Americans ship millions of packages through the mail every day.
But there are several different shipping options to choose from, and each one has a different price and speed. So how are you supposed to tell them all apart?
We’ve put together this guide to break down the ins and outs of expedited shipping. Asking yourself, “How fast is expedited shipping?”
Make sure you keep reading below to learn more.
What is Expedited Shipping?
Expedited shipping is a delivery method that’s faster than the standard shipment process.
If you choose expedited shipping when you check out online, your package will be placed on a truck that makes little to no stops before it reaches your home.
While this is a helpful shipping option, there are a few things you should know about expedited shipping before you pay for it. Here’s a quick look at three important questions about expedited shipping.
How Fast is Expedited Shipping?
Expedited shipping doesn’t have a set speed, like overnight or next day shipping.
Instead, expedited shipping is simply “faster than standard shipping.”
The exact amount of time expedited shipping will take depends on the company. However, standard shipping often takes between 5 to 10 business days. So expedited shipping might get your package to you in 4 days instead.
Most expedited shipping takes between 2 to 3 days. This makes it slightly faster than the standard delivery.
How Much Does It Cost?
It’s important to know expedited shipping is more expensive than standard shipping options.
And we aren’t just talking about a few bucks. Expedited shipping can be $10 or even $20 higher than the normal cost of shipping.
But again, it depends on the company. Some companies charge a lot more for expedited shipping than others.
Can You Track It?
Most companies give you the option to track your package with expedited shipping. This means you can see exactly where it is every step of the delivery process.
Tracking your package is a helpful feature.
It keeps you updated on the progress, and it gives you peace of mind that your package is where it’s supposed to be. You should always track your package if you have the option.
Expedited Shipping isn’t the Same as Express Shipping
Don’t confuse expedited shipping with express shipping. Though they sound similar, they are two very different things.
Express shipping is faster than expedited shipping, and because of this, it’s a lot more expensive. For example, Amazon lists its express shipping as next-day delivery.
Pay careful attention to these two options when you’re shopping online. Each company defines expedited shipping and express shipping in different ways.
You don’t want to pick the wrong one by mistake and spend more on shipping than you intended.
Is Expedited Shipping Worth It?
It depends.
There’s no one-size-fits-all answer to this question.
If you’re a casual online shopper who’s not in a rush for the items to show up on their doorstep, expedited shipping probably isn’t worth the extra cost. But there are many times paying the extra money is well worth it—even necessary.
It all comes down to your specific needs and circumstances.
Times Expedited Shipping Comes in Handy
There are several times paying extra for expedited comes in handy. If you are shipping one of these items, it’s always a good idea to choose expedited shipping—even if you aren’t in a hurry.
Perishable Food
Perishable food has to stay below a certain temperature. Otherwise, it will spoil before it reaches its final destination.
You should always send perishable food through the mail with expedited shipping. It doesn’t matter how many cold packs you use. You don’t want to risk the food gong bad.
This is even more important if you’re shipping frozen items, such as meat. This food could make someone very sick if it spoils, so always choose the fastest shipping you can.
Fragile Items
The mail is generally a safe and secure place for your packages. However, it comes with its fair share of bumps and bangs.
This puts fragile items at risk of breaking. The longer the stay in the mail, the higher their chance of getting damaged.
If you’re sending something fragile through the mail, you should use expedited shipping. This will protect it from getting any damage.
Expensive Items
Shipping companies don’t lose packages very often. However, if you’re sending a valuable or expensive item through the mail, you to make its trip as short as possible.
Expedited shipping can cut your packages time in the mail by half. This will lower the risk of anything happening before it reaches its final destination.
You Have a Time Limit
Of course, if you need your package to arrive before a specific time limit, you should choose expedited shipping. This will ensure you get it on time, whereas standard shipping might take too long.
Understanding the Ins and Outs of Expedited Shipping
So how fast is expedited shipping?
This type of shipping usually takes between 2 to 3 days, but the only real answer to this question is that it’s faster than standard shipping.
The question you have to ask yourself is if expedited shipping is worth the extra cost. Many times, spending a bit of extra money is worth the speed and guarantee that your package will arrive on time.
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