2025 Rate Comparison

Shipping Rate Comparison

Compare shipping rates across USPS, UPS, FedEx, and DHL. Find the cheapest carrier for your packages and learn how to save up to 89% on shipping costs.

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Detailed Rate Comparison

Sample rates for common package sizes shipping within the US (Zone 5, ~600-1,000 miles). Actual rates vary by origin, destination, and current carrier pricing.

Lightweight Package (1 lb)

Dimensions: 8" × 6" × 4"Weight: 1 lb (16 oz)Distance: Zone 5 (600-1,000 miles)

Carrier	Service	Rate	Transit
USPS	First-Class Package	$4.50	2-5 days	BEST VALUE
USPS	Ground Advantage	$5.25	2-5 days
USPS	Priority Mail	$8.70	1-3 days
FedEx	Ground	$10.85	3-4 days
UPS	Ground	$11.45	3-4 days
UPS	3 Day Select	$18.90	3 days
FedEx	Express Saver	$24.50	3 days
DHL	Express	$42.00	1-2 days

Medium Package (5 lbs)

Dimensions: 12" × 10" × 8"Weight: 5 lbsDistance: Zone 5 (600-1,000 miles)

Carrier	Service	Rate	Transit
USPS	Ground Advantage	$12.80	2-5 days	BEST VALUE
USPS	Priority Mail	$15.40	1-3 days
USPS	Flat Rate Medium	$17.10	1-3 days
FedEx	Ground	$17.90	3-4 days
UPS	Ground	$18.25	3-4 days
UPS	3 Day Select	$32.40	3 days
FedEx	Express Saver	$38.75	3 days
DHL	Express	$68.00	1-2 days

Heavy Package (20 lbs)

Dimensions: 18" × 14" × 12"Weight: 20 lbsDistance: Zone 5 (600-1,000 miles)

Carrier	Service	Rate	Transit
USPS	Ground Advantage	$28.50	2-5 days
UPS	Ground	$32.15	3-4 days	BEST VALUE
FedEx	Ground	$33.40	3-4 days
USPS	Priority Mail	$42.80	1-3 days
UPS	3 Day Select	$58.90	3 days
FedEx	Express Saver	$72.50	3 days
DHL	Express	$125.00	1-2 days

Overnight Delivery (2 lbs)

Dimensions: 10" × 8" × 4"Weight: 2 lbsDistance: Next business day delivery

Carrier	Service	Rate	Transit
USPS	Priority Mail Express	$28.75	1-2 days	BEST VALUE
FedEx	Standard Overnight	$46.25	1 days
UPS	Next Day Air Saver	$48.90	1 days
DHL	Express	$52.00	1 days
FedEx	Priority Overnight	$58.90	1 days
UPS	Next Day Air	$62.40	1 days

* Rates are illustrative examples from January 2025. Actual rates depend on your shipping volume, negotiated discounts, and current carrier pricing. Use our rate calculator for real-time quotes.

Carrier Feature Comparison

Feature					Winner
Cheapest for lightweight (<1 lb)					USPS
Cheapest for medium (1-10 lbs)					USPS
Cheapest for heavy (10+ lbs)					UPS/FedEx
Best overnight rates					USPS
Saturday delivery included					USPS/FedEx
Free package pickup					All
No residential surcharge					USPS
Best tracking accuracy					UPS/FedEx/DHL
International shipping					DHL
Flat rate options					USPS

When to Use Each Carrier

USPS

Best For

✓Lightweight packages under 1 lb
✓Small to medium packages (1-10 lbs)
✓Flat Rate shipping (predictable costs)
✓Residential deliveries (no surcharge)
✓Affordable overnight (Priority Express)

Avoid For

✗Heavy packages over 20 lbs
✗Large items needing freight
✗Time-critical B2B deliveries

UPS

Best For

✓Heavy packages (10+ lbs)
✓B2B/commercial deliveries
✓Guaranteed delivery times
✓High-value shipments (better insurance)
✓Frequent shipping (negotiated rates)

Avoid For

✗Lightweight residential packages
✗Budget-conscious e-commerce
✗Saturday-only deliveries

