Whether you’re an individual sending a single package or a business managing regular shipments, choosing the right parcel courier is vital for ensuring timely and secure delivery of your items.
In this guide, we explore the top parcel courier services in the US, covering:
- Key features & benefits,
- US delivery times and costs,
- A comprehensive comparison of services,
- Insights into each courier’s strengths,
And more to help you select the best delivery solutions for your needs.
USPS
USPS, or the United States Postal Service, is a leading courier service providing a wide range of mailing and shipping solutions. Known for its extensive network and reliable delivery, USPS offers various services tailored to meet the needs of both individual and business customers.
Ecommerce Solutions
- Discounted Rates: USPS Connect eCommerce provides special pricing for platforms, marketplaces, and merchants, allowing businesses to benefit from lower shipping costs without minimum volume requirements.
- Free Shipping Supplies: Merchants can access free packaging options, including Flat Rate products and shipping labels.
- Enhanced Click-N-Ship®: Businesses can print multiple shipping labels at once, manage shipments more efficiently, and save on shipping with lower commercial rates.
- No Additional Charges: No fuel surcharges, residential delivery surcharges, or additional charges for address correction, forwarding, or returning undeliverable items.
- Package Pickup: Free Package Pickup service is available, along with free Saturday delivery for added convenience.
- Global Shipping Solutions: USPS Global Shipping Software simplifies international shipping, allowing businesses to pay for postage, create mailing labels, and manage customs forms.
FedEx US
FedEx is a global leader in courier and logistics services, providing comprehensive solutions for businesses of all sizes. Known for its reliability and extensive network, FedEx offers a range of services that cater to the specific needs of e-commerce businesses, ensuring efficient and timely delivery.
Ecommerce Solutions
- Platform Selection: FedEx provides guidance on choosing the right e-commerce platform, whether you need a turnkey solution or a more customized option, helping businesses start their e-commerce journey effectively.
- Discounted Shipping Rates: Businesses can save significantly on both U.S. and international shipping by opening a free FedEx business account, which offers big discounts and other benefits.
- Small Business Support: FedEx offers personalized support to small businesses, discussing everything from discounts to integrating shipping solutions into their systems.
- E-commerce Fulfillment: Optimize inventory management, order processing, and returns to enhance the customer journey. FedEx provides tools and ideas to improve e-commerce fulfillment processes.
- Cost and Speed Balance: FedEx helps businesses compare different shipping options to balance cost and delivery speed, crucial for maintaining a competitive edge in e-commerce.
- Store Pickup Option: Businesses can offer customers the convenience of having packages delivered to nearby retail locations, reducing residential surcharges and improving delivery status communication.
- Frictionless Returns: FedEx helps create an exceptional customer experience by providing solutions that offer customers more visibility and control over their shipments and a smooth returns process.
OnTrac
OnTrac is a transcontinental delivery service specializing in coast-to-coast e-commerce delivery. The company is committed to helping retailers build brand loyalty through faster and reliable delivery services while offering a competitive alternative to national carriers.
Ecommerce Solutions
- Coast-to-Coast E-Commerce Delivery: OnTrac enables retailers to move parcels across the country in as little as four days. This service helps businesses meet consumer expectations for faster delivery, enhancing customer satisfaction and loyalty.
- 7-Day Delivery Service: OnTrac offers a seven-day delivery service, ensuring that packages can be delivered every day of the week, including weekends.
- Cost Savings: Retailers can save 10-35% on shipping costs compared to national carriers. OnTrac’s cost-effective solutions allow businesses to protect their margins while providing efficient delivery services.
- Reliable On-Time Performance: OnTrac boasts a 98%+ average on-time delivery performance, ensuring that customers receive their packages reliably and on schedule, which is crucial for maintaining customer trust and satisfaction.
- Technology Integration: OnTrac provides seamless technology integration, including visual proof of delivery (VPOD), SMS notifications, API, and multi-carrier software integrations.
- Service Area and Coverage: OnTrac’s delivery network covers over 70% of the U.S. population across 35 states and Washington D.C., allowing businesses to reach a vast customer base with their products.
Pitney Bowes
Pitney Bowes offers a range of delivery services designed to meet the diverse needs of e-commerce shippers. Their solutions provide reliable, flexible, and cost-effective shipping options, ensuring smooth and efficient delivery both domestically and internationally.
Ecommerce Solutions
- National Delivery: Pitney Bowes provides modular nationwide delivery services that offer the ideal balance of speed and cost, helping retailers meet consumer expectations for faster deliveries across the U.S.
- Regional Delivery: With a flexible network of e-commerce hubs, Pitney Bowes fills regional needs by making regional connections, simplifying the process of getting products to customers.
- International Delivery: Their international delivery service blends transportation, technology, and expertise to ensure smooth shipments across borders, taking the stress out of international shipping.
- Lower Costs: The delivery services are designed specifically for e-commerce, offering cost savings with six days a week delivery to over 150 million addresses and simple, predictable pricing.
- Free Branded Tracking: Pitney Bowes provides free branded tracking and consumer experience applications, allowing businesses to enable additional marketing opportunities with their preferred branding.
- Gift Tracking: This unique post-purchase experience allows customers to create and upload photos and videos to surprise and delight gift receivers, enhancing customer engagement.
- Returns Management: Pitney Bowes offers a comprehensive set of options for initiating and processing returns, including printer-less QR codes, free home pick-up, and drop-off at thousands of locations.
