UPS SurePost vs USPS Priority Mail in 2024: An In-Depth Comparison for Online Sellers
As an ecommerce business owner, providing fast, reliable shipping at reasonable costs is essential for keeping customers happy and loyal. But with so many shipping options to choose from, it can be tricky to know whether to use UPS SurePost or USPS Priority Mail.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll compare these two popular delivery services so you can make an informed decision for your business.
An Overview of UPS SurePost
UPS SurePost is best suited for high volume shippers who want to ship packages affordably around the continental US. This hybrid service uses the UPS ground network for the majority of the journey, then relies on the USPS for final delivery.
According to UPS, here are the key features of SurePost:
- Delivery time: 2-7 business days
- Minimum volume: 50+ packages per week
- Average savings: Around 20% vs. UPS Ground
- Insurance: Up to $100 per package
- 2022 rates: Starting at $10.59 for 1 lb package to Zone 2
SurePost is slower than regular UPS Ground, but offers decent reliability with an on-time delivery rate of 96.5% in 2022. It’s ideal for ecommerce sellers making lots of lightweight residential shipments.
How USPS Priority Mail Stacks Up
USPS Priority Mail is one of the most popular shipping options for ecommerce. It offers expedited delivery in 1-3 days based on distance, with no minimum volume requirements.
Here are some key perks of Priority Mail:
- Delivery time: 1-3 business days
- 2022 on-time rate: 95.8%
- Insurance: Up to $50 included
- Supplies: Free boxes and envelopes
- Saturday delivery: No extra fees
- International shipping: Available to over 200 countries
Priority Mail gives you two pricing options – dimensional weight/size-based or flat-rate boxes and envelopes. Flat rates start as low as $9.65 for an envelope.
How Pricing Compares in 2024
To really understand the cost difference between these shipping options, let’s look at some real-world examples.
Based on 2023 rates, here’s the cost to ship a 5 lb package from California to New York:
| Service | Price |
|---|---|
| UPS SurePost | $13.06 |
| USPS Priority Mail | $16.10 |
And for a heavier 20 lb package going to Zone 8:
| Service | Price |
|---|---|
| UPS SurePost | $25.78 |
| USPS Priority Mail (Medium Flat Rate Box) | $17.05 |
As you can see, USPS Priority Mail is more affordable for heavier packages, especially when using flat rate shipping. But for lighter packages, UPS SurePost has the cost advantage.
Average 2023 transit times for these routes are:
| Service | CA to NY | CA to Zone 8 |
|---|---|---|
| UPS SurePost | 6 days | 7 days |
| USPS Priority Mail | 2 days | 3 days |
Priority Mail is clearly faster over long distances. But for shorter Zone 2 routes, the times are comparable.
Key Factors to Consider
When deciding between these two services, here are some important factors to keep in mind:
Package weight – Heavier packages can ship cheaper via Priority Mail flat rates. But lightweight shipments get discounts with SurePost.
Delivery urgency – Priority Mail is faster with a 1-3 transit time. Choose this for time-sensitive orders.
Volume discounts – SurePost offers the best rates for high volume shippers sending 50+ packages per week.
Service reliability – Priority Mail has a slight edge here with a 95.8% on-time rate vs. 96.5% for SurePost.
Destination – SurePost only services the continental US. For Alaska, Hawaii or international, use Priority Mail.
Recommendations for Online Sellers
Based on this analysis, here is my expert advice for ecommerce businesses:
For high volumes of small, lightweight packages, UPS SurePost offers big savings.
USPS Priority Mail is ideal for urgent deliveries due to faster transit times.
If reliability is paramount, Priority Mail may be the safer choice.
For heavier or bulky packages, take advantage of Priority Mail flat rate shipping.
Only use Priority Mail for shipments going to Alaska, Hawaii or internationally.
No matter which option you choose, be sure to compare rates across different carriers and services. The best shipping solution depends on your specific business needs and order profiles. But evaluating factors like average package weight, delivery speed and destination will point you towards the most cost-effective choice.
