As a business owner, you have to provide your customers with reliable and cost-effective shipping options. This can be the difference in whether or not they choose to shop with you.
66% of customers prefer retailers with more delivery options, making it essential for businesses to offer a choice. On the other hand, customers are increasingly cost-conscious. Shipping cost is the most important delivery factor by a wide margin.
While standard shipping is the default at checkout, it may be too slow for some shoppers used to faster services. Giving customers control over their delivery choice helps drive sales.
In this blog, we will explore the ins and outs of standard shipping and provide you with tips on how to offer it effectively.
Standard Shipping Defined
Standard shipping refers to the default, regular shipping option offered by companies, balancing cost and delivery speed. It is typically more economical than expedited shipping options but slower than express services.Standard shipping delivery times depend on destination and carrier, typically taking anywhere from several days to several weeks.
The shipping method you choose can greatly impact the attractiveness of your goods to potential buyers. Standard shipping, which is also known as economical shipping or cheap shipping, is one of the most common shipping options.
In standard shipping, your products are delivered with ease and in good time of their own without any rush of any kind, no extra charges or shipping techniques are used in this method of shipment, and the parcel is delivered according to the normal business days.
Typically, standard shipping is done via couriers, with orders possibly demanding a day to process. Standard shipments usually reach their destination within seven business days by Air, while by freight, they can take a long time, as much as 60 da
How Long Does Standard Shipping Take?
Delivery lead times for standard shipping vary slightly among couriers. Standard shipping time is typically five days or less for USPS, UPS, and FedEx. USPS offers First Class Mail with delivery in 2-5 business days, while UPS and FedEx provide day-definite delivery in 1-5 days.
Here’s how standard shipping times compare across the top common couriers in the US:
The USPS provides two main delivery services: USPS First Class Mail and USPS Priority Mail. First Class Mail accepts packages weighing less than one pound, and Priority Mail accepts products weighing up to 70 pounds.
Here’s how USPS First Class Mail, the lighter form of USPS normal delivery, works:
- Cheapest USPS service for small items
- Delivery in 2-5 business days
- Insurance of $50 included
- Tracking included
Here’s what you can expect from USPS Priority Mail for heavier shipments:
- Cheap USPS service for items under 70 pounds
- Delivery in 2-5 business days
- Insurance of $50 included
- Tracking included
UPS Standard Shipping
UPS Ground Shipping is the company’s regular shipping service. All shipments weighing less than 150 pounds are eligible for this service. Here’s how UPS basic shipping works:
- Cheapest UPS shipping service
- Day-definite delivery in 1-5 days, location depending
- Insurance available for purchase
- Tracking included
FedEx Standard Shipping
FedEx offers standard shipping as FedEx Ground. This service is available for all packages up to 150 pounds. Here are the details on FedEx standard shipping:
- Cheapest FedEx shipping service
- Delivery in 1-5 business days (3-7 days to Alaska or Hawaii)
- $100 insurance included
- Tracking included
The Costs of Standard Shipping
Standard delivery is the most affordable choice from any carrier, with costs determined by factors such as delivery distance, package weight, size, and any value-added shipping extras. Fortunately, ordinary shipping does not require the purchase of specific boxes, allowing the use of any appropriately sized box.
Standard shipping services allow you to use any box that suits your merchandise. All courier websites provide free basic delivery boxes of any size. Alternatively, use whatever small, medium, or large boxes you have lying around.
Understanding standard shipping and its variations is essential for businesses and individuals looking to balance cost-effectiveness with timely and reliable delivery.
Moreover, you can check the exact standard shipping rates and their comparison with other shipping methods by visiting this online shipping calculator.
Standard shipping vs. express shipping: The right shipping option for your B2B shipping
Reliable, affordable and efficient shipping services are the be-all and end-all of business shipping. Aside from special services, standard and express shipping are regularly available as options. But what exactly distinguishes these two shipping methods, what are their respective advantages and disadvantages? And which is the right one for your B2B shipping?
Standard shipping: Reliable and affordable
Standard shipping is the most cost-effective option for sending parcels and pallets. The main features are:
- Pick-up usually on the next business day
- Longer delivery times (usually 2-5 business days nationally, 5-10 business days internationally)
- Usually, the cheapest way of shipping
- Basic tracking
Standard shipping within your country is usually delivered within 2–5 working days. International shipments take 3–10 working days, depending on the destination, and in some cases two weeks.
Express shipping: when speed is of the essence
The main feature is clear from the name: an express parcel is ideal for anyone who values particularly fast delivery.
- Collection: If booked by 12 noon, collection on the same working day
- Delivery on the next working day (national)
- Higher costs compared to standard shipping
- Detailed tracking in real time
The delivery time also depends on the destination, especially for international shipping, which can take up to seven days – and even longer in some cases. We are talking here about a standard delivery time, mind you, since not all service providers still offer guaranteed delivery times for express delivery.
Differences between standard and express delivery
- Speed: Express is significantly faster than standard.
- Cost: Express delivery is usually more expensive.
- Tracking: Express often offers more precise tracking options.
- Delivery guarantee: If the specified express delivery time is exceeded, shipping service providers sometimes offer customers a money-back guarantee.
