Commercial Shipping: Find the Cheapest, Best Value, & Fastest Couriers

Key points:

• Commercial shipping is the B2B transport of goods in bulk, often at discounted rates due to larger volumes
• Best Value Courier: USPS Ground Advantage provides a good balance between cost and speed at $8.02 for a 2LB package from NYC to LA within 2-5 business days
• Commercial Shipping Tools: Easyship offers up to 91% off shipping and tools for instant rate comparison and operations automation, helping retailers boost revenue and cut costs efficiently

In the competitive market of commercial shipping, businesses are continually seeking strategies to optimize their operations, reduce costs, and improve customer satisfaction. With a wide range of options ranging from USPS to international couriers, the challenge lies in selecting the right services that align with business goals and operational needs.

This guide will explore various aspects of commercial shipping, including cost strategies, service options, and the impact of these decisions on customer retention and business growth. Find out how to strengthen your balance sheet and increase operational efficiency with the best commercial shipping tools

Learn to reduce costs and streamline your established retail and shipping operations for better profitability and growth. Check out how Easyship can help your business hack commercial shipping:

What is Commercial Shipping? 

Commercial shipping is the transportation of goods in bulk for business purposes. Unlike residential shipping, which typically involves smaller packages delivered to individual consumers, commercial shipments are destined for business addresses, like warehouses, stores, or manufacturing facilities. 

These shipments tend to be larger quantities of goods, often sent from manufacturers or suppliers to retailers or distributors. Because of the higher volume of goods being transported, commercial shipping can benefit from economies of scale and negotiated rates with carriers, resulting in lower costs per unit compared to residential shipping.

How Does Commercial Shipping Work?

Commercial shipping works by moving large quantities of goods, typically between businesses. This can involve ships, airplanes, and trucks, depending on the distance, urgency, and type of cargo. Goods are often packed into standardized containers for efficient transportation.

The choice of shipping partner and the approach to shipping can significantly influence the overall success of a business. A well-structured commercial shipping process not only ensures products reach customers on time but also plays a crucial role in cost management and operational efficiency.

Key Considerations:

• Shipping Process: Understanding the end-to-end shipping process, from packaging to delivery, helps in identifying potential efficiencies or bottlenecks.
• Shipping Options: Businesses need to choose between standard services like ground shipping, priority mail, and expedited services like Priority Mail Express based on the delivery times and cost considerations.
• Volume Discounts: Leveraging bulk shipping discounts for large volumes can lead to significant savings, especially for businesses shipping thousands of orders monthly.

Commercial Shipping Cost

A critical aspect of commercial shipping is managing the costs effectively without compromising on quality or customer expectations. Calculating actual shipping costs involves several variables including package weight, delivery destination, and the chosen shipping service.

Strategies to Optimize Shipping Costs:

• USPS Commercial Pricing: Utilizing commercial pricing offered by USPS can provide substantial savings compared to regular shipping rates. Services like First Class Mail and Priority Mail come at discounted rates for commercial shippers.
• Additional Savings: Look for additional discounts through negotiated pricing structures with leading carriers or by optimizing the supply chain to reduce additional costs.
• Calculating Actual Shipping Costs: Accurate calculations ensure businesses are not overpaying. This includes accounting for the package weight, delivery location, and any unforeseen delays that could impact the cost.

Business Shipping

For businesses, particularly small businesses and those involved in direct-to-consumer sales, choosing the right shipping service is about more than just cost. It’s about establishing trust and improving efficiency to ensure that customers receive their orders on time and in good condition.

Effective Business Shipping Practices:

• Quality Control: Ensuring that goods are properly packaged and labeled can save time and reduce errors in the shipping process.
• Shipping Service Selection: Whether it’s USPS services, private carriers, or hybrid options, selecting the right service affects delivery times and customer satisfaction.
• Business Address vs. Residential Address: Shipping to a business address can often be more cost-effective than residential shipping due to volume discounts and the absence of additional residential surcharges.

Shipping Services

Selecting the right shipping services involves analyzing a mix of factors from delivery speeds to the reliability of the carrier.

Optimizing Service Selection:

• Priority Mail Express vs. Ground Shipping: While ground shipping is more cost-effective for non-urgent deliveries, Priority Mail Express offers faster delivery for urgent shipments.
• Tracking Information: Providing customers with reliable tracking information helps in establishing trust and reducing anxiety about delivery times.
• Commercial Shipper Accounts: Setting up commercial accounts with carriers like USPS can lead to cost savings and more efficient handling of regular shipping needs.

What are the Cheapest, Best, and Fastest Commercial Shipping Couriers?

While commercial shipping often benefits from lower rates due to bulk quantities, shipping tools like Easyship offer access to bulk shipping discounts instantly. This section explores commercial shipping costs, plus the cheapest, best value, and fastest options among top US domestic couriers like USPS, UPS, and FedEx.

If you are shipping across the US from New York City to Los Angeles you might be expecting expensive shipping costs and slow delivery times, however with the right tools this isn't necessarily the case.

To break down the cheapest shipping services available, in this example, we are going to ship a small package from New York to California. We will use the following dimensions and plug this into the Easyship Shipping Rate Calculator to compare prenegotiated rates from 250 plus couriers:

• Weight of package: 2lb
• Box Dimensions: 12in x 11in x 1.5in
• Category: Shipment of books
• Origin: New York City, New York
• Destination: Los Angeles, California

To help you analyze the cheapest international shipping options available, we have ranked each service for sending a package, based on the estimated shipping cost from over 250 couriers. While also focusing on the estimated number of business days it takes to arrive at the shipping address, plus the type and quality of tracking available.

Cheapest: USPS - Media

USPS - Media is the cheapest option for shipping from NYC to LA, with a total cost of only $4.87. This service offers a basic level of tracking and a delivery time window of 2 - 8 working days.

While it's the most affordable, the delivery time is relatively longer compared to other services, making it an ideal choice for non-urgent shipments that can benefit from significant cost savings. This service is perfect for shipping media-related materials such as books, DVDs, and educational supplies, where the cost is a more critical factor than speed.

Best Value: USPS - Ground Advantage

USPS - Ground Advantage stands out as the best value option, priced at $8.02. It offers a balanced combination of efficiency and cost-effectiveness, with a delivery time of 2 - 5 working days and basic tracking capabilities.

This option provides a reasonable speed without a significant increase in price, making it an excellent choice for retailers looking for a cost-effective solution that still ensures relatively quick delivery. 

This service strikes a good balance between cost and delivery time, making it the preferred choice for businesses that need a reliable and affordable shipping method without the premium price.

Fastest: UPS Next Day Air® Early

The UPS Next Day Air® Early is the fastest shipping option, with a delivery time of just 1 working day and a total cost of $79.76. This service offers excellent tracking and is the quickest way to send packages from NYC to LA. 

Although it is the most expensive option in the table, it's tailored for situations where time is of the essence and the goods need to be delivered the next morning. It is ideal for urgent documents, critical retail shipments, and last-minute orders that require immediate delivery.

The shipping rates displayed on the Easyship blog are for informational purposes only and may not be accurate at the time of shipping. Easyship does not warrant or guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or timeliness of any shipping rates displayed on the blog.

Shipping rates can vary depending on a number of factors, including the weight and size of the package, the shipping destination, and the shipping service that you choose. To get an accurate shipping rate, please use the Easyship Shipping Calculator.

If you have any questions about shipping rates, please contact Easyship customer support.

Print Shipping Labels

Efficiency in printing and managing shipping labels is key to streamlining the commercial shipping process. It can significantly impact the speed and accuracy of order fulfillment.

Label Management Strategies:

• Integration with Selling Platforms: Platforms like Shopify Plus and WooCommerce allow businesses to easily integrate label printing with order processing.
• Bulk Printing Options: For high-volume shippers, printing labels in bulk can reduce preparation time and help improve overall workflow efficiency.
• Address Verification: Automated address verification helps prevent delays and additional costs due to incorrect or incomplete delivery information.

Additional Commercial Shipment Tips

• Supply Chain Optimization: Enhancing the supply chain can lead to additional savings and more reliable shipping processes. This includes optimizing storage space and reducing handling times.
• Ecommerce Businesses: For ecommerce operations, shipping is part of the customer experience. Fast and reliable shipping options are crucial for maintaining high customer satisfaction and encouraging future orders.
• First Class vs. Priority Mail: While First Class Mail is an economical choice for smaller packages, Priority Mail offers faster delivery times for slightly higher costs but with added benefits like better tracking and insurance options.

Find the Cheapest, Best and Fastest Way to Send a Package with Easyship

In conclusion, optimizing commercial shipping is a multifaceted challenge that requires a strategic approach. By carefully selecting shipping services, managing costs effectively, and enhancing operational efficiencies, businesses can meet and exceed customer expectations, leading to increased sales, better customer retention, and improved profitability. 

Remember, the right shipping strategy is one that aligns with your business goals, operational capacities, and customer expectations. By staying informed and adaptable, businesses can navigate the complexities of commercial shipping to emerge more robust and customer-centric.

Easyship is the top shipping and logistics company working with a network of over 250 couriers worldwide. This has put us in a position to negotiate some of the best shipping discounts with leading couriers, and we can help you reduce your shipping expenses by up to 91%.

Some of our major discounts include the following:

• Save up to 65% on USPS First Class Package
• Save up to 89% on USPS Priority Mail
• Save up to 50% on UPS® Ground
• Save up to 76% on UPS Worldwide Saver®
• Save up to 91% on DHL eCommerce

We also offer a range of easy-to-use shipping tools, to help streamline your shipping experience and delight your buyers. Popular features include:

• Shipping Rate Calculator: You can use our shipping rate calculator to compare shipping rates from different carriers
• Comparison Tool: With our courier comparison tool, you can compare the different shipping services offered by each courier, allowing you to choose your cheapest way to ship based on other factors, not just the cost
• Insurance: To help keep your packages safe in transit, Easyship offers you insurance up to $10000
• Tracking: From custom-branded tracking emails to automatic message alerts, Easyship helps you maintain package visibility with your buyers throughout the delivery process

FAQ’s

What is considered a commercial shipment?

A commercial shipment involves the transport of goods for business purposes, typically involving larger quantities and destined for commercial establishments or businesses rather than individual consumers.

Is commercial shipping cheaper?

Yes, commercial shipping can be cheaper than retail shipping due to economies of scale, negotiated rates with carriers, and the higher volume of goods being transported, which reduces the cost per unit.

What is the difference between commercial and residential shipping?

Commercial shipping is destined for business addresses with facilities to handle large shipments and often benefits from lower rates due to volume discounts, while residential shipping delivers directly to consumers' homes and includes additional fees like residential surcharges.

What is commercial freight shipping?

Commercial freight shipping refers to the bulk transport of goods, typically using large vehicles like trucks, ships, or planes, and is designed for industries and businesses to move large quantities of products efficiently.

Is FedEx a commercial carrier?

Yes, FedEx is a commercial carrier, offering a wide range of services including parcel delivery and freight shipping, catering to both commercial and residential customers globally.