Is UPS or USPS Cheaper for a 1LB Package?
June 1, 2023 •Chase Flashman
UPS and USPS are two of the most popular shipping carriers in the United States. Both offer a wide range of shipping services and are long-standing players in the shipping industry. While UPS is known for its fast delivery times and comprehensive tracking, USPS is often praised for its affordability and accessibility. In this article, we will pit the two against each other to determine which is cheaper.
Is UPS or USPS Cheaper for Small Packages?
First of all - what exactly are small packages? A small parcel or a small box is a package that weighs 70 pounds or less and whose size and volume do not exceed the carrier's standard package limits.
Since both UPS’ small package limit and USPS package limit are 70 pounds, we can easily compare the two to determine which carrier is cheaper for small boxes.
UPS Shipping Rates
| UPS Service |
|||||||
| Weight |
UPS Next Day Air Early |
UPS Next Day Air |
UPS Next Day Air Saver |
UPS 2nd Day Air A.M. |
UPS 2nd Day Air |
UPS 3-Day Select |
UPS Ground |
| 1–10 pounds |
$65.00–$241.38 |
$35.00–$220.81 |
$31.71–$166.88 |
$23.64–$125.26 |
$21.64–$122.21 |
$13.66–$81.74 |
$10.10–$112.33 |
| 11–20 pounds |
$87.74–$336.20 |
$57.74–$334.89 |
$51.04–$244.25 |
$34.07–$204.68 |
$30.87–$185.36 |
$24.10–$131.10 |
$14.10–$166.06 |
| 21–30 pounds |
$104.81–$407.52 |
$74.81–$401.18 |
$68.28–$323.01 |
$52.04–$280.59 |
$46.53–$259.15 |
$33.51–$180.11 |
$16.69–$219.32 |
| 31–40 pounds |
$122.69–$489.82 |
$92.69–$473.74 |
$85.35–$391.28 |
$68.58–$368.28 |
$58.69–$335.80 |
$44.84–$226.57 |
$20.19–$265.35 |
| 41–50 pounds |
$145.49–$572.75 |
$115.49–$553.61 |
$104.26–$468.37 |
$85.90–$435.70 |
$76.65–$370.88 |
$54.94–$269.82 |
$23.03–$316.11 |
| 51–60 pounds |
$173.79–$698.48 |
$143.79–$681.86 |
$123.26–$571.10 |
$104.82–$511.04 |
$86.54–$440.32 |
$65.10–$315.87 |
$24.79–$366.36 |
| 61–70 pounds |
$200.53–$782.36 |
$170.53–$768.24 |
$144.21–$656.79 |
$116.75–$597.70 |
$101.07–$495.98 |
$73.06–$374.64 |
$26.03–$422.73 |
USPS Shipping Rates
| USPS Service |
|||
| Weight |
Priority Mail Express |
Priority Mail |
USPS Retail Ground |
| 1–10 pounds |
$29.20–$158.55 |
$9.35–$104.50 |
$8.95–$40.90 |
| 11–20 pounds |
$49.05–$221.95 |
$15.95–$177.55 |
$15.20–$68.60 |
| 21–30 pounds |
$71.95–$308.15 |
$24.00–$231.75 |
$23.00–$95.60 |
| 31–40 pounds |
$98.55–$398.25 |
$34.25–$277.40 |
$34.05–$113.65 |
| 41–50 pounds |
$125.35–$494.15 |
$39.65–$314.90 |
$37.95–$127.85 |
| 51–60 pounds |
$151.70–$593.30 |
$43.15–$350.55 |
$40.85–$141.20 |
| 61–70 pounds |
$179.85–$688.20 |
$48.45–$401.35 |
$47.35–$161.75 |
Let’s compare USPS Retail Ground and UPS Ground since they are the closest in terms of delivery time (USPS Retail Ground delivers in 2–5 business days while UPS Ground delivers in 2–5 business days).
Comparison: UPS Ground prices Vs. USPS Ground prices
| Weight |
USPS Retail Ground |
UPS Ground |
| 1–10 pounds |
$8.95–$40.90 |
$10.10–$112.33 |
| 11–20 pounds |
$15.20–$68.60 |
$14.10–$166.06 |
| 21–30 pounds |
$23.00–$95.60 |
$16.69–$219.32 |
| 31–40 pounds |
$34.05–$113.65 |
$20.19–$265.35 |
| 41–50 pounds |
$37.95–$127.85 |
$23.03–$316.11 |
| 51–60 pounds |
$40.85–$141.20 |
$24.79–$366.36 |
| 61–70 pounds |
$47.35–$161.75 |
$26.03–$422.73 |
The prices above show that USPS Retail Ground has higher starting costs than UPS Ground but lower upper limit costs. This means that USPS Retail Ground is cheaper for long-distance shipping, while UPS is cheaper for shipping to close destinations.
For instance, if you’re shipping a small box that weighs 21–30 pounds locally (in the nearest zone), you will pay $23.00 for USPS Retail Ground and only $16.69 for UPS Ground. On the other hand, shipping a 21–30 pound item to the farthest zone will cost you $219.32 with UPS Ground and just $95.60 with USPS Retail Ground.
Is It Cheaper to Use a Flat Rate Box or Your Own Box?
It all depends. Follow these tips to make sure you’re using the right kind of box (and the most cost-effective one) at the right time:
Scenarios When It Is Cheaper to Use a Flat Rate Box
-
-When shipping small, heavy items - With standard shipping methods, the price increases as the package weight and shipping distance increase. With flat-rate shipping, you pay the same rate regardless of the item’s weight. As long as it fits in the box, it ships.
-
-To avoid package rejections or surcharges - A carrier can reject your package if they feel the box does not meet its shipping standards. They can also charge you extra if your parcel exceeds size limits. If you can’t find high-quality boxes of the correct size on your own, go for flat-rate packaging, which you can be sure is carrier-approved.
-
-If your business does high-volume in-house fulfillment - Packing using flat-rate boxes rather than your boxes helps to simplify packaging and fulfillment while keeping costs low. With flat-rate boxes, you don’t need to design, order, and store your own packaging. You can also save money since some carriers provide free flat-rate boxes. For example, FedEx flat-rate packaging is free when you use FedEx Express services for shipping.
-
-Shipping to distant or remote areas - Shipping to rural areas can sometimes be more expensive, as accessing these areas can be more challenging. Flat rate boxes can be cheaper in this scenario, as the price is the same regardless of the destination.
-
-When shipping multiple items - Packing several items into a flat-rate box can be cheaper than shipping each item individually.
-
Scenarios When It Is Cheaper to Use Your Box
-
-If you’re shipping small, lightweight goods, using your packaging may be cheaper than a flat-rate box since standard weight-based pricing may offer lower rates than flat-rate shipping for light items.
-
-If your business primarily ships locally - Flat-rate boxes are best used for shipping items far away. If you ship locally using flat-rate boxes, you may end up paying more than standard rates. For example, sending a regulation basketball (1.3 pounds) using Standard UPS Ground would cost you just $10.90. If you used UPS Simple Rate via UPS Ground, you would pay at least $21.05.
Cut Shipping Costs with ShipSigma
By using proprietary industry-leading technology and leveraging 250+ years of industry experience, we have reduced our customers' parcel shipping cost by an average of 25%, cumulatively saving them over $100M.
Reach out today, and become our next happy customer!