What is the cheapest way to ship overnight?
The ability to send packages overnight is a cornerstone of the shipping industry. All major U.S. carriers offer expedited shipping, but only one carrier offers the most affordable overnight package delivery.
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USPS Priority Mail Express is the cheapest way to ship overnight in the US
For remote locations, the cheapest way to ship overnight in the US is the USPS Priority Mail Express service. Priority Mail Express delivers next day to most urban areas in the U.S. and select rural areas within two days.
Two other major carriers, UPS and FedEx, also offer overnight shipping through UPS Next Day Air and FedEx Priority Overnight services, respectively. While these services may be several hours or so faster than Priority Mail Express, they are almost always more expensive. After all, you get what you pay for, and if you want the most savings on overnight shipping, sticking with Priority Mail Express is always the best bet.
Learn more about the fastest domestic service offered by every major U.S. airline.
International Shipping with DHL
For international shipping, none of the three major U.S. carriers (USPS, UPS, and FedEx) offer the cheapest overnight service. However, there is a fourth option: DHL.
DHL is a multinational shipping carrier designed for urgent and time-sensitive deliveries to overseas destinations. Thanks to its vast network, it is able to offer overnight international delivery at the most competitive rates. FedEx is the next best option for overnight international delivery, but it’s almost always more expensive. That said, DHL drop points are not as accessible in the US as FedEx…if you live in an area where DHL doesn’t exist, you may have no choice but to use FedEx.
Finally, unlike other carriers, DHL also offers same-day delivery on certain international shipments. Of course, this service is much more expensive; however, it’s good to know it’s available when you’re in a pinch when you receive a time-sensitive package around the world.
Learn more about DHL Expedited International Services.
Save the Most Money on Overnight Packages with Shipping Software
While overnight shipping can cost a lot of money, there is a way to reduce those costs…and that is by using online shipping software to purchase postage.
When you use shipping software, you can get special discounts that carriers usually reserve only for large commercial shippers. For USPS, this pricing tier is called business pricing. In some cases, commercial pricing rates will allow you to ship the exact same Priority Mail Express package for up to 17% less than shipping it at your local post office. Since overnight delivery is often more expensive, saving as much money as possible can make a big difference…and taking advantage of special discounts through shipping software is the best way to do it.
