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The Cheapest Way to Ship Packages in 2025
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.
TL;DR – Cheapest Way to Ship a Package in 2025:
- USPS First Class Mail® can be ideal for packages under 16 oz—ideal for small, lightweight shipments.
- For 1–5 lb packages, USPS Parcel Select® Ground and UPS® Ground can offer competitive rates.
- Heavy packages (10+ lbs) are cheapest with UPS® Ground or FedEx Ground.
- International shipments under 4.4 lbs will often use USPS First Class International® or GlobalPost Economy.
- 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.
How to Get the Cheapest Shipping Rates
Affordable shipping rates are available to anyone that knows where to look. Shipping software like ShipStation provides the tools you need:
- Shipping calculators
- Automated rate shopping
- Carrier discounts up to 87%
To access these savings, you simply need to sign up for ShipStation.
Use Multiple Carrier Accounts
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.
Find the Cheapest Shipping Rates
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:
- Up to 87% on USPS Priority Mail®
- Up to 77% on UPS® Ground
- Up to 83% on UPS® International services
Pro Tip: Rate shop for every package, even if you’re loyal to a specific carrier.
Create A Shipping and Fulfillment Workflow
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.
Cheapest Shipping Options Based on Delivery Time
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.
Cheapest Standard and 3-Day Shipping Options
Standard shipping is where most shippers can save big. Let’s compare some of the best options available in 2025:
| Weight | Recommended Carrier | Estimated Delivery | Starting Price (via ShipStation) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under 16 oz | USPS First Class Mail® | 1–5 business days | From $4.50 |
| 1–5 lbs | USPS Parcel Select® Ground | 2–8 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 |
Pro Tip: USPS Media Mail starts as low as $3.92 for qualifying media materials.
Cheapest Two-Day Shipping
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.
| Carrier | Service | Starting Price (via ShipStation) |
|---|---|---|
| UPS | UPS 2nd Day Air® | From $18.00 |
| USPS | Priority Mail Express® | From $26.95 |
| DHL Express | Express Worldwide | From $22.00 |
| FedEx | FedEx 2Day® | From $20.00 |
Pro Tip: Take advantage of ShipStation’s discounted expedited services to stay competitive without shrinking margins.
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 8:00 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 8:00 AM or 8:30 AM (depending on location) | From $50.00 |
The Cheapest Shipping Insurance with ParcelGuard
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:
- Lower rates than major carriers
- No minimum insurance threshold
- Streamlined claims process—file and track directly within ShipStation
- Coverage up to $10,000 per shipment
- Fast reimbursement on approved claims
How to Ship a Package Based on Size
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.
How to Send a Small Package
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.
The Cheapest Way to Ship Large Packages
For heavier or larger packages, UPS Ground typically offers better rates than USPS, though USPS Parcel Select and FedEx Ground remain strong options.
| Package Size | Best Service | Estimated Price Range |
|---|---|---|
| Small (<16 oz) | USPS First Class Mail® | $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 Priority Mail Cubic | $8.25 – $18.50 |
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 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.
| Carrier | Domestic Dimensional Formula |
|---|---|
| UPS on ShipStation | (L x W x H)/ 166 |
| USPS | (L x W x H)/ 166 |
| FedEx | (L x W x H)/ 139 |
Pro tip: Always use the smallest packaging possible to reduce dimensional weight charges.
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 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.
| Weight | Best Carrier | Estimated Price Range |
|---|---|---|
| Up to 4.4 lbs | USPS First Class Mail® Intl | $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.
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.
Cheapest Shipping Options Based on Weight
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.
| Weight Range | Recommended Carrier | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|
| <1 lb | USPS First Class Mail® | $4.50 |
| 1–5 lbs | UPS Ground / USPS Priority Mail® | $8.00 – $12.00 |
| 5–10 lbs | FedEx Ground / UPS Ground | $9.50 – $18.00 |
| >10 lbs | UPS Ground (ShipStation rate) | 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. Compatible with:
Pro tip: Live rates reduce cart abandonment and prevent overcharging or undercharging customers.
Offer Free or Flat-Fee Shipping
Free or flat-fee shipping remains an effective way to increase conversion rates.
| Strategy | Example |
|---|---|
| Flat fee shipping | “$5 shipping for all domestic orders.” |
| Free shipping threshold | “Free shipping on orders over $75.” |
Pro Tip: Incorporating shipping costs into product prices can help offset free shipping promotions.
Where to Find the Best Shipping Rates and Carrier Discounts
ShipStation users can access exclusive shipping discounts across major carriers—no volume commitments required. Here’s a breakdown of the savings you can unlock:
UPS® Discounts via ShipStation
| Service | Discount |
|---|---|
| UPS® International Services | Up to 83% off |
| UPS® Ground Shipments | Up to 77% off |
| UPS 2nd Day Air® | Up to 73% off |
Additional benefits:
- No minimum shipping volume required
- Discounts on common delivery surcharges
- Domestic & international coverage
- Real-time rates and label printing
- Guaranteed delivery for eligible services
- Updated tracking and delivery alerts
Discounts off UPS daily rates. Applies to shipments originating from the U.S. only.
USPS Discounts via ShipStation
| Service | Discount |
|---|---|
| Priority Mail® | Up to 89% off |
| First Class Mail Package | Up to 18% off |
| Priority Mail Express® | Up to 13% off |
| International (First Class, Priority, Express) | Up to 5% off |
| USPS Package Insurance | Up to 40% off |
Bonus: Get a free PC Postage account (valued at $15.99/month) through Stamps.com—exclusively for ShipStation users.
DHL Express Discounts via ShipStation
| Service | Discount |
|---|---|
| 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
| Service | Discount |
|---|---|
| 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
Cheapest Shipping FAQs
What is the cheapest way to ship a package?
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.
Who has the cheapest shipping 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.
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. Using dimensional weight pricing strategies and ShipStation’s discounted rates can further reduce costs.
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 for larger zones. For lightweight expedited shipments, FedEx might offer better rates.
Is UPS or FedEx cheaper for heavy packages?
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.
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 First Class Mail®.
- For heavier domestic parcels: UPS Ground or FedEx Ground.
- For international shipments: GlobalPost Economy or USPS First Class Mail® International.
How to get cheaper shipping rates?
- Compare carrier rates for each shipment.
- Use commercial discount platforms like ShipStation.
- Reduce package size and weight when possible.
- Take advantage of dimensional weight pricing.
- Use automation tools to streamline fulfillment and apply the best rate automatically.
What’s the cheapest way to ship a 10 lb package?
UPS Ground or FedEx Ground with ShipStation discounts applied. Rates typically start from $15.00 depending on zone and dimensions.
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 often unlocks immediate savings up to 89% off retail rates.
Which carrier is cheaper for international shipping?
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%.