- Pick-up: Customers can often choose more flexible pick-up times with express services than with standard shipping.
Special features of international shipping
When shipping internationally to third countries outside the EU, there are a few additional points to consider when deciding for or against standard shipping:
- Customs clearance: Express services often take care of the entire customs clearance process.
- Documentation: Correct shipping documents are essential for both types of shipping.
- Transit times: The faster customs clearance makes express shipping particularly advantageous for international shipments.
- Country-specific regulations: Please note that some countries may have certain restrictions for express or standard shipments.
What additional options can be booked?
Various additional services can be booked for both standard and express delivery:
Standard shipping:
- Insurance for high-value goods
- Delivery to packing stations
- Handling of oversized goods for large or bulky items
Express shipping:
- All standard shipping options
- Time slot delivery
- Saturday delivery
Ground Shipping Vs Standard Shipping
- Delivery speed: Ground shipping 2-5 business days and standard shipping domestic 1 — 7 business days depending on distance and carrier.
- Cost Differences: Ground shipping is often more economical—particularly for domestic shipments—because it leverages land transportation, which is typically less costly.
- Transportation Flexibility: Ground shipping is confined to land transport only, whereas standard shipping can use other means of transport — like ground, air, or sea — depending on the delivery time and distance.
Differences Between Standard Shipping and Flat-rate Shipping
Flat-rate shipping simply means consolidating all of the goods into the smallest sized parcel that can hold them and shipping the required piece at a fixed shipping price (as long as it is below the weight limit). Standard shipping, however, determines shipping charges based on the size, weight, and destination of the package. Flat rate shipping provides fixed delivery times and costs from the shipper, making it highly efficient for businesses that ship identical packages.
- Fixed delivery time and fixed price are determined by the shipper.
- One price for all consignments.
- Affordable when shipping to a specific local destination.
- Idyllic for businesses with identical shipments.
Time-saving as there’s no need to weigh and measure the consignment.
Standard International Shipping
Standard international shipping is the normal shipping method that many logistics companies offer. The cost of shipping packages this way is usually reasonably priced, and it offers average shipping times and full tracking.
This type of shipping is offered by almost all shipping companies, this is the most common shipping method for online shoppers. It is intended for small businesses or shoppers who send shipments of varying sizes and weights.
Here are some of the main features of standard international shipping:
Reasonable Cost
The cost mostly depends on the size and weight of your packages. Most companies have international shipping calculators so that you can input the dimensions of your packages. Then, you’ll get an idea of the cost of shipping.
Sending a package from Canada to the United States is usually very reasonably priced for most logistics companies. However, different couriers offer different rates, so do your research, particularly on your courier’s shipping partner in the United States.
Average Delivery Time
Though this method is faster than Economy shipping, it’s slower than international priority shipping. Some deliveries take three days; others may take up to four weeks to deliver because of customs issues. If that happens, say goodbye to good customer feedback.
You can use standard shipping for most of your packages, but set your customer’s expectations. Always mention that delays sometimes happen, and make sure to inform them if their package takes longer to deliver.
Standard international shipping is the ideal type of shipping for non-urgent purchases made by customers willing to wait a few business days for their items to arrive. This means that standard shipping does not include overnight shipping and will not cost you extra compared to express shipping services or expedited parcel delivery.
Full Tracking Options
Most shipping companies offer full tracking services for standard international shipping. Online tracking is also an option that most companies offer nowadays. Because these packages aren’t transported in bulk, keeping track of them is a lot easier than economy shipping.
Variation between Standard Shipping and International Standard Shipping
International standard shipping takes into account the impact of location on shipping rates and travel time.The service is partnered with reliable international couriers and offers a complete range of pick-up and drop-off services. For simple international shipping, private parties need to provide basic commercial documents including invoices, packing list, certificates of origin, and bills of lading. A single shipping company to ship internationally will give you everything you want to deal with the unique needs of your market.
You will be assisted in locating viable supply chains, gaining access to multimodal freight transportation, and processing the necessary documents.
The following documents may be required for basic international shipping:
- Proforma or commercial invoices outlining all relevant costs.
- A packing list that allows for the identification of packaged objects.
- Certificates of origin indicating the country of origin of the products.
- Letter of instruction from the shipper covering all of the information required to transport your products successfully.
- Bills of lading for inland, maritime, or air transport.
- Form for Dangerous Goods, if relevant
- A bank draft that comprises information about transactions involving the transfer of funds.
A shipment note is a document that you must fill out to provide information on the contents of a shipment when using standard shipping. The subject will be made known to carriers, collecting agencies, and couriers.
To use this note, you may complete the same standard document for each consignment, regardless of which depot it is heading to.
Depending on your client’s demands, you will now be able to safely provide numerous shipping alternatives and make the best shipping method choices
Final Thoughts
standard shipping is a widely used and economical method of delivering goods, striking a balance between delivery time and cost. It’s not as immediate as expedited shipping, but is a viable option for most businesses or consumers who aren’t in an immediate need of their products. With some foresight and an appreciation for the virtues of standard shipping, customers can take advantage of a smooth and cost-effective experience without sacrificing service quality.
