Standard Shipping: Benefits, price ranges and delivery times

Is standard shipping the optimal choice for every online shopper when completing an e-commerce transaction? 

Recent data gathered by Worldcraft Logistics suggests that approximately 68% of consumers prefer retailers offering a variety of delivery options. While standard shipping tends to be more economical, it often comes with a trade-off of slower delivery times. This delay might prove bothersome for customers accustomed to expedited services such as next-day or same-day delivery. 

To gain deeper insights into the concept of standard shipping, its operational procedures, and the role of third-party logistics providers (3PLs) in enhancing customer satisfaction, refer to the article published by Worldcraft Logistics.

What is Standard Shipping?

While many of us have utilized standard shipping, it's often referred to by various other names such as economy shipping, budget shipping, basic shipping, regular shipping, or ground shipping. Essentially, standard shipping encompasses any economical shipping option available. Domestic shipments within the US typically take 3-5 business days for delivery as they are transported via ground. 

In contrast, express shipping provides a swiffer alternative. Services offered by US couriers typically guarantee delivery within 1–2 days due to transportation by air.

International shipments may require from 7 to 30 days to reach their destination. Standard shipping services are offered by all major couriers, including USPS, UPS, DHL and FedEx... 

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How long does standard shipping take?

Delivery lead times for standard shipping may vary slightly among couriers and individual shipments, but generally, standard shipping time spans five days or less for USPS, UPS, and FedEx.

Here's a comparison of standard shipping times among the most common couriers in the US:

1. USPS Standard Shipping

The United States Postal Service provides two standard shipping services: USPS First Class Mail and USPS Priority Mail. First Class Mail is suitable for items weighing less than one pound, while Priority Mail accommodates items up to 70 pounds.

Discounts on USPS Standard Shipping service:

• Economical USPS service for small items

• Delivery in 2-5 business days

• Includes $50 insurance and tracking

• Cost-effective USPS service for items under 70 pounds

2. UPS Standard Shipping

UPS offers standard shipping under the name UPS Ground Shipping, suitable for packages weighing less than 150 pounds.

Discounts on UPS Standard Shipping service:

• Affordable UPS shipping option

• Day-definite delivery in 1–5 days, depending on location

• Insurance available for purchase

• Includes tracking

• FedEx provides standard shipping as FedEx Ground, suitable for packages weighing up to 150 pounds.

3. FedEx Ground:

Economical FedEx shipping choice

• Delivery in 1-5 business days (3-7 days to Alaska or Hawaii)

• Includes $100 insurance and tracking

These standard shipping options offer a range of features and delivery times to meet various shipping needs.

The pros and cons of economy shipping

Standard shipping undoubtedly offers several advantages for eCommerce merchants, primarily being the most cost-effective delivery option, thus allowing for higher profit margins. However, it's essential to recognize both its benefits and drawbacks in the context of today's market expectations.

To mitigate these drawbacks and remain competitive in the market, eCommerce merchants should consider implementing cart optimization features like Rates at Checkout. This allows for the offering of a diverse range of delivery options, tailored to meet varying customer preferences. By providing appealing delivery choices, merchants can enhance customer satisfaction, increase conversion rates, and ultimately drive sales.

Standard shipping compared different the delivery methods

When retailers opt for standard shipping, they typically benefit from cost savings on shipping expenses, which can then be passed on to customers. However, in today's competitive market, simply offering standard shipping may not suffice to meet customer expectations. Customers often desire more diverse shipping options to align with their preferences for delivery speed and budget.

Let's compare standard shipping to express, ground, and international shipping:

1. Standard Shipping vs. Express Shipping

Standard shipping typically involves a slower mail service with a transit time ranging from three to seven business days from the order dispatch date. In contrast, express shipping offers a faster but more expensive alternative.

Sometimes, the terms "express" and "expedited" shipping are used interchangeably. However, it's important to note that express shipping generally ensures quicker delivery, sometimes even the next day or within two days, while expedited shipping merely provides a faster option compared to standard shipping.

Certain shippers may refer to expedited shipping as premium shipping, catering to customers with urgent delivery requirements. For example, ShipBob offers its merchants access to affordable 2-day shipping.

2. Standard Shipping vs. Ground Shipping

Standard and ground shipping essentially refer to the same service. For domestic deliveries, parcels are collected from warehouses and transported to customers via ground transport, typically taking 3 to 5 business days for delivery.

In cases where customers reside in remote areas of the US, delivery may take slightly longer. Utilizing the services of regional parcel carriers could prove beneficial in such scenarios.

3. Standard Shipping vs. International Shipping

Standard international shipping generally operates at a slower pace and offers a more economical option compared to expedited international shipping.

With standard international shipping, customers can anticipate receiving their orders within 1 to 3 weeks for overseas locations. Customs delays may extend the delivery time up to 5 weeks. Conversely, expedited international shipping ensures delivery within 1 to 6 business days, offering a significantly quicker option.

Standard shipping carriers you could trust

Standard ground shipping is the best option for shipping large numbers of ecommerce items within the United States. Numerous respected carriers offer dependable last-mile delivery services as well as simplified return processes at low postal rates.

To assist you in determining which shipping options to integrate into your ecommerce platform, here's a comparison of standard shipping services offered by DHL, USPS, UPS, and FedEx:

Please keep in mind that the shipping prices offered are based on data from March 2024, for a package weighing 2.2 pounds and claiming a value of $100, originating in New York and bound for California. Worldcraft Logistics' website allows you to request an estimate for current domestic shipping prices.

It's important to acknowledge that there isn't a standardized price or timeframe for international standard shipping due to varying factors such as distance, customs procedures, and individual country regulations. These elements significantly influence the overall shipping cost and duration for international shipments.

Standard shipping price list (Reference price)

How much is standard shipping? The overall cost of your shipping is determined by factors such as delivery distance, package weight and dimensions, and any optional options you choose, such as delivery confirmation.

Here's a reference price list for standard shipping services from several carriers, based on average rates as of March 2024 for domestic shipments within the United States:

Standard Shipping FAQ

1. What does standard shipping mean?

Standard shipping, synonymous with economy, ground, or basic shipping, represents the most affordable and leisurely shipping option provided by couriers. It serves as the baseline shipping choice offered by eCommerce stores. Essentially, when referring to economy versus standard shipping, both terms denote the same service.

2. How long does standard shipping take from China?

The duration of standard shipping from China varies depending on the courier. Typically, it can take weeks for a standard shipping order to reach its destination from China. This lengthy timeframe is primarily due to standard shipping orders being transported via sea freight, which is inherently slow.

3. How long does standard shipping take from Canada?

Standard shipping from Canada to the US usually requires 5 to 14 business days for delivery, with additional time required for shipments to other countries. Cross-border shipments must undergo customs clearance, which typically adds a couple of days to the overall shipping duration.

4. How to standard shipping tracking

To track a package sent via standard shipping:

Get the tracking number from the sender -> Visit the courier's website -> Enter the tracking number -> Review the tracking information provided.

In the increasingly competitive market, providing standard shipping services is becoming a crucial factor for businesses. Ensuring reliability and efficiency in this service not only generates customer satisfaction but also plays a significant role in maintaining and fostering business relationships. This underscores a company's commitment to meeting customers' transportation needs reliably and effectively, thus building trust and credibility in the market. Worldcraft Logistics stands out as a leader in delivering such standards, setting benchmarks for the industry and consistently meeting customer expectations.