Standard Shipping Explained: Complete Ecommerce Guide in 2024

As a warehouse manager or small business owner, you often have to balance keeping costs down while ensuring your orders are delivered on time. Standard shipping often becomes the go-to choice because it offers a reliable and affordable way to handle deliveries that aren't urgent.

In this article, we'll go through what 'standard shipping' means, how it works, and how different shipping carriers provide this service—helping you better understand this topic.

Table of Contents

• What is Standard Shipping?
• What are the Main Benefits of Standard Shipping?
• What’s the Difference Between Standard Shipping to Express, Ground, and International Shipping
• How Do Standard Shipping Compare Between Carriers?
• FAQs
• Conclusion

What is Standard Shipping?

Standard shipping is a commonly used delivery method that balances affordability with reasonable delivery times. It's typically slower than expedited shipping but faster and often more reliable than economy shipping.

How It Works

The process starts with order processing and packing, followed by dispatch to the carrier. The items are then transported via ground methods, taking 3 to 7 business days to reach the destination within the country.

What are the Main Benefits of Standard Shipping?

Standard shipping offers an excellent balance of cost, accessibility, and convenience, suitable for a wide array of shipping needs. For a more in-depth understanding, please read through each point below:

Cost-Effectiveness

One of the primary advantages of standard shipping is its cost-effectiveness. It is generally the most affordable shipping option available, as it typically involves ground transport which is cheaper than air freight.

This makes it an attractive choice for both businesses and consumers looking to minimize shipping expenses without the urgency required by faster shipping methods.

Wide Accessibility

Standard shipping is widely accessible and can reach almost any location where ground transport is feasible. This broad accessibility ensures that products can be delivered to a vast range of destinations, making it an ideal choice for businesses with a wide customer base.

Flexibility in Packaging

Another significant benefit of standard shipping is the flexibility it offers in terms of packaging.

Unlike some specialized shipping services that might require specific types of packaging, standard shipping allows shippers to use any suitable packaging material that fits the product.

This flexibility can help reduce costs and is particularly beneficial for small businesses or individual sellers who may not have access to a wide variety of packaging options.

What’s the Difference Between Standard Shipping to Express, Ground, and International Shipping

Diving a bit deeper into standard shipping—it's often compared to express, ground, and international options. In this section, we'll discuss how standard shipping differs from those mentioned.

Standard vs Express Shipping

Standard shipping is a cost-effective delivery option that uses ground transportation to send items, usually within 3 to 7 business days.

It's ideal for non-urgent deliveries and is typically cheaper because it doesn’t prioritize speed. In contrast, express shipping focuses on speed and efficiency, delivering packages within 1 to 3 days, often using air transport.

Express shipping is suitable for urgent deliveries or time-sensitive items, as it offers faster delivery at a higher cost.

The key differences lie in the delivery speed and price, making express shipping more appealing for urgent needs while standard shipping is preferred for routine deliveries to save costs.

Standard vs Ground Shipping

Interestingly, standard and ground shipping often refer to the same service types within the domestic context, where parcels are transported via ground methods.

Both are economical options that generally ensure delivery within 3 to 5 business days. However, the term "standard shipping" might also encompass a broader range of services, including slower or more basic shipping options compared to specific "ground shipping" services offered by carriers like UPS or FedEx, which are defined by the use of road transportation without the speed of air travel.

Standard vs International Shipping

When comparing standard shipping to international shipping, the main difference is the geographic coverage and delivery time frames.

Standard international shipping is slower and less expensive, suitable for less urgent deliveries abroad, typically taking 1 to 3 weeks due to factors like customs clearance.

Expedited or express international shipping provides faster delivery, often within 1 to 6 business days, at a higher cost, catering to urgent international shipping needs.

Standard international shipping is preferred for cost savings on non-urgent items, whereas expedited options are chosen for critical international deliveries.

How Do Standard Shipping Compare Between Carriers?

Now that we know what standard shipping actually is, let's discuss how different shipping carriers offer this service to their customers.

USPS

USPS offers a variety of mail services, with USPS Ground Advantage® as a notable standard shipping option for domestic deliveries.

