What Are Hybrid Shipping Services?
Hybrid services like UPS SurePost and FedEx SmartPost (now FedEx Ground Economy) combine private carrier pickup and linehaul with USPS last-mile delivery. The result: lower costs with slightly longer transit times.
Service Overview
| Feature | UPS SurePost | FedEx Ground Economy |
|---|
| Previous Name | UPS SurePost | FedEx SmartPost |
| Pickup | UPS | FedEx |
| Linehaul | UPS | FedEx |
| Last Mile | USPS | USPS |
| Weight Limit | 70 lbs | 70 lbs |
| Size Limit | 130" L+G | 130" L+G |
Rate Comparison
Zone 4 (Regional)
| Weight | UPS Ground | UPS SurePost | FedEx Ground | FedEx Economy | Atoship Best |
|---|
| 1 lb | $11.20 | $7.85 | $11.50 | $8.20 | $5.45 |
| 2 lbs | $12.80 | $8.95 | $13.20 | $9.40 | $6.25 |
| 5 lbs | $16.50 | $12.20 | $17.00 | $12.80 | $8.45 |
| 10 lbs | $22.80 | $17.50 | $23.50 | $18.20 | $12.20 |
| 20 lbs | $32.40 | $26.80 | $33.20 | $27.50 | $18.85 |
Zone 8 (Cross-Country)
| Weight | UPS Ground | UPS SurePost | FedEx Ground | FedEx Economy | Atoship Best |
|---|
| 1 lb | $15.80 | $10.20 | $16.20 | $10.80 | $7.15 |
| 5 lbs | $28.50 | $18.80 | $29.20 | $19.50 | $13.20 |
| 10 lbs | $42.80 | $28.50 | $44.20 | $29.40 | $20.15 |
| 20 lbs | $62.50 | $42.80 | $64.80 | $44.20 | $30.25 |
: 25-35% vs standard ground services
Transit Time Comparison
| Distance | UPS Ground | UPS SurePost | FedEx Ground | FedEx Economy |
|---|
| Zone 1-2 | 1-2 days | 2-4 days | 1-2 days | 2-4 days |
| Zone 3-4 | 2-4 days | 4-6 days | 2-4 days | 4-6 days |
| Zone 5-6 | 4-6 days | 6-8 days | 4-6 days | 6-8 days |
| Zone 7-8 | 5-7 days | 7-10 days | 5-7 days | 7-10 days |
: Save 25-35% but add 2-3 days transit time
Tracking Experience
UPS SurePost Tracking
UPS tracking for pickup and linehaul
Handoff to USPS (tracking may lag 12-24 hours)
USPS tracking for final delivery
Customers may see two tracking numbersFedEx Ground Economy Tracking
FedEx tracking for pickup and linehaul
Handoff to USPS (similar lag)
USPS tracking for final delivery
More seamless tracking integrationCustomer experience tip: Set expectations for 2-tracking-system experience
When to Use Hybrid Services
Best Use Cases
| Scenario | Recommendation | Reason |
|---|
| Non-urgent orders | Use hybrid | 25-35% savings worth delay |
| Heavy items (10+ lbs) | Use hybrid | Savings more significant |
| Low-margin products | Use hybrid | Protect margins |
| Subscription boxes | Use hybrid | Recurring savings add up |
| B2C residential | Use hybrid | No residential surcharge |
When to Avoid Hybrid
| Scenario | Recommendation | Reason |
|---|
| Prime-like expectations | Use regular ground | Customer satisfaction |
| Time-sensitive products | Use regular ground | Faster transit |
| Perishables | Use regular ground | Less handoff risk |
| High-value items | Use regular ground | Better tracking |
| Customer requested speed | Use regular ground | Meet expectations |
UPS SurePost Details
Requirements
- UPS account required
- Minimum volume negotiable
- Residential addresses only (commercial redirects to Ground)
Delivery Attempt Handling
- UPS may divert to Ground if profitable
- USPS handles final delivery attempts
- No guaranteed delivery date
Dimensional Pricing
- DIM divisor: 139
- Same as UPS Ground
- Large/light packages affected
FedEx Ground Economy Details
Requirements
- FedEx account required
- Available to all volume levels
- Residential only (commercial redirects)
Delivery Attempt Handling
- FedEx processes through regional hubs
- USPS handles final delivery
- Typically more consistent than SurePost
Recent Changes
- Rebranded from SmartPost (2020)
- Service improvements since rebrand
- Better tracking integration
Common Issues and Solutions
Package Lost During Handoff
| Issue | Solution |
|---|
| Lost between carriers | File claim with originating carrier (UPS/FedEx) |
| Tracking stops updating | Wait 24-48 hours, then contact carrier |
| Never received by USPS | UPS/FedEx responsible for resolution |
Delivery Delays
| Issue | Solution |
|---|
| Package sitting at hub | Normal - hybrid takes longer |
| "Out for delivery" stuck | USPS issue - contact local PO |
| Week+ delay | Escalate with originating carrier |
Alternatives to Consider
USPS Ground Advantage
| Comparison | USPS Ground | Hybrid Services |
|---|
| Cost (1 lb, Zone 4) | $5.85 | $7.85-$8.20 |
| Transit time | 2-5 days | 4-8 days |
| Tracking | Single carrier | Two carriers |
| Residential surcharge | None | None |
: USPS Ground Advantage often beats hybrid services on both cost AND speed
Regional Carriers
For high-volume shippers in specific regions:
- OnTrac, LSO, Spee-Dee often cheaper than hybrid
- Faster transit than hybrid
- Limited geographic coverage
Volume-Based Recommendations
Low Volume (< 50/month)
Recommendation: Skip hybrid, use USPS Ground Advantage via Atoship
- Better rates than hybrid through Atoship
- Faster delivery
- Simpler tracking
Medium Volume (50-500/month)
Recommendation: Test hybrid for non-urgent shipments
- Use hybrid for 10+ lb packages
- Use USPS for lightweight items
- Monitor customer satisfaction
High Volume (500+/month)
Recommendation: Negotiate hybrid rates, use strategically
- Get custom SurePost/Economy pricing
- Use for price-sensitive customers
- Offer "economy" vs "standard" shipping options
Atoship automatically compares:
- USPS Ground Advantage
- UPS Ground and SurePost
- FedEx Ground and Ground Economy
- Regional carriers (where available)
Result: Best rate selected for each shipment, no manual comparison needed.
Start Saving with Smart Carrier Selection
Create your Atoship account for automatic rate shopping across all services.
Ready to save on shipping?
Get started with Atoship for free and access discounted USPS, UPS, and FedEx rates. No monthly fees, no contracts.
Create Free Account