Amazon Shipping
Amazon Shipping provides comprehensive e-commerce parcel delivery solutions designed to streamline logistics and improve efficiency. Their services integrate seamlessly with various platforms such as eBay, Etsy, Magento, Shopify, and more, ensuring a smooth order management process and enhanced customer experience.
Ecommerce Solutions
- Marketplace Integration: Connect your e-commerce accounts like Amazon, eBay, and Etsy to manage all orders in one place. This reduces manual errors and saves time, allowing for more efficient operations.
- API Integration: The Amazon Shipping API simplifies order fulfillment with automated management, real-time tracking, and efficient label purchasing through systems like Shipstation, Veeqo, and Metapack.
- Flexible Shipping Solutions: Tailored for all business sizes, from small businesses to large enterprises, ensuring scalable and efficient operations.
- Comprehensive Tracking: Provides detailed tracking capabilities with SMS and email updates, keeping customers informed throughout the delivery process.
- Reliable Delivery Options: Offers Next-Day and Two-Day delivery services to enhance customer satisfaction and meet delivery expectations.
- 7-Day Pickup and Delivery: Available seven days a week, including weekends, with no extra charges for residential deliveries or weekend services.
- Shipper Support: Includes a dedicated 7-day support line with 60-second callbacks, email, and chat support, ensuring assistance is always available.
DHL
DHL provides comprehensive e-commerce logistics solutions, catering to domestic and international parcel delivery for high-volume business customers. Their services are meticulously designed to support the entire shipping process, from pickup to delivery, ensuring reliability and efficiency.
Ecommerce Solutions
DHL eCommerce enhances the shipping experience for online retailers with tailored solutions:
- Marketplace Integration: They integrate with platforms like Amazon, eBay, Etsy, Shopify, and more, allowing seamless import of order details for efficient processing.
- Quick Send Service: This service is designed for marketplace sellers, enabling easy collection and delivery of orders, saving time and streamlining processes.
- Comprehensive Tracking: DHL provides end-to-end tracking visibility for both retailers and customers, improving transparency and reducing customer inquiries.
- Customizable Services: They offer options tailored to business needs, including courier tracking, digital signatures, and a returns account.
- Business Account Benefits: Businesses benefit from dedicated account managers, flexible pricing, and premium services like multiple delivery attempts and end-to-end tracking.
- International Shipping Services: DHL simplifies global shipping with DDU and DDP solutions and provides robust cross-border services to over 220 countries and territories.
UPS
UPS provides comprehensive e-commerce shipping solutions designed to simplify order management and enhance delivery convenience. With robust integration options and a vast network of collection and delivery points, UPS supports businesses of all sizes.
Ecommerce Solutions
UPS enhances the e-commerce experience with features designed to streamline logistics and improve efficiency:
- Marketplace Integration: Connect eBay and Amazon accounts to manage orders in one place, reducing manual errors and saving time.
- Automated Shipping: The UPS Plug-In offers dynamic pricing, geography-based pricing, and automated tracking information for efficient shipping management.
- Flexible Delivery Options: UPS MyChoice® allows customers to change delivery details, enhancing satisfaction and loyalty.
- Returns Management: UPS simplifies the return process with clear instructions and integrated solutions, ensuring a hassle-free experience.
- International Shipping: They offer comprehensive solutions for shipping to over 220 countries, supported by reliable customs expertise and transit times.
- UPS Access Points: Over 15,000 local businesses serve as convenient parcel drop-off and collection points, enhancing delivery flexibility.
- UPS MyChoice®: This service allows customers to select delivery days and times, ensuring convenient parcel receipt.
Parcel Courier Services in the US: Frequently Asked Questions
What factors should I consider when choosing a parcel courier service in the US?
Consider delivery times, costs, reliability, service coverage, and specific features or benefits such as discounted rates, free shipping supplies, or dedicated support.
How can I benefit from using these services for eCommerce?
You can benefit from discounted shipping rates, streamlined order management, dedicated customer support, flexible access options, and comprehensive global shipping solutions.
What are the advantages of discounted shipping rates offered by parcel courier services in the US?
Discounted shipping rates help reduce shipping costs, improve profit margins, and provide businesses with competitive pricing for their customers.
How do these couriers ensure reliable delivery?
They offer extensive networks, advanced tracking systems, dedicated support teams, and consistent on-time performance to ensure reliable delivery.
What eCommerce solutions do parcel courier services in the US provide?
Solutions include discounted rates, dedicated support, flexible access options, free shipping supplies, and enhanced shipping management tools.
Are there any additional charges with these services?
Many services offer no additional charges for fuel surcharges, residential delivery, address correction, forwarding, or returning undeliverable items.
How do parcel courier services in the US support international shipping?
They provide global shipping software, customs management, international shipping solutions, and streamlined processes to handle international shipments efficiently.
Can these couriers help with managing returns?
Yes, they offer comprehensive returns management solutions, including easy return processing, flexible return options, and efficient handling of returned items.
What makes parcel courier services in the US suitable for small businesses?
They provide personalized support, discounted rates, flexible shipping options, and easy integration with various eCommerce platforms, making them ideal for small businesses.
How do these couriers enhance customer satisfaction?
By offering reliable delivery, comprehensive tracking, flexible delivery options, and excellent customer support, they ensure a positive experience for customers.
Bonus Content: If you’re interested, here are some other resources related to the Ecommerce & Agencies that might be useful for you:
