Shipping time guide by carrier

Which major shipping company has the quickest arrival time? Get the fastest delivery times from FedEx, DHL, UPS and USPS.

Product characteristics

Weight, size and risky items are all variables that might impact transportation time.

Weight is essential since it might effect shipping prices and delivery timeframes

Heavy parcels sometimes take longer to travel through the postal system and might be more costly to transport.

Dimensions are also significant, since they may decide whether an item is too big to be mailed or if it has to be delivered in a specific container.

For example, USPS has a maximum weight restriction of 70 pounds and a maximum size for most shipments of 108 inches in combined length and girth.

Transporting big and huge goods is not particularly lucrative since a vehicle might be filled with hundreds of little parcels or a few enormous, heavy products occupying a great deal of space.

Dangerous items might also take longer to transport (and cost more) since they need more attention during travel.

So the easiest way to determine whether your package includes characteristics that might influence travel time is to ask your carrier at pick up or return.

They will provide you with a delivery date depending on the product's specifications.

Location

This is arguably the most essential issue when it comes to shipment time.

Your location will determine the distance your shipment must travel and the time required for delivery.

If you reside in a rural place, the delivery of your shipment may take longer.

For example, the "transit time by carrier" section below mentions that Alaska and Hawaii take longer than contiguous states to ship.

This is because they are placed farther apart from the rest of the nation.

And, of course, international shipping will take much longer since your shipment needs to travel farther and through US Customs.

Shipping time according to the carrier

Do you need overnight delivery of your grandmother's birthday gift, or would five days suffice?

How soon you need to transport your package over the river and through the woods to your grandmother's home might be a decisive factor.

When choosing between major airlines, it is useful to be aware of typical travel times.

Consider the typical delivery timeframes of the biggest shipping companies.

FedEx

FedEx Road services include FedEx Economy Class shipping (for shipments up to 70 pounds and 130 inches in length) and include monitoring.

You may use the FedEx shipment calculator to estimate your shipping costs.

Usually, shipping takes two to seven business days.

Within the US: One to five days
Alaska and Hawaii: Three to seven days
First-class and overnight shipping are speedier shipping choices, with overnight shipping enabling next business day delivery for parcels and freight.

You may now send to more than 200 nations and territories with FedEx International Economy.

International shipping shipment time is normally between two to five business days.

Waiting for a parcel from FedEx? Read our guide on how to trace a FedEx shipment.

We also provide information on how to locate FedEx pick-up and drop-off sites in your area.

UPS Economy Shipping (up to 150 pounds in weight and 108 inches in length) is offered with UPS Ground and includes package tracking.

UPS Flat Rate Shipping (now known as Flat Rate) is dependant on shipment size.

Typically, domestic shipping takes one to seven business days.

Within the United States: 1 to 5 days
Alaska and Hawaii: Three to seven days
UPS Economy International (known as Global Economy) normally takes 5 to 12 working days.