What is Economy Shipping? Should You Use It?

Shipping is the lifeblood of an online business. That’s why finding an affordable, cost-effective shipping solution is essential to widening profit margins.

Though shipping services vary by courier, you can choose from expedited shipping, standard shipping, and economy services. Economy shipping and standard shipping services are excellent for packages that aren’t time-sensitive. Alternatively, expedited shipping will deliver your package in the quickest amount of time.

Depending on your customers' delivery expectations and how much you are willing to pay, each shipping option has its advantages. Easyship saves users up to 91% discounted shipping rates on 250+ couriers. Plus, our free shipping rates calculator will calculate the best rates available so you can keep customers happy.

In this blog, you’ll learn all the ins and outs of economy shipping and whether or not this shipping service is fit for your eCommerce business.

What is Economy Shipping?

Economy shipping is the cheapest way to mail a package. Plus, this service is offered by most major couriers, provides an excellent delivery solution, and keeps shipping costs down一especially for less time-sensitive packages.

Since shipping costs determine delivery speeds, economy services take a little longer than expedited and standard shipping because of the lower costs.

How Long Do Economy Services Take?

There is no one-size-fits-all time frame when it comes to economy services. When it comes to economic shipping, the lead time depends on the following factors:

• Courier company
• Shipping zone or state (or country)

Delivery time will be longer for a package traveling across the country to the furthest shipping zones, but quicker for a package shipped within the same state. For instance, it takes roughly 1-5 business days to ship a package via economy services within the United States.

Delivery timeframes will also be longer when sending a package internationally through economy services, with the average delivery period being 6-15 days to most major destinations.

Use a shipping rate calculator to determine and compare transit times and costs from various couriers. Fortunately, Easyship offers a free shipping rates calculator for users. You’ll save up to 91% off discounted shipping rates for 250+ couriers.

Now, you can choose a shipping service that meets your needs, while saving money with Easyship.

How Long Do Economy Services Take From the United States?

Say you want to ship a 3-pound package from New York to Houston. We’ll use our free shipping rate calculator so we can get the best rates available. As we can see, it costs $8.87 to ship with USPS Priority Mail. Alternatively, UPS Next Day costs $43.79 一 a considerably higher price as compared to USPS Priority Mail.

Users can also opt for UPS Ground, which costs $11.67 and a delivery lead time of 2-3 business days.

How Long Do Economy Services Take From the US to China?

Now, let’s say you want to ship the same 3-pound package but from NY to China. Here, we see that it costs $31.05 to ship a 3-pound package with DHL eCommerce - Packet Priority. Though it takes 10-17 business days to deliver, this is a great shipping option for those who aren’t in a time crunch.

Alternatively, SF Express - Economy Express costs $35.20 and takes 10-12 business days to deliver. Not what you’re looking for? Contact our shipping experts to create a shipping experience you and your customers will love.

Does USPS, FedEx, UPS, and DHL offer Economy Services?

You can rest assured that all major courier companies offer economy services. Within the US, economic delivery services are offered via ground shipping and are excellent for large and heavy items.

Not sure what shipping service to use? Here are the different economy delivery services offered by the three major couriers within the US.

USPS Economy: Priority Domestic

USPS economy shipping is offered through the USPS Priority domestic. It is suitable for mailing packages under 70 pounds within the US.

• Delivery time: 1-3 business days
• Starting cost: $7.70
• Economy shipping tracking details: Includes USPS tracking services

Manage all your USPS shipments with Easyship. All users receive all the same benefits of USPS. That way you can still use all the shipping services you already love. Plus, you’ll save up to 91% discounted USPS shipping rates.

FedEx Economy: FedEx Ground

FedEx economy shipping service is offered via FedEx ground and is a cost-effective way to ship for small businesses. As long as your item is under 70 pounds, you’ll be shipping in no time.

• Delivery time: 2-7 business days
• Starting cost: $9.25 (for a 3-pound package)
• Economy shipping tracking details: Included FedEx tracking

Manage your FedEx shipping activity with Easyship. Our shipping automation and label generator are some of the few ways you can save time and money with us. Plus, you’ll always save money with Easyship’s pre-negotiated discounted rates.

