What is the Difference Between Standard and Expedited Shipping - Stamps.com
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What is the Difference Between Standard and Expedited Shipping?
Have you ever been confused about which shipping service to use in the marketplace? If so, you’re not alone. Naturally, your buyers want their items quickly — and, if possible, shipped free or at the lowest cost available — so the shipping service you choose can directly impact your seller feedback, overall customer satisfaction and your bottom line.
What’s more, the marketplaces tend to have different ways of classifying their shipping options — meaning what’s called expedited at Amazon may not be exactly what eBay considers expedited. Some marketplaces, like Amazon, specify a delivery time, not service, so if you’ve promised 2‑day shipping, its up to you to choose the shipping service to make it happen.
How USPS Defines the Options
The following table provides a quick look at the offerings of USPS, FedEx and UPS; always check directly with the shipper for any changes in services, names or costs.
| Carrier | Shipping Service Name | eBay Service Definition | Amazon Service Definition |
|---|---|---|---|
| USPS | USPS Priority Mail Express | One-day shipping | One-Day U.S. |
| USPS | USPS Priority Mail Express Flat Rate Envelope | One-day shipping | One-Day U.S. |
| UPS | UPS Next Day Air Saver | One-day shipping | One-Day U.S. |
| UPS | UPS Next Day Air | One-day shipping | One-Day U.S. |
| FedEx | FedEx Priority Overnight® | One-day shipping | One-Day U.S. |
| FedEx | FedEx Standard Overnight® | One-day shipping | One-Day U.S. |
| FedEx | FedEx Priority Overnight One Rate® | One-day shipping | One-Day U.S. |
| FedEx | FedEx Standard Overnight One Rate® | One-day shipping | One-Day U.S. |
| USPS | USPS First Class Mail | Standard shipping | Expedited U.S. |
| UPS | UPS Ground | Standard shipping | Expedited U.S. |
Tips for Sellers
Provide options. Offering expedited shipping, either as your preferred/regular method or as an option, can make products more attractive to buyers, since they can have a choice of shipping as well as more control over their buying patterns.
Understand the terms. Regardless of the shipper(s) you use, never assume that “expedited” is the fastest under their definition or terms of service, since in many cases it is just a level up from the standard or economy options, especially if same‑day or overnight shipping is offered.
Clearly communicate. Be precise in your communications with customers about which shipping carrier you choose, when you’ll ship, the service you use, and the expected delivery time frame.
Be mindful of marketplace messages. If you sell via a marketplace like Amazon or eBay, buyers often use the term “overnight’ when requesting expedited shipping.