ShipSigma Blog

How Much Does It Cost to Ship Through UPS?

Written by Chase Flashman | Mar 23, 2023 3:25:03 PM

UPS offers a wide range of services, reliable tracking, and an extensive network of pickup and drop-off locations. However, the downside of many parcel shipping options is that prices can vary greatly, leaving you confused. 

In this blog post, we'll take a closer look at the factors that impact UPS shipping rates and provide tips on saving money on your next shipment.

What Is UPS Average Shipping Cost in 2023?

Each UPS service has its specific rates. The lowest shipping cost possible is the amount charged for shipping the smallest possible package to the nearest destination. Similarly, the highest shipping cost is the amount charged for shipping the largest possible package to the farthest possible destination. 

So, on average, how much does it cost to ship through UPS?

Below are the ranges of shipping rates in 2023 for various UPS Domestic shipping services: 

*Prices are accurate as of March 2023

UPS Ground - Ground delivery is the cheapest way to ship a package via UPS. This service guarantees delivery within one to five business days.

Rates:

Regular package: From $10.10 to $856.00.

For packages over 150 pounds: From $0.69 to $5.71 (price-per-pound).

UPS 2nd Day Air - Delivery of packages and parcels within two business days. This service is faster than UPS Ground and is ideal for time-sensitive shipments that do not require overnight delivery. 

Rates:

Regular package: From $21.64 to $1,139.60.

For packages over 150 pounds: From $1.64 to $7.60 (price-per-pound).

UPS Next Day Air Early - Delivery of packages and parcels by the next business day, typically by 8:00 a.m. This service is ideal for time-critical shipments that require delivery as early as possible.

Rates:

Regular package: From $65.00 to $1,742.67.

For packages over 150 pounds: From $2.68 to $11.42 (price-per-pound).

UPS Next Day Air - Delivery of packages and parcels to destinations within the United States by the next business day, typically by the end of the day. Ideal for time-critical shipments that require fast delivery.

Rates:

Regular package: From $35.00 to $1,750.83.

For packages over 150 pounds: From $2.68 to $11.67 (price-per-pound).

UPS Next Day Air Saver - Delivery of packages and parcels by the next business day, typically by the end of the day. This service is similar to UPS Next Day Air, but it is cheaper and offers a delivery guarantee by the end of the day instead of earlier in the day.

Rates:

Regular package: From $31.71 to $1,489.25.

For packages over 150 pounds: From $2.53 to $9.93 (price-per-pound). 

UPS 2nd Day Air A.M. - Delivery of packages and parcels by the second business day, typically by 10:30 a.m. This service is similar to UPS 2nd Day Air, but it offers an earlier delivery time guarantee.

Rates:

Regular package: From $23.64 to $1,311.73.

For packages over 150 pounds: From $1.85 to $8.74 (price-per-pound). 

UPS 3 Day Select - Delivery of packages and parcels within three business days. This service is faster than UPS Ground but slower than UPS 2nd Day Air and UPS Next Day Air. It is an ideal choice for shipments that are not time-sensitive but require a faster delivery than UPS Ground.

Rates:

Regular package: From $13.66 to $827.47.

For packages over 150 pounds: From $1.23 to $5.52 (price-per-pound).

UPS Ground with Freight Pricing

Starting November 2022 and as of March 2023, the lowest possible charge for this service is $99.50 per shipment. 

How Do I Calculate UPS Shipping Cost

  1. Choose the UPS shipping service you prefer.
  2. Determine your package's actual and dimensional weight, then use whichever is greater as your package’s official weight. 
  3. Download the UPS shipping zones chart and find the zone of your shipping destination. 
  4. Using your destination zone and package weight, check your applicable shipping rates in daily rate tables or retail rate tables

How Does UPS Calculate Shipping Rate?

UPS calculates your shipping rates using several factors, including:

Package weight and size

The weight and size of the package are major factors in determining shopping rates, since they directly impact UPS’s transportation costs. For example, a heavy parcel would be charged a higher UPS ground shipping cost, since bigger packages require more fuel to transport than light packages.

Depending on the nature of the package, UPS can use either actual weight or dimensional weight to calculate your shipping costs.

Shipping Distance

The longer the distance between the origin and destination, the higher the shipping costs.

Delivery time

Expedited delivery services have a higher charge than regular delivery options. 

Additional services

UPS offers additional services, such as insurance, delivery confirmation, and signature confirmation, which can also affect the shipping cost.

For more details on UPS rate calculation methods, check out the UPS shipping rates by weight chart 2023 or the UPS shipping cost calculator.

 

ShipSigma’s AI-powered Platform Gives You the Best UPS Shipping Rates

Choosing the UPS shipping service that fits your needs and budget can be hard. Make that a thing of the past with ShipSigma’s tech-powered rate negotiation platform, designed to ensure you always get the best shipping rates without downgrading your shipping service. Our customers save an average of 25% on shipping costs. Contact us today to see how we can lower yours.

 

FAQs

How much does UPS charge for a 40 lb package?

UPS charges from $22.52 to $489.82 to ship a 40lb package, depending on your chosen shipping service. 

Can you get a shipping quote from UPS?

Yes, UPS provides shipping quotes through its online tool called ‘Calculate Time and Cost.’ All you need to do is enter the origin, destination, package weight, and a few other details, and it will provide you with a shipping cost estimate.