is the possibility that the company offers both expedited and express shipping. If this is the case, express shipping is usually faster, meaning overnight or even same day, while expedited only means that it will arrive sooner than by standard shipping.

How does it ship?

The companies that offer this type of shipment usually have trucks solely for this purpose. This type of shipment is called ‘dedicated’ because it is only used for expedited shipments and not standard ones. These trucks will drive straight from the pick-up point to the delivery point. There are no other stops along the way. This means that your shipment will arrive at your destination as soon as possible. Moreover, fewer stops mean that there is a lesser chance of damage to your shipment. Also, you will know where your package is at all times. You can even track your international package and see exactly where it is and when it will arrive.

Reasons to choose expedited shipping

If you own a business, online or otherwise, you know how important delivery times are to your customers. Especially if they are in business themselves, and need precise times of delivery. There are many ways in which expedited shipping can help your business grow. For one, research shows that 60% of people who shop online believe shipping times are a factor when choosing who to buy from. So offering fast as well as affordable shipping is key to succeeding in the 21st century.

Additionally, customers who are satisfied with delivery times are more likely to come back. Repeat purchases are a major factor for any thriving business, and you will not want to lose customers because their shipment did not arrive in the time promised.