FedEx

Best For

✓Heavy/large packages
✓Time-critical shipments
✓Residential Saturday delivery
✓International express
✓Tech/electronics (specialized handling)

Avoid For

✗Sub-1 lb packages
✗Budget shipping
✗Rural destinations

DHL

Best For

✓International shipping
✓Express global delivery
✓Europe/Asia destinations
✓Document shipping
✓High-value international

Avoid For

✗Domestic US shipping
✗Budget-sensitive shipments
✗Lightweight packages

5 Ways to Save on Shipping

Use a Multi-Carrier Shipping Platform

Platforms like atoship provide pre-negotiated discounts (up to 89% off) and automatically compare rates across carriers for each shipment. You get commercial pricing without negotiating individual contracts.

Optimize Your Packaging

Use the smallest box that safely fits your product. Dimensional weight pricing means empty space costs money. For soft goods, use poly mailers instead of boxes. Consider custom packaging for frequently shipped items.

Choose the Right Carrier Per Shipment

Don't default to one carrier. USPS is usually cheapest for lightweight residential packages. UPS/FedEx are better for heavy packages. Compare rates for each shipment rather than using a single carrier for everything.

Use USPS Flat Rate When It Makes Sense

USPS Flat Rate boxes are excellent for heavy, dense items going long distances. A Medium Flat Rate box costs ~$17 whether you're shipping 5 lbs or 50 lbs. Calculate if flat rate beats zone-based pricing for your products.

Avoid Surcharges

UPS/FedEx charge $4-6 residential surcharges, delivery area surcharges for rural addresses, and extra fees for large packages. Know these surcharges and factor them in. USPS has fewer surcharges overall.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which carrier is cheapest for shipping?

It depends on package weight and destination. For lightweight packages under 1 lb, USPS First-Class is usually cheapest. For 1-10 lbs, USPS Ground Advantage or Priority Mail wins. For heavy packages over 10 lbs, UPS or FedEx Ground often have better rates. Always compare rates for your specific package.

Why are UPS and FedEx more expensive than USPS?

UPS and FedEx are private companies with higher operating costs and different service focuses. They charge residential delivery surcharges ($4-6 per package), which USPS doesn't. However, their tracking is more precise, they offer guaranteed delivery times, and they're often cheaper for heavy packages due to better DIM weight handling.

What is a residential surcharge?

UPS and FedEx charge an extra $4-6 per package for deliveries to residential addresses (vs. commercial addresses). USPS never charges this surcharge. For high-volume e-commerce shipping to homes, this surcharge significantly increases total costs with UPS/FedEx.

When should I use Flat Rate shipping?

USPS Flat Rate boxes are ideal when your package is heavy for its size. A USPS Medium Flat Rate box costs ~$17 regardless of weight (up to 70 lbs) or distance. If your items are dense (books, candles, tools), Flat Rate often beats zone-based pricing.

How can I get discounted shipping rates?

Options include: 1) Use a shipping platform like atoship for pre-negotiated discounts up to 89%, 2) Open a UPS/FedEx business account and negotiate based on volume, 3) Use USPS Commercial Pricing (available through most shipping software), 4) Consolidate orders to reduce per-package costs.

Is DHL good for domestic shipping?

DHL primarily focuses on international shipping and is typically not competitive for domestic US shipments. For US-to-US packages, USPS, UPS, and FedEx offer better rates and more service options. DHL excels at international express, especially to Europe and Asia.

What affects shipping costs the most?

The main factors are: 1) Distance (zones), 2) Weight (actual or DIM weight, whichever is higher), 3) Package size/dimensions, 4) Speed of delivery, 5) Destination type (residential vs. commercial), 6) Insurance/declared value, 7) Carrier surcharges. Optimizing packaging and choosing the right carrier for each shipment can significantly reduce costs.

Should I offer free shipping to customers?

Free shipping increases conversion rates (92% of shoppers expect it), but impacts margins. Strategies include: setting a minimum order threshold ($35+ for free shipping), building shipping into product prices, offering free shipping only for certain items, or using it for loyalty program members. Calculate your average shipping cost and test different approaches.

Save Up to 89% on Every Shipment

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