Waiting for your shipment can be very frustrating in this fast-moving world. That’s when expedited shipping comes in. Now, what is expedited shipping? And when would you want to use it? In this blog, we will explain everything you need to know about expedited shipping in simple terms so you can make the best choice for your needs.
What is Expedited Shipping?
Expedited shipping, to put it simply, accelerates the delivery of your shipment. This is the opposite when talking about regular shipping, which may take days, weeks, or more, but expedited shipping promises quicker delivery time. This means that usually, one to three business days will pass before the shipment arrives at the destination, based on the service level used by those carriers.
How Does Expedited Shipping Work?
When you choose expedited shipping, the carrier moves your shipment ahead of the other loads. This means faster processing and frequently includes more direct routes and additional rapid handling at all stops during the delivery process. It’s like getting a VIP pass for your package. It gets pushed to the front of the line and travels more quickly.
Why Use Expedited Shipping?
This shipping model is like a premium service for transporting goods. It does not only offer you faster delivery of your shipment but also puts it on the priority list of carriers. Moving forward, we will learn more about why you should go for expedited shipping.
- Time-Sensitive Deliveries
The most typical reason for choosing expedited shipping is urgency. If you have any shipment that needs to reach the destination before a deadline, expedited shipping ensures the timely arrival of your package.
- Business Needs
Time is money, after all, to businesses. Thus, this fast shipping maintains the stream of business operations while the customers are satisfied. In case you have an e-commerce store, if a customer makes their order at the last minute, this fast shipping can help you cope with the expectations set by the customer and thus maintain your good reputation.
- High-Value Items
If you are shipping something valuable or fragile, you can have extra security with expedited shipping. Because you get faster transit times, your package stays in transit for a shorter duration, thereby curbing the possibility of loss or damage. This may, for instance, be critical in electronics, jewelry, or important documents.
Types of Expedited Shipping Services
Speed shipping isn’t a one-size-fits-all proposition. Different carriers offer different services, so you need to pick the one that meets your needs. Here are some of the most common ones:
- Next Day Delivery
This type of delivery delivers your shipment to the destination the very next working day. This means it is by far the fastest of them all and needs to be used with urgency. However, again, one needs to pay a price for it.
- Two-Day Delivery
Two-day shipping is ideal for people who are short on time but do not necessarily need the shipment on the same day. This is faster than next-day shipping but more affordable. The advantage is that it still ensures your package gets to you quickly.
- Same-Day Shipping
If available, same-day shipping is one of the most excellent services out there. Yet, you might want to avoid situations for such rapid deliveries as this same-day delivery is the most expensive type of expedited delivery.
When Should You Avoid Expedited Shipping?
While expedited shipping is a considerable deal in many circumstances, at times, it is just really not that necessary. Here are some avoidable circumstances wherein you might want to think twice:
- Non-Urgent Deliveries
If your goods do not require immediate use, standard shipping can help you save money. For example, if your shipment delivery scheduled has enough time, then go for standard shipping. There really is no reason to pay extra for expedited shipping.
- Cost Effectiveness
Expediting shipping is expensive. If you are on a tight budget, determine whether the faster delivery is worth the cost. At times, it is better financially to make plans ahead so you can go for standard shipping.
- Shipping to Remote Areas
Even speed handling cannot make a huge difference in delivery time to extremely distant or rural locations. Ask the carrier for an estimation of their delivery times to remote or rural locations. Also, request extensions from your receiver in case of late delivery because of remote road qualities.
Conclusion
Expedited shipping is an excellent tool that ensures your shipments get to their destination in time. It can be used for immediate shipping needs or for high-value item shipment. You can also choose from various types of expedited services such as next day, same day, and two-day delivery according to your needs. However, knowing when and for what purpose you are opting for an expedited shipping service is crucial as it is not cost friendly.