Nowadays, more consumers focus on fast delivery, so expedited shipping is becoming popular. In this guide, you’ll learn some key information about expedited shipping and then you can make an informed decision for your business.
What is expedited shipping？
Expedited shipping is a way of prioritizing shipments so that they take less time than usual to go from departure to destination. Mostly, it occurs in express delivery, and in sea shipping, there is no expedited shipping.
Expedited shipping is related to how long the regular shipping takes. Some logistics companies refer to any shipping service faster than standard shipping as expedited shipping. It may include options like overnight shipping, 2-day shipping, same-day shipping, etc. However, in most cases, these shipping services are offered separately as upgrade options.
The major advantage of expedited shipping is its speed, as it can quickly meet customer demands. This timeliness can effectively increase customer satisfaction and loyalty while also enhancing the efficiency of the supply chain. When it comes to the cost, expedited shipping always requires a higher price due to its urgency. And the specific rates depend on your logistics provider.
How fast is expedited shipping？
Expedited shipping simply means a faster delivery than usual. And in most cases, it reduces the shipping time by about half compared to standard transportation. The actual time saved depends on the shipping distance and mode.
For instance, in international shipping, from Yiwu to less remote cities in Australia, regular shipping of general goods might take around 8 days. But with expedited shipping, it could be as quick as 5 days. Within the US, if a delivery typically takes 5 days, expedited shipping could shorten the time to 2-3 days.
With expedited freight, the goods are given priority loading on available transport vehicles, avoiding wait times and delays. It usually involves only one mode of transportation and does not make stops along the way, thus reducing transit time. Major international courier companies like FedEx and DHL support this shipping mode.
Standard vs expedited shipping
Someone may be confused about usual shipping and expedited shipping. The main difference between them is the speed and time deliveries take to arrive. Standard shipping is the regular shipping option, and it usually takes a longer time to deliver compared to expedited shipping. Because vehicles carrying expedited shipments make fewer stops along their routes.
Alternatively, during land transportation, the shipping company will assign two drivers for one truck and route. So they can take turns driving without the need to stop and rest. In addition, standard shipping is less expensive. It is suitable for customers who are not in a rush to receive their items and are willing to wait for a longer delivery time in exchange for lower costs.
Expedited vs express shipping
In our daily lives, we often refer to all deliveries as “express”. But there are actually differences in the delivery speeds. The fastest type of delivery is generally referred to as “express shipping,” medium-speed delivery is known as “expedited shipping,” and regular delivery is simply called “standard shipping.”
Express shipping usually refers to a service that can deliver the package within two days or even the next day, especially for domestic deliveries. On the other hand, expedited shipping is just faster than the standard option. For example, Amazon promotes their express shipping service as a next-day delivery option, while their expedited delivery takes 1-3 days.
Because express shipping requires more speed and less shipping time, it costs higher than expedited shipping.
How to conduct expedited shipping when saving costs?
Expedited shipping incurs higher costs, which can reduce your profits. Here are some ways to maintain fast and affordable shipping.
You can accurately price your products. It can ensure that the cost of expedited shipping is covered, and avoid setting product prices too low. Alternatively, set a minimum threshold for expedited shipping, so customers can enjoy free or discounted expedited delivery, offsetting your additional shipping costs.
If you are an Amazon FBA seller, you can use Amazon’s fulfillment centers. These centers are strategically located near high consumer-density areas, enabling quicker delivery. When customers choose expedited shipping, the products can be shipped from a nearby fulfillment center. The shorter the distance, the quicker the delivery.
And Amazon staff would deal with goods selection, packaging, and shipping. However, it’s important to consider storage fees, which can be relatively expensive. And during peak seasons, there might not be enough space for your inventory.
Another option is outsourcing fulfillment to 3PL companies. In the US, there are many such companies available. They can assist with efficient customs clearance, product packaging, and transportation. Also, they can help with product inspections, which can reduce negative feedback on your Amazon listings.
JingSourcing makes your goods ship on time.
As a leading sourcing company in China, JingSourcing has helped 4000+ clients source and customize products from China factories. Most of them are Amazon FBA sellers. We have our own warehouse, and offer you free storage for 1-2 months if you choose us to source products from China.
We can directly send the products to Amazon’s warehouse in batches at different times for your replenishment. Alternatively, we can also ship the products to your customers when in dropshipping mode.
Meanwhile, we offer a highly affordable price at just $5 per hour for Amazon FBA labeling services. This comprehensive package includes FNSKU labels, shipping labels, warning stickers, etc. Additionally, we provide the option to repack the goods and conduct product inspections according to your specific needs and preferences.
