What Is Economy Shipping? Top Economy Shipping Services Explained

If you run an online store, shipping isn’t just a step; it’s a dealmaker. A 2024 survey found that 41% of online shoppers around the world gave up on their purchase because the shipping fee was too expensive. That’s nearly half of all shoppers. So, shipping costs can seriously hurt your sales. On the flip side, a smooth and affordable delivery experience can make your customers happy and even bring them back to buy again.

That’s where economy shipping comes in. It’s a cheaper way to ship products, especially when fast delivery isn’t a top priority. For many sellers, it’s the best way to offer low-cost or even free shipping without losing money.

In this article, we’ll break down: what economy shipping really means, the four major companies that offer economy shipping, and how economy shipping compares to standard shipping.

Let’s dive in.

What is Economy Shipping? 

Economy shipping is the most affordable way to send packages, especially if speed isn’t your top concern.

It’s not as fast as express or expedited shipping, but it’s reliable and cost-effective. For most small businesses and online sellers, economy shipping is a go-to method when delivering non-urgent orders. Why? Because it helps save on shipping costs without sacrificing too much on customer experience.

Key Features of Economy Shipping

• Low cost — usually the cheapest shipping option
• Longer delivery time — slower than standard or express shipping
• Basic or limited tracking
• Ideal for small, lightweight items
• Often used for free shipping offers
• Available for both domestic and international delivery 

How Long Does Economy Shipping Take?

Delivery time depends on where you’re sending the package. Let’s break it down: 

Domestic Economy Shipping Times (Within the U.S.)

For shipments inside the United States, economy shipping usually takes 2 to 7 business days. The exact time depends on:

• How far the package has to travel
• Which carrier you’re using (USPS, UPS, FedEx, etc)
• Weather and seasonal delays
• Holidays or high-demand periods

For example, if you’re sending something from California to New York, it might take closer to 6–7 days. But within the same city or state, it could arrive in just 2–3 days.

International Economy Shipping Times

When shipping internationally, economy services generally take 5 to 15 business days, sometimes more.

Some countries may experience extra delays due to customs clearance or slower local postal networks. Still, economy shipping remains one of the most budget-friendly ways to reach global customers.

In the next section, we’ll look at some of the top economy shipping services from major carriers like USPS, FedEx, UPS, and DHL, including how long each takes and what it costs.

Major Economy Shipping Services

Before we dive into specific delivery times and costs, let’s look at the main shipping companies that offer economy shipping in the United States.

In the US, there are three major shipping carriers you’ll run into most often. These are: USPS, FedEx, and UPS. According to Statista, in 2022, USPS held the largest share of the US courier service market, followed by UPS with 37% and FedEx with 32.9%. 

What about DHL? DHL mainly focuses on international shipping, but inside the United States, DHL eCommerce partners with USPS to handle the last-mile delivery. So, your DHL package might actually arrive in your regular USPS mail.

Next, let’s look at what economy shipping services each of these major carriers offers, and how they compare in delivery time, coverage, and cost.

USPS Economy Shipping

USPS is the official mail service of the United States. Because it is run by the government, it usually offers the lowest-cost shipping options for domestic deliveries.

Domestic Economy Shipping: USPS Ground Advantage

For domestic shipping, USPS Ground Advantage is the main economy shipping service. It’s suitable for low-priority packages that do not need fast delivery but still need reliable tracking.

Here are the key features of USPS Ground Advantage:

• Delivery time: Usually takes 2 to 5 business days
• Delivery coverage: All 50 US states, US military bases, US territories, and Freely Associated States
• Starting cost: Begins at $6.80 if you ship from a Post Office
• Maximum weight: Up to 70 pounds per package
• Maximum size: The combined length and girth (girth is the distance around the thickest part of the box) must not exceed 130 inches
• Tracking: Free tracking is included on all shipments

Tips: If you operate an online store or ship in bulk, you can also negotiate commercial rates with USPS for even lower prices.

International Economy Shipping: First-Class Package International & Priority Mail International

When it comes to international economy shipping, USPS gives you two main choices depending on how heavy your package is. First-Class Package International Service is the most economical option for shipping lightweight items to customers in other countries. Priority Mail International is a more reliable and faster economy option for heavier shipments.

• Delivery time: 6-10 business days, depending on the destination
• Delivery area: ship to more than 180 countries, including Great Britain, Canada, Japan, and Australia
• Starting cost: From $17.85 for both Priority Mail International and First-Class Package International Service.
• Maximum size and weight limit: Maximum of 70 pounds for Priority Mail International. Maximum of 4 pounds for First-Class Package International Service.
• Tracking: included (USPS tracking)

Recommend read: USPS Ground Advantage vs Priority Mail: The Best USPS Option for Your Package

FedEx Ground Economy Shipping 

Domestic Economy Shipping: FedEx Ground Economy

FedEx offers FedEx Ground Economy for domestic package delivery in the US. This service is perfect for low-weight, low-value shipments to residential addresses. The ideal package weight ranges from 1 to 10 pounds.

• Delivery time: Usually takes 2 to 7 business days from the origin to the destination. If shipping to locations outside the contiguous 48 states, delivery may take longer. The service operates Monday through Sunday. 
• Delivery area: Covers all US residential addresses nationwide.
• Starting Cost: Rates depend on the package weight, destination, and service type. For example, shipping a 1-pound package may cost around $11.32. There is also a residential surcharge of $5.95 per package for FedEx Home Delivery shipments.
• Maximum size and weight limit: Packages can weigh up to 70 pounds, and the combined length plus girth can be up to 130 inches.
• Tracking: included 

International Economy Shipping: FedEx International Economy

For international shipments, FedEx offers FedEx International Economy, which provides a balance of affordable pricing and reasonable delivery times.

• Delivery time: Typically, shipments to Canada, Mexico, and Puerto Rico arrive in 2 to 3 business days. Deliveries to other countries usually take 2 to 5 business days.
• Delivery area: Service covers over 210 countries worldwide.
• Starting cost: Costs vary by destination. For example, shipping a 1-pound package from the US to the UK costs about $130.
• Maximum size and weight limit: The weight limit is 150 pounds, and the maximum size allowed is 108 inches in length or 130 inches combined length plus girth.
• Tracking: included

UPS Economy Shipping 

Domestic Economy Shipping: UPS Ground

UPS Ground is UPS’s cheapest option for domestic shipping. It’s meant for low-priority packages when speed isn’t a big deal.

• Delivery time: Typically 1 to 5 business days
• Delivery area: All 50 states and Puerto Rico
• Starting cost: Depends on size and destination, but usually ranges from $7 to $75 within the continental US
• Maximum size and weight: Packages can weigh up to 150 pounds and measure up to 108 inches in length
• Tracking: Included with all shipments

International Economy Shipping: UPS Worldwide Economy 

For international shipments, UPS offers UPS Worldwide Economy, a low-cost option suitable for less time-sensitive packages.

• Delivery time: 5 to 8 days for Delivery Duty Paid (DDP) shipments; 5 to 12 days for Delivery Duty Unpaid (DDU) shipments
• Delivery area: Covers over 210 countries and territories worldwide
• Starting cost: Prices vary. For example, shipping from the U.S. to the United Kingdom starts at about $85
• Maximum size and weight: Packages up to 66 pounds, with the combined length plus girth not exceeding 130 inches
• Tracking: Included

Read more: UPS vs USPS: Which Shipping Service Is Best?

DHL Economy Shipping

DHL mainly focuses on international shipping. In the US, DHL often works with USPS to complete deliveries. For businesses, the most affordable international economy shipping option is DHL Parcel International.

• Delivery time: 4 to 8 business days for Europe and Canada; 8 to 14 business days for other parts of the world
• Delivery area: Ships to more than 220 countries and territories worldwide
• Starting cost: Varies depending on destination and package size
• Maximum size and weight: Weight up to 44 pounds (up to 66 pounds for shipments to Canada); Maximum combined length plus girth is 118 inches
• Tracking: Included with all shipments

Related read: DHL Shipment on Hold Explained

Economy vs Standard Shipping

So, we’ve talked a lot about economy shipping, but what about standard shipping? Standard shipping is the default option many carriers use to deliver packages. It’s usually a bit faster than economy shipping, but not as quick (or expensive) as express or expedited services.

Now comes the big question: As a seller, should you choose economy or standard shipping? Which one makes more sense for your business?

Let’s break it down by the most important factors.

Delivery time

Economy shipping usually takes longer than standard shipping. For domestic orders, economy options often take 2–7 business days, while standard shipping usually arrives in 1–5 days. If your customers are not in a hurry, economy is a good option. But if they want quicker delivery, standard shipping is a safer bet.

Shipping cost 

Economy shipping is the cheapest choice. Standard shipping costs more but gets the job done faster. That said, cost can also depend on the size and weight of the package. Carriers like FedEx and UPS use dimensional weight pricing. If your package is big but light, you might pay more than you expect, even with economy. USPS is more forgiving, especially for small domestic packages.

Coverage area

Both economy and standard shipping services cover wide areas, including all 50 US states and most international destinations. However, not all economy services reach rural or remote areas as fast or as reliably. Standard shipping may offer better tracking and smoother delivery in these cases.

If your product is time-sensitive or your customer expects faster delivery, go with standard shipping. If the item is low-cost, non-urgent, or you’re offering free shipping, economy shipping is usually the better choice.

Sup Dropshipping Helps You Find Better Shipping Solutions

Running a store but struggling with shipping? We’ve got your back. Sup Dropshipping can help you choose better, more affordable shipping methods that fit your business. On top of that, we offer reliable suppliers, quality products, and responsive customer support. You focus on selling. We’ll handle the rest.

Economy Shipping FAQs

1. How long will the economy shipping take?

Economy shipping usually takes anywhere from 2 to 10 business days. It depends on where the package is going and which carrier you use. For example, shipping within the same state can be faster than cross-country. If you’re shipping during a busy season like the holidays, it might take a little longer.

2. How fast is the economy shipping with USPS?

USPS economy shipping, now called Ground Advantage, normally takes 2 to 5 business days. That’s for domestic shipments. It’s a solid option if you’re not in a rush.

3. How much do economy shipping services cost?

Prices for economy shipping depend on the carrier, weight, size, and distance. For example, USPