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Carriers & Rates
The Cheapest Way to Ship Packages in 2026
Finding the cheapest way to ship a package doesn’t mean sacrificing quality. Affordable shipping rates are available to anyone who knows where to look. And since you’re reading this, you’re already on the path to making shipping more affordable.
This guide covers ways to access the lowest shipping rate using the latest cost-saving methods, while optimizing your shipping workflow and streamlining 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.
At a glance: Cheapest way to ship a package in 2026
- USPS Ground Advantage® is often the cheapest option for packages under one pound, and it stays competitive up to five pounds.
- UPS® Ground can beat Ground Advantage on one-to-five-pound packages, depending on zone.
- UPS® Ground or FedEx® Ground are typically the cheapest options for heavy packages (10+ lbs).
- USPS First-Class Package International Service® or GlobalPost™ Economy are usually the best fit for lightweight international shipments.
Want to see exactly how much each shipment will cost and streamline selection of the cheapest way to ship? There is no method easier than using ShipStation to compare real-time rates across carriers and save up to 87% on shipping costs with no minimum volume.
In this article
How to get the lowest shipping rates
Using ShipStation is the easiest way to see exactly how much each shipment will cost and to streamline the process of selecting cheap shipping methods, which can save you a significant amount of money.
- ShipStation’s Rate Shopper compares real-time rates across carriers, with no minimum volume.
- ShipStation’s shipping rate calculator gives you fast, reliable quotes from top carriers.
- ShipStation offers pre-negotiated carrier discounts up to 87%
Use multiple carrier accounts
Some merchants rely on the same carriers and services every time. But there are often cheaper options that deliver faster.
By using a mix of carriers, such as UPS, USPS, FedEx, DHL Express, and GlobalPost, you can find the best rate for every shipment.
With ShipStation, you get instant access to these carriers, so you can buy postage from a single balance and automatically apply the cheapest rates to future orders.
Find the cheapest shipping rates
Any business can take advantage of low shipping rates, regardless of size. Depending on the service, ShipStation’s rates provide savings of:
- Up to 85% off UPS® international services*
- Up to 87% off USPS retail rates*
- Up to 90% off FedEx standard list rates†
- Up to 81% off DHL Express Worldwide*
- Up to 78% off GlobalPost™ list rates*
Rates are limited to shipping from the continental U.S. only. Rates and any applicable discounts are subject to change at any time without notice.
Create a shipping and fulfillment workflow
For high-volume shippers, efficiency is key. ShipStation automation applies 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.
Find Your Best Shipping Rate
Save money on shipping by rate shopping across 200+ carriers and accessing discounted rates on every shipment.
The cheapest shipping options based on delivery time
Different shipping services offer a range of delivery timeframes, from economy options to express. This flexibility allows businesses to meet diverse customer expectations, selecting the most effective shipping option for each order that balances cost and speed.
As a result, sellers can reduce operational costs while maintaining high customer satisfaction and on-time delivery performance.
Cheapest standard shipping options
Standard shipping is where most shippers can save big. Let’s compare some of the best options available in 2026:
| Weight | Recommended carrier | Estimated delivery | Starting price (via ShipStation) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under 16 oz | USPS Ground Advantage® | 2–5 business days | From $4.50 |
| 1–5 lbs | USPS Ground Advantage® or UPS® Ground | 1–5 business days | From $7.95 |
| 5–10 lbs | UPS® Ground | 1–5 business days | From $9.50 |
| Heavy parcels | FedEx Ground® | 1–5 business days | From $10.20 |
Cheapest 2-day shipping
Two-day shipping is a popular option, especially as customer expectations for quick delivery continue to rise.
| Carrier | Service | Delivery time | Starting price (via ShipStation) |
|---|---|---|---|
| UPS® | UPS 2nd Day Air® | 2 business days | From $18.00 |
| FedEx® | FedEx 2Day® | 2 business days | From $20.00 |
| USPS® | Priority Mail Express® | Overnight to 2 days | From $26.95 |
Cheapest overnight shipping
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:
| Carrier | Service | Delivery time | Starting price (via ShipStation) |
|---|---|---|---|
| UPS® | Next Day Air Saver® | End of business day | From $27.00 |
| UPS® | Next Day Air® | By noon | From $32.00 |
| UPS® | Next Day Air® Early | By 8 AM or 8:30 AM (depending on location) | From $45.00 |
| FedEx® | Standard Overnight® | End of business day | From $30.00 |
| FedEx® | Priority Overnight® | By 10:30 AM | From $38.00 |
| FedEx® | First Overnight® | By 8 AM or 8:30 AM (depending on location) | From $50.00 |
Protect your shipments with ParcelGuard
Get discounted shipping insurance right inside ShipStation. ParcelGuard lets you save up to 67% off carrier insurance and covers lost, stolen, and damaged packages, whether they’re branded or unbranded.
There’s no separate account to set up. Just select ParcelGuard when you ship, or create automation rules to cover shipments automatically. Rates start at $0.99 per $100 of coverage for most domestic services.
Key benefits of ParcelGuard:
- Save up to 67% off carrier insurance
- Coverage for lost, stolen, and damaged packages
- Works with branded and unbranded packages
- Pay with your ShipStation Balance
- File claims directly in ShipStation
- Backed by an A-rated underwriter
How to ship a package based on size
The size of a parcel will greatly determine your shipping rate. The more space a package takes up, the fewer parcels the truck can transport at once. Opting for Flat Rate packages is one of the most impactful ways to maintain low shipping costs. But it doesn’t always offer the best rate, so here are additional packing options to consider.
How to send a small package
USPS Ground Advantage® offers great rates for small packages under 16 oz. It’s the service that replaced First-Class Package Service for parcels. UPS® Ground and USPS Priority Mail® also offer competitive rates, and Priority Mail can deliver faster.
Packages over 16 oz can be more affordable than you’d expect with services like UPS® Ground.
The cheapest way to ship large packages
For heavier or larger packages, UPS Ground typically offers better rates than USPS, though USPS Ground Advantage and FedEx Ground remain good options.
| Package size | Best service | Estimated price range |
|---|---|---|
| Small (<16 oz) | USPS Ground Advantage® | $4.50–$6.00 |
| Small heavy (>16 oz) | UPS® Ground | $8.00–$11.00 |
| Large (>5 lbs) | UPS® Ground or FedEx Ground® | $10.00–$18.00 |
| Bulky (lightweight) | USPS Ground Advantage® Cubic or Priority Mail® Cubic | $8.25–$18.50 |
Cubic pricing is based on package volume, not weight. USPS offers it on Ground Advantage for packages up to one cubic foot and on Priority Mail for packages up to half a cubic foot.
How to find cheaper dimensional weight pricing
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 relative to its weight. Since packages take up so much space in vehicles, airplanes, and other modes of transportation, shipping rates increase with size.
| Carrier | Domestic dimensional formula |
|---|---|
| UPS® | (L x W x H) / 139 |
| USPS® | (L x W x H) / 139 (packages over 1 cubic foot) |
| FedEx® | (L x W x H) / 139 |
Pro tip: Always use the smallest packaging possible to reduce dimensional weight charges.
Find Your Best Shipping Rate
Save money on shipping by rate shopping across 200+ carriers and accessing discounted rates on every shipment.
The cheapest way to ship internationally
Shipping internationally can be expensive, but with the right strategies, you can control costs.
For small international packages, USPS First-Class Package International Service® and GlobalPost™ Economy offer affordable rates. For heavier or faster shipments, DHL Express and UPS® International (with ShipStation’s discounts) are ideal.
| Weight | Best carrier | Estimated price range |
|---|---|---|
| Lightweight (up to 4 lbs) | USPS First-Class Package International Service® | $15.75–$25.00 |
| Light parcels | GlobalPost™ Economy | $14.50–$22.00 |
| Fast international (heavy) | DHL Express | $30.00–$55.00 |
Pro tip: Consolidate international shipments when possible to reduce per-package costs. It’s one of the cheapest ways to ship internationally.
The cheapest shipping options based on weight
Similar to size, a parcel’s weight can greatly impact its rate. Here are the most cost-effective shipping services by weight group.
| Weight range | Recommended carrier | Starting price |
|---|---|---|
| <1 lb | USPS Ground Advantage® | $4.50 |
| 1–5 lbs | UPS® Ground / USPS Ground Advantage® / Priority Mail® | $8.00–$12.00 |
| 5–10 lbs | UPS® Ground / FedEx Ground® | $9.50–$18.00 |
| >10 lbs | UPS® Ground | From $15.00 |
How to offer customers the cheapest shipping rates
Offer checkout shipping rates
Use ShipStation’s In-Cart Delivery Options to show live shipping rates at checkout. This feature is compatible with:
- Shopify
- Wix
- Magento
- BigCommerce
- WooCommerce
- Adobe Commerce
Providing customers with live rates reduces cart abandonment and prevents overcharging or undercharging customers.
