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Carrier Guides
USPS Flat Rate vs. UPS Flat Rate: Which Should You Choose?
Compare USPS and UPS flat rate shipping boxes, prices and rates with our comprehensive guide. Find the best option for your eCommerce business!
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Flat rate shipping offers a number of advantages for online merchants. Both USPS flat rate and UPS flat rate shipping are great options to consider, but which is best for your business?
In order to choose which is best for your company, it’s important to compare both shipping solutions carefully. Here’s a look at just that, including their pricing structure, best markets, and other key details!
What is Flat Rate Shipping?
Flat rate shipping refers to a shipping service that uses uniform pricing to ship products.
With flat-rate, there’s no need to weigh packages before the shipping cost is calculated, as long as the package weighs exactly at or below a given weight or size limit. Many online merchants find this particular shipping service very useful, given that it’s easy to understand and saves considerable time and money.
Why Use Flat Rate Shipping?
As an online business owner, you’ll always be on the lookout for shipping options that give you a competitive edge. Just a few reasons to consider USPS flat rate shipping or UPS flat rate shipping include:
- Eliminates Weighing Packages: As long as your package weighs 70 lbs. or below for both UPS and USPS’ flat rate options, there’s no need to weigh it and calculate shipping costs. The product will always be shipped based on a flat rate, just as long as it doesn’t exceed the weight and size restrictions.
- Generates Significant Financial Savings: For small businesses, flat rate shipping costs mean having a predictable cost of shipping. Flat rate options go a long way towards saving money as you’ll generally be spending less to move out parcels that weigh less than 70 lbs.
- Easy Drop Off: There’s little stress involved in having your flat rate packages shipped off to your customers. All that’s required of you is to get the package ready and drop it off at any of the designated USPS post offices or UPS Store®!
- Predetermined and Predictable Costs: Although you can get accurate results using shipping calculators, just about every online merchant has a story where their predicted shipping costs didn’t match expectations! This is what makes flat rates different and, in many cases, a great option – the costs are always static with no surprises.
Other reasons why you should opt for flat rate shipping include delivery to more addresses and few to no surcharges.
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USPS Flat Rate vs. UPS Flat Rate
Okay, let’s take a deeper dive into both USPS flat rate and UPS flat rate shipping! Using the Easyship courier comparison tool, we can gain valuable insight into the details of each shipping solution. Here’s a closer look at how exactly they stack up against each other.
USPS Flat Rate Shipping
USPS flat rate shipping is a very popular shipping option for many SMBs. A look at its details reveals just how it may be of use for online retailers.
Pricing
The prices for this shipping solution are determined by the size and weight of the package. For example, flat rate envelopes start at $6.95, small flat rate boxes at $7.50, medium flat rate boxes at $12.80, and large flat rate boxes at $17.60.
Overall, USPS flat rate shipping is among the most affordable options available for shipping!
Insurance
Currently, no shipping insurance is offered with USPS flat rate shipping.
Best Market
This shipping option is typically best for domestic shipments within the United States.
Pricing Calculation
USPS flat rate shipping prices are calculated by volumetric weight.
Delivery
This service offers scheduled delivery to target destinations within one to three days.
Maximum Volumes
The maximum volume for this shipping solution is 70 lbs.
Import Tax Handling
With USPS flat rate shipping, only receivers can pay import taxes.
UPS Flat Rate Shipping
Now, let’s take a closer look at UPS flat rate shipping!
Pricing
While affordable, UPS flat rate shipping pricing is generally more expensive than USPS flat rate shipping.
Related post: Complete Guide to UPS Shipping Rates for 2022
Insurance
Shipping insurance of up to $100 is currently available for UPS flat rate shipping.
Best Market
This shipping option is generally best for cross-border shipments being sent out internationally.
Pricing Calculation
Price is calculated by volumetric weight
Delivery
Like USPS flat rate shipping, this service offers scheduled delivery to target destinations within one to three days.
Maximum Volumes
The maximum volume limit is currently 70 lbs.
Import Tax Handling
A crucial difference between the two shipping options is that both senders and receivers can pay import taxes with UPS flat rate shipping.
USPS Flat Rate vs. UPS Flat Rate: Choose What’s Best for You
Flat rate shipping prices can help save your business money and give it a competitive edge!
However, knowing when to use USPS flat rate or UPS flat rate shipping is crucial. If you’re sending lower-cost products domestically within the U.S., USPS flat rate shipping is probably the way to go. If you’re shipping items cross-border, especially larger and more expensive ones, UPS flat rate shipping is generally best.
Fortunately, Easyship partners with both USPS and UPS among other major global couriers, giving online merchants access to 250+ shipping solutions with discounted rates of up to 91 percent.
Sign up for your Easyship account today to see which shipping option works best for your company!
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