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Finding the cheapest way to ship a package doesn’t mean sacrificing quality. Affordable shipping rates are available to anyone that knows where to look.
Finding the cheapest way to ship a package doesn’t mean sacrificing quality. Affordable shipping rates are available to anyone that knows where to look. And since you’re reading this, you’re already on the path to making shipping more affordable.
ShipStation is all about saving you time and money on your shipping and fulfillment. In this updated 2025 guide, we’ll cover ways to access the lowest shipping rates, use new cost-saving methods, and optimize your shipping workflow.
You’ll discover new ways to use the services you use every day, new affordable options, and ways to streamline your shipping process.
Breaking old habits can be hard, but once you find affordable shipping options and a simpler way to ship, you’ll wonder how you managed before.
Affordable shipping rates are available to anyone that knows where to look. Shipping software like ShipStation provides the tools you need:
To access these savings, you simply need to sign up for ShipStation.
Sometimes, merchants become accustomed to using the same carriers and services. But there can often be substantially cheaper options that deliver faster. By using a mix of carriers — UPS, USPS, DHL Express, and FedEx — you can find the best rate for every shipment.
ShipStation gives you instant access to these carriers through ShipStation Carrier Services, so you can buy postage from a single balance and automatically apply the cheapest rates to future orders.
You may not realize it, but anyone can be getting shipping rates that even large enterprises want. With ShipStation, you can save big on shipping:
Pro Tip: Rate shop for every package, even if you’re loyal to a specific carrier.
For high-volume shippers, efficiency is key. ShipStation’s automation features apply the best shipping services as soon as an order comes in. This saves time and money, especially when combined with bulk label printing and batch processing.
Different shipping services offer a range of delivery timeframes, from affordable economy options to fast express deliveries. This flexibility allows businesses to meet diverse customer expectations—balancing cost and speed—by selecting the most effective shipping option for each order. As a result, sellers can reduce operational costs while maintaining high customer satisfaction and on-time delivery performance.
Standard shipping is where most shippers can save big. Let’s compare some of the best options available in 2025:
Pro Tip: USPS Media Mail starts as low as $3.92 for qualifying media materials.
Two-day shipping is a popular option, especially as customer expectations for quick delivery continue to rise. Metapack’s latest delivery research study found that 57% of consumers now expect orders to arrive within two days, but only 35% of retailers globally meet this demand.
Pro Tip: Take advantage of ShipStation’s discounted expedited services to stay competitive without shrinking margins.
Overnight shipping services are often costly, but essential for urgent deliveries. Choosing the right service can result in big savings. ShipStation offers the following services:
Protect every shipment—at a lower cost—with ParcelGuard, ShipStation’s built-in shipping insurance solution. Unlike standard carrier insurance, ParcelGuard offers better coverage, faster claims, and lower rates—all managed directly within ShipStation.
When insuring packages, carriers typically charge between $0.75–$0.85 per $100 of declared value, often with a minimum cost around $2.50. With ParcelGuard, you pay just $0.55 per $100 in coverage, and there’s no minimum fee—so even low-value shipments are protected affordably.
Key benefits of ParcelGuard:
The size of a parcel is going to greatly determine your shipping rate. The more space a package takes in the back of a truck, the fewer parcels the carrier can transport at once. One way to maintain steady shipping costs is to opt for Flat Rate packages. But since this will not always give you the lowest rate, let’s explore some more packaging options.
USPS First Class Mail offers amazing rates for small parcels under 16 oz. But UPS® Ground and USPS Priority Mail® have great rates too and deliver much more quickly. Small parcels weighing over 16 oz can be more affordable than you’d think with services like UPS® Ground.
For heavier or larger packages, UPS Ground typically offers better rates than USPS, though USPS Parcel Select and FedEx Ground remain strong options.
Even if a large parcel is lightweight, shipping it can be expensive. Large parcels cost more because of their dimensional weight. Dimensional weight is a pricing structure that increases the shipping rate if a parcel is deemed too large in relation to its weight—think things like a bike rim or a hula hoop. Since packages take up so much space in cargo vehicles and airplanes, etc., their shipping rate increases with their size.
Pro tip: Always use the smallest packaging possible to reduce dimensional weight charges.
Shipping internationally can be expensive, but with the right strategies, you can control costs.
For small international packages, USPS First Class Mail® International and GlobalPost Economy offer affordable rates. For heavier or faster shipping, services like DHL Express and UPS International (with ShipStation’s discounts) are ideal.
Pro tip: Consolidate international shipments when possible to reduce per-package costs.
For more information on affordable international shipping, read our cheapest way to ship internationally blog. We also have guides discussing how to ship to places as nearby as Canada and as far away as China.
Similar to size, the weight of a parcel can greatly impact its rate. Since we’ve already discussed size-based pricing and dimensional weight pricing, let’s take a look at what the most cost-effective shipping service is based on different weight groups.
Use ShipStation’s In-Cart Delivery Options to show live shipping rates at checkout. Compatible with:
Pro tip: Live rates reduce cart abandonment and prevent overcharging or undercharging customers.
Free or flat-fee shipping remains an effective way to increase conversion rates.
Pro Tip: Incorporating shipping costs into product prices can help offset free shipping promotions.
ShipStation users can access exclusive shipping discounts across major carriers—no volume commitments required. Here’s a breakdown of the savings you can unlock:
Additional benefits:
Discounts off UPS daily rates. Applies to shipments originating from the U.S. only.
Bonus: Get a free PC Postage account (valued at $15.99/month) through Stamps.com—exclusively for ShipStation users.
Why GlobalPost:
For packages under 16 oz, USPS First Class Mail® is typically the most affordable. For larger packages, UPS Ground or USPS Parcel Select® Ground often provide the lowest rates.
USPS generally offers the lowest retail rates for light packages. However, ShipStation users can unlock deeper discounts across USPS, UPS, FedEx, DHL, and GlobalPost, often beating standard rates offered directly by carriers.
For heavy packages (10 lbs or more), UPS Ground and FedEx Ground usually offer the most cost-effective options. Using dimensional weight pricing strategies and ShipStation’s discounted rates can further reduce costs.
It depends on package weight, size, and delivery zone. For heavier domestic shipments, UPS Ground often has the edge, especially for larger zones. For lightweight expedited shipments, FedEx might offer better rates.
UPS Ground is typically cheaper for heavier packages, especially with ShipStation’s up to 77% off standard rates. However, FedEx Ground can sometimes be more competitive based on shipping distance and package dimensions.
For small packages, USPS is usually cheaper. However, for larger, heavier, or time-sensitive shipments, FedEx may offer better rates, particularly for expedited services or when using discounted accounts through platforms like ShipStation.
UPS Ground or FedEx Ground with ShipStation discounts applied. Rates typically start from $15.00 depending on zone and dimensions.
Use a shipping platform like ShipStation to access commercial discounts, automate rate comparisons, and streamline workflows. Signing up often unlocks immediate savings up to 89% off retail rates.
For lightweight parcels, USPS First Class Mail International or GlobalPost tend to be most affordable. For heavier or expedited shipments, DHL Express or UPS International (with ShipStation discounts) are the best options.
Ready to find the cheapest way to ship your packages? Start your free ShipStation trial today and save up to 89%.
James Messer is a copywriter specializing in shipping, logistics, and ecommerce.