Which UPS shipping option should I choose?

Shipping for business is more than getting packages where they need to go. Finding the best UPS domestic and international shipping rates for your budget and timeframe keeps costs to a minimum without sacrificing business goals.

The ideal method might change from one package to the next. Knowing all your options makes it easier to manage shipments and adjust to new challenges or objectives. We’ll examine some of the most popular UPS shipping services, so your business always gets the service it needs without overpaying.

Table of contents

1. Which UPS shipping services offer overnight shipping in 1 business day?
2. Which UPS shipping services offer overnight shipping in 2 business days?
3. Which UPS shipping services offer overnight shipping in 3 or more business days?
4. How do I ship throughout North America using UPS?
5. What are my options for UPS international shipping deliveries?
6. How can I get the best rate on all UPS shipping options?

Which UPS shipping services offer overnight shipping in one business day?

Some packages just can’t wait. UPS has three choices for items that must arrive by the next day.

UPS Next Day Air^® Early

Need a package to get somewhere by tomorrow morning? UPS Next Day Air^® Early is the domestic shipping answer for urgent AM deliveries. It’s the fastest UPS Overnight shipping option, with time-definite arrival in the contiguous 48 states and Anchorage, AK.

• Packages to major U.S. cities arrive by 8:00 a.m., and 8:30, 9:00, or 9:30 a.m. in most other cities.
• Extended options that guarantee up to 2:00 p.m. arrival time.
• Time-definite delivery or your money back.
• Package size limits: Up to 150 lbs. and up to 108” long.
• Shipping supplies (packaging, forms, and labels) included free.
• Delivery to the 48 contiguous states and Anchorage, AK.
• Optional Saturday pickup and delivery available. Sundays not included.
• Online pickup scheduling.
• Free liability coverage up to $100.

UPS Next Day Air^®

This is a reliable overnight service for domestic shipments that must arrive by tomorrow. Time-definite packages are guaranteed for shipments to all 50 states and Puerto Rico.

• Packages arrive by 10:30 a.m., 12:00 p.m. or end of next business day depending on the final destination.
• Time-definite delivery or your money back.
• Package size limits: Up to 150 lbs. and up to 108” long.
• Shipping supplies (packaging, forms, and labels) included free.
• Ship to all 50 states and Puerto Rico. Some exceptions for deliveries to Alaska or Hawaii.
• Optional Saturday pickup and delivery available. Sundays not included.
• Online pickup scheduling and package tracking services
• Free liability coverage up to $100.

UPS Next Day Saver^®

This is the most affordable UPS shipping service for overnight deliveries. For packages on a less strict timetable, businesses can use Next Day Saver for guaranteed end of day delivery in the lower 48 contiguous states, plus some limited availability in Alaska and Hawaii.

• Commercial deliveries arrive the next day by 3:00 p.m. or 4:30 p.m., depending on whether UPS Next Day Air^® is committed to 10:30 a.m. or 12:00 p.m. deliveries in that area.
• Residential deliveries arrive the next day by end of day.
• Guaranteed or your money back.
• Package size limits: Up to 150 lbs. and up to 108” long.
• Shipping supplies (packaging, forms, and labels) included free.
• Ship to the contiguous 48 states. Limited deliveries to Alaska or Hawaii.
• Optional Saturday pickup available. Saturday delivery not included.
• No pickups or deliveries on Sundays.
• Online pickup scheduling.
• Free liability coverage up to $100.

Which UPS shipping services offer overnight shipping in two business days?

UPS’ 2-day overnight shipping options are similar. The only difference is whether you want to pay for a guaranteed A.M. arrival.

UPS 2nd Day Air^® A.M.

UPS 2nd Day Air^® A.M. is a popular choice for guaranteed morning arrival on the second business day. Deliveries can be sent in the 48 contiguous states, as well as limited addresses in Alaska and Hawaii. However, UPS 2nd Day Air^® is not available for residential deliveries.

• Deliveries arrive the second business day 10:30 AM or 12:00 PM depending on location.
• Guaranteed on-time delivery only available in areas where UPS Next Day Air^® is committed by 10:30 a.m. or 12:00 p.m.
• Commercial deliveries only, residential deliveries not included.
• Package size limits: Up to 150 lbs. and up to 108” long.
• Shipping supplies (packaging, forms, and labels) included free.
• Delivery to the contiguous 48 states. Limited deliveries to Alaska or Hawaii.
• Optional Saturday pickup available. Saturday delivery not included.
• No pickups or deliveries on Sundays.
• Online pickup scheduling and package tracking services.
• Free liability coverage up to $100.

UPS 2nd Day Air^®

For getting a package to a commercial destination in two business days, businesses can use UPS 2nd Day Air^® for guaranteed delivery. It’s more affordable than other overnight options and can deliver packages to any commercial location in the U.S. and Puerto Rico.

• Deliveries arrive the second business day.
• Commercial deliveries only, residential deliveries not included.
• Package size limits: Up to 150 lbs. and up to 108” long.
• Shipping supplies (packaging, forms, and labels) included free.
• Available in all 50 states and Puerto Rico.
• Potential additional transit time for deliveries to Alaska or Hawaii.
• Saturday pickup and delivery available. Sundays not included.
• Online pickup scheduling and package tracking services.
• Free liability coverage up to $100.

Which UPS shipping services offer overnight shipping in three or more business days?

Expedited shipping can be costly. When you have time to spare, UPS has options for overnight shipping that taps into a reliable network at more affordable rates.

UPS 3-Day Select^®

When your package doesn’t need to be sent in a rush, UPS 3 Day Select^® is a reliable, economic service for commercial and residential deliveries. Businesses can send packages anywhere in the 48 contiguous states with confidence that it will arrive by the third business day.

• Deliveries arrive the third business day.
• Package size limits: Up to 150 lbs. and up to 108” long.
• Available in all the 48 contiguous states.
• Saturday pickup and delivery available in select areas. Sundays not included.
• Online pickup scheduling and package tracking services.
• Free liability coverage up to $100.

UPS^® Ground

UPS^® Ground shipping is a cost-effective domestic shipping option that makes deliveries in one to five business days. With day-definite arrivals six days a week, businesses and eCommerce retailers can pinpoint arrival times for packages sent to all 50 states and Puerto Rico. It’s an economical choice for dependable arrivals.

• Deliveries arrive in 1 to 5 business days depending on origin and destination.
• Package size limits: Up to 150 lbs. and up to 108” long.
• Available in all 50 states and Puerto Rico.
• Saturday pickup and delivery available in select locations.
• Sunday residential deliveries available through UPS SurePost in some locations. Read our blog for details on choosing between UPS Ground and SurePost.
• Online pickup scheduling.
• Free liability coverage up to $100.

How do I ship throughout North America using UPS?

There are a number of options for UPS shipping in North America. Get your packages across borders and into the hands of your international recipients with ease.

UPS^® Standard to Canada

Sending something to our neighbors up north? UPS international shipping has multiple air hubs and supply chain solutions facilities that will give your business convenient access to all of Canada. UPS^® Standard can send packages across the border with guaranteed delivery to all provinces in two to seven business days. It’s an economic option when speed is not top priority. Rates include door-to-door delivery, and customs brokerage services are available for an additional charge.

• Guaranteed end of day deliveries in two to seven business days.
• Customs clearance not included, but services available via UPS Supply Chain Solutions.
• Door-to-door delivery available in all Canadian provinces.
• Online pickup scheduling.
• Three delivery attempts per package.
• Freight options available.
• Free liability coverage up to $100.

UPS^® Standard to Mexico

When you’re sending packages south of the border, UPS^® Standard to Mexico provides ample international shipping options across the country. A network of hundreds of locations and vehicles serving multiple airports will get your UPS international shipment where it needs to go in four to eight business days. Rates include in-house customs clearance from UPS Supply Chain Solutions.

• Guaranteed end of day deliveries in four to eight business days.
• Customs clearance included in shipment rate.
• Delivery network across all of Mexico.
• Online pickup scheduling and package tracking services.
• Three delivery attempts per package.
• Freight options available.
• Free liability coverage up to $100.

What are my options for UPS international shipping deliveries?

UPS has a worldwide reach that can connect you with international clients no matter where they live. There’s 4 key options for shipping internationally depending on when and where your items need to arrive.

UPS Worldwide Express^®

UPS Worldwide Express^® is one of your faster options for UPS international shipping. Packages arrive as early as 10:30 a.m., 12:00 p.m., or 2:00 p.m., with guaranteed next business day arrivals for packages sent from Canada and Mexico. For packages sent from Asia, Europe, or Latin America, deliveries are guaranteed in one to two business days.

• Guaranteed door-to-door delivery in one to three business days.
  • Next day delivery to Canada and for documents to Mexico.
  • Two-day delivery to Europe and Latin America.
  • Two- to three-day delivery to Asia.
• Ship to more than 140 countries.
• Time-definite delivery or your money back.
• Customs clearance via UPS Supply Chain Solutions included in shipment rate.
• Online pickup scheduling and package tracking services.
• Three delivery attempts per package.
• Freight options available.
• Free liability coverage up to $100.

UPS Worldwide Saver^®

You can make reliable international deliveries at a more affordable rate with UPS Worldwide Saver^®. Guaranteed end of day delivery to more than 220 countries and territories will get your packages where they need to go in one to three business days.

• Guaranteed door-to-door delivery in one to three business days.
  • Next day delivery to Canada and for documents to Mexico.
  • Two-day delivery to Europe and Latin America.
  • Two- to three-day delivery to Asia.
• Time-definite delivery or your money back.
• Customs clearance via UPS Supply Chain Solutions included in shipment rate.
• Online pickup scheduling and package tracking services.
• Three delivery attempts per package.
• Freight options available.
• Free liability coverage up to $100.

UPS Worldwide Expedited^®

When you’re shipping internationally and want a reliable, cost-effective delivery, Worldwide Expedited guarantees end of day arrival in two to five business days. Businesses can ship customs-cleared, day-definite deliveries to more than 220 countries and territories.

• Guaranteed door-to-door delivery in two to five business days.
  • Two-day delivery to Canada.
  • Three-day delivery from Mexico.
  • Three- to four-day delivery to Europe.
  • Four- to five-day delivery to Asia and Latin America.
• Customs clearance via UPS Supply Chain Solutions included in shipment rate.
• Online pickup scheduling and package tracking services.
• Three delivery attempts per package.
• Freight options available.
• Free liability coverage up to $100.

UPS Worldwide Express Plus^®

UPS Worldwide Express Plus^® gives your international shipping deliveries a boost with arrivals in one to three business days, as early as 8:30, 9:00, or 11:00 a.m. in certain locations. Money-back guaranteed morning delivery is limited to packages sent to the top 20 countries by gross domestic product (GDP), but door-to-door service is available for packages sent to 63 countries and territories.

• Guaranteed door-to-door delivery in one to three business days.
  • Next day delivery to Canada.
  • Two-day delivery to Europe and Latin America.
  • Two- to three-day delivery to Asia.
• Time-definite delivery or your money back (morning delivery only guaranteed for packages sent to top 20 countries by GDP).
• Customs clearance via UPS Supply Chain Solutions included in shipment rate.
• Online pickup scheduling.
• Three delivery attempts per package.
• Freight options available.
• Free liability coverage up to $100.

How can I get the best rate on all UPS shipping options?

We know your business is going places. Make sure shipping challenges never stand in your way. Finding low UPS rates creates savings that you can reinvest in your business and pass on to customers.

Pitney Bowes shipping solutions give you access to exclusive savings from UPS. Creating a PitneyShip^® UPS account makes shipping easy and includes features to:

• Lower shipping costs. Save up to 77% off on UPS^® Ground shipments and up to 88% off UPS shipping labels with no monthly volume requirements.
• Eliminate surcharges. Stop paying for common surcharges including Fuel, Residential Delivery and Saturday Delivery for Ground shipments. Plus, avoid UPS peak surcharges during the holiday season.
• Find your best rate. Besides instant access to UPS discounts , signing up for PitneyShip Multi Carrier allows you to easily compare rates across carriers.
• Track your packages. Get tracking information for every package sent through PitneyShip Pro in your history.

Get PitneyShip^® or PitneyShip^® Pro software to compare carrier prices, access discounts, access tracking information, and manage all of your shipping logistics in one place. Both programs connect your eCommerce business to competitive rates and help you pick the most affordable shipping options.