UPS Economy: UPS Ground

UPS economy shipping is offered via UPS Ground and is an excellent choice for small businesses. Make sure your package is no larger than 150 pounds before your start shipping.

• Delivery time: 1-5 business days
• Starting cost: $19.02 (for a 3-pound package from NY to Miami)
• Economy shipping tracking details: Includes UPS tracking

Immediately access up to 74% discounted UPS rates when you sign up for Easyship. Continue to access all the UPS benefits you love, at a discounted rate.

DHL Economy: DHL Economy Select

DHL economy shipping is offered via DHL Economy Select. As long as your package is not larger than 150 pounds, you can start shipping right away.

• Delivery time: 2-5 business days
• Starting cost: N/A
• Economy shipping tracking details: Includes DHL tracking

Save time and money by connecting your DHL account to Easyship. Our all-in-one dashboard lets you compare rates to other major couriers. Plus, our shipping automation tools, label generator, and rates calculation are some of the many benefits of our leading shipping platform.

How Does Economy Shipping Compare to Other Services?

Economy shipping is a great option if you’re not on a time crunch. Plus, it can be a cost-effective shipping option for small businesses. Though it’s an affordable option, let’s see how it compares to other shipping services.

Economy vs. Standard Shipping

Though standard shipping is faster than economy services, there isn't a big difference between the two services for domestic shipping. Economy and standard shipping both offer tracking services and a delivery lead time of 3-5 business days to most US states.

The main difference between economy services and standard shipping is seen in the case of international shipping. When shipping overseas, economy shipping takes longer than higher-priced services.

Economy vs. Ground Shipping

When it comes to economy vs. ground shipping, there aren’t many differences. Ground shipping refers to a package shipped via land transportation (i.e. trains and trucks). On the other hand, economy services refer to the cheapest available shipping rates via trains and trucks.

The main difference between the two is economy services refers to the cheapest available rates, though prices are similar between economy vs. ground shipping.

Economy vs. Express Shipping

Economy and express shipping are polar opposites. Express shipping costs more and offers a faster delivery service, plus other benefits. On the other hand, economy services offer the cheapest available rates.

If you’re looking for fast shipping, express is your best choice. Otherwise, economy services remain an affordable and cost-effective way to ship items.

Shipping Internationally with Economy Services

International shipping rates can get pricey quickly for eCommerce businesses sending packages to their buyers overseas. Luckily, the different shipping couriers offer different economic services for mailing international packages.

The key to finding the cheapest economy delivery services is to use a shipping rates calculator to compare international shipping rates and choose a service that is ideal for your eCommerce business.

Here are the different economy services offered by the major couriers for international shipment:

• DHL eCommerce: You can use this service to send packages internationally to more than 200 countries from the US. Delivery times range from 7-12 business days
• FedEx International Economy: With this FedEx economy service, you can send packages to more than 215 countries in 2-5 business days
• UPS Worldwide Economy: You can use this service to mail packages to more than 210 countries with competitive delivery times
• USPS Priority Mail International: You can use this service to ship to more than 190 countries within 6-10 business days

Economy Shipping Tracking: Explained

Economy services come with package tracking services. However, the tracking system is not as elaborate or detailed as for expedited or standard shipping.

Tracking services are limited to scanning the package when it is collected, received, and sorted. And of course, when it’s scanned upon delivery. Economy services also cater to packages in bulk to lower the shipping cost.

How Easyship Can Help

There are various economy services for both domestic and international shipping that can satisfy small or big businesses.

Easyship gives you a suite of shipping tools including a courier comparison tool and a shipping rates calculator to help you compare and determine the best courier services and shipping rates for economy shipping.

With us, you can access discounted shipping rates up to 91%, and stay ahead of the curve in both domestic and international shipping.

Sign up for a free Easyship account today to get started!

Economy Services FAQ

What is economy shipping?

Economy shipping is the cheapest and most affordable way to ship a package. This is a great option if your package isn’t time-sensitive.

If you found this article informative, you may enjoy the following:

• How to Ship on eBay for Cheap
• What is Standard Shipping? The Full eCommerce Guide
• Shipping to China: What You Need to Know