Offer free or flat-fee shipping
Free or flat-fee shipping is a proven way to increase conversion rates. Incorporating shipping costs into product prices can help offset the cost of free shipping promotions.
Where to find the best shipping rates and carrier discounts
ShipStation users can access exclusive shipping discounts across major carriers with no volume commitments required. Here’s a breakdown of the savings you can unlock:
UPS® discounts via ShipStation
- UPS® International Services: up to 85% off
- UPS® Ground Shipments: up to 81% off
- UPS 2nd Day Air®: up to 75% off
Additional benefits:
- No minimum shipping volume required
- Discounts on common delivery surcharges
- Domestic and international coverage
- Real-time rates and label printing
- Guaranteed delivery for eligible services
- Updated tracking and delivery alerts
USPS discounts via ShipStation
- Priority Mail®: up to 45% off
- Priority Mail Express®: up to 15% off
- USPS Ground Advantage®: up to 53% off
DHL Express discounts via ShipStation
- DHL Express Worldwide: up to 81% off
Additional benefits:
- 2–3 business day delivery to most international destinations
- On-Demand Delivery® for your customers
- Paperless customs with DHL Paperless Trade®
- No minimum volume requirements
GlobalPost discounts via ShipStation
- GlobalPost Economy: up to 78% off
- GlobalPost Standard: up to 72% off
- GlobalPost Plus: up to 74% off
Why GlobalPost:
- Consolidated international shipping
- Cost-effective parcel delivery
- Access to multiple international service levels
Find Your Best Shipping Rate
Save money on shipping by rate shopping across 200+ carriers and accessing discounted rates on every shipment.
Cheapest Shipping FAQs
What is the cheapest way to ship a package?
For packages under one pound, USPS Ground Advantage® is typically the most affordable. For larger packages, compare Ground Advantage, UPS® Ground, and FedEx Ground®. Rate shopping picks the winner for you.
Who has the cheapest shipping rates?
USPS generally offers the lowest retail rates for light packages. With ShipStation, you can unlock deeper discounts across UPS, USPS, FedEx, DHL Express, and GlobalPost, often beating the rates carriers offer directly.
What is the cheapest way to send a heavy package?
For heavy packages (10 lbs or more), UPS Ground and FedEx Ground usually offer the most cost-effective options. Right-sizing your packaging and using ShipStation’s discounted rates cuts costs further.
Is FedEx or UPS cheaper?
It depends on package weight, size, and delivery zone. For heavier domestic shipments, UPS Ground often has the edge, especially across larger zones. For lightweight expedited shipments, FedEx might offer better rates. Both raised rates an average of 5.9% for 2026, so compare live rates instead of relying on habit.
Is UPS or FedEx cheaper for heavy packages?
UPS Ground is typically cheaper for heavier packages, especially with ShipStation’s discounted rates. FedEx Ground can be more competitive depending on distance and package dimensions.
Is FedEx cheaper than USPS?
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.
What is the cheapest shipping method?
For small, lightweight parcels: USPS Ground Advantage. For heavier domestic parcels: UPS Ground or FedEx Ground. For international shipments: GlobalPost Economy or USPS First-Class Package International Service.
How to get cheaper shipping rates?
Use a platform like ShipStation for commercial discounts, right-size your packaging to avoid dimensional weight charges, and let automation apply the best rate to every order.
What’s the cheapest way to ship a 10 lb package?
UPS Ground or FedEx Ground with ShipStation discounts applied. Rates depend on zone and dimensions, so run your package through the shipping rate calculator for an exact number.
How can small businesses get the best shipping rates?
Use a shipping platform like ShipStation to access commercial discounts, automate rate comparisons, and streamline workflows. Signing up unlocks immediate savings of up to 87% off USPS retail rates*.
Which carrier is cheaper for international shipping?
For lightweight parcels, USPS First-Class Package International Service or GlobalPost tend to be most affordable. For heavier or expedited shipments, DHL Express or UPS International (with ShipStation discounts) are the best options.
Find Your Best Shipping Rate
Save money on shipping by rate shopping across 200+ carriers and accessing discounted rates on every shipment.
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