It provides an affordable and reliable way to send packages within the U.S., with delivery expected in 2–5 business days. This service includes tracking and up to $100 insurance, with the option to purchase additional coverage.

USPS is particularly known for its accessibility, reaching all 50 states, U.S. territories, military bases, and Freely Associated States. Prices for USPS Ground Advantage start at $5.00 when shipping from a Post Office location, and lower commercial rates are available when shipping online.

UPS

UPS offers UPS Ground as its standard shipping service, suitable for domestic shipments.

This service provides day-definite deliveries in 1-5 business days based on the destination. It is an affordable solution for non-urgent shipments and includes free tracking. UPS Ground covers all 50 states and Puerto Rico.

For businesses, UPS provides significant discounts and pricing options through volume shipping, making it a versatile choice for both personal and business shipping needs.

FedEx

FedEx Ground is the standard shipping option from FedEx, tailored for businesses and residential deliveries.

This service guarantees delivery within 1–5 business days within the continental U.S., and 3–7 days to Alaska and Hawaii, depending on the origin and destination of the package.

FedEx Ground offers competitive rates and detailed tracking capabilities, making it a reliable option for cost-effective, non-urgent deliveries.

DHL

DHL's standard shipping services are largely focused on international shipping, with DHL eCommerce as a prominent solution for standard domestic and international parcel delivery.

For domestic shipments, DHL eCommerce provides scheduled delivery within 3-8 business days to most U.S. addresses, and includes end-to-end shipment tracking.

This service is optimized for lightweight parcels and is highly regarded for its efficiency and cost-effectiveness in international shipping scenarios.

FAQs

How long does standard shipping take?

The delivery time for standard shipping varies by carrier and destination. Domestically, standard shipping typically takes anywhere from 2 to 8 business days. For example, USPS offers services like Priority Mail which generally delivers within 1-3 business days.

UPS Ground and FedEx Ground also provide similar delivery timeframes, typically ranging from 1-5 business days depending on the origin and destination of the package.

How much does standard shipping cost?

The cost of standard shipping is influenced by several factors including package weight, dimensions, and the distance between the shipping origin and destination.

For example, USPS offers competitive pricing for smaller packages with their First-Class Mail service, starting at a low cost for items under 13 ounces.

UPS and FedEx costs can be higher, especially for larger or heavier packages, but they often provide more comprehensive tracking and faster delivery within their standard services.

Costs can be estimated using online calculators provided by each carrier, which give a more tailored price based on the specifics of the shipment.

Are there environmental benefits to choosing standard shipping over express options?

Yes, standard shipping often has a lower carbon footprint compared to express shipping options, mainly because it uses ground transport rather than air freight. Choosing standard shipping can be part of a more environmentally responsible approach to logistics, especially for non-urgent goods.

What items are suitable for standard shipping?

Standard shipping is ideal for non-urgent, non-perishable goods such as clothing, books, and household items. It's less suitable for urgent deliveries, perishable goods, or high-value items that might require faster shipping methods or additional security.

Can standard shipping be insured?

Yes, standard shipping can be insured. Carriers usually provide a basic insurance level, but additional coverage can be purchased if the shipment’s value exceeds the provided limit. For example, USPS includes up to $100 of insurance with some standard shipping options, with the possibility to purchase more.

Conclusion

Standard shipping is a cost-effective delivery method, ideal for non-urgent shipments. It primarily uses ground transport and is favored for its balance between affordability and reliability.

Packiyo's Warehouse Management System (WMS) offers a potent solution for optimizing standard shipping. By integrating with major carriers, Packiyo ensures competitive shipping costs and streamlined operations, such as quick label printing and automated order processing. This integration helps businesses manage their shipping efficiently, addressing common challenges like cost reduction and improving delivery accuracy.

By utilizing Packiyo’s advanced tools for inventory and shipment management, businesses can enhance the efficiency of their standard shipping operations, making the process smoother and more cost-effective.

If you want to read more topics that are similar to this, then we highly suggest that you check out our blog where we've also covered topics like 'lot numbers' and 'backorders'.

In conclusion, we hope that we've helped you understand what 'standard shipping' is, and if you have any questions, just don't hesitate to comment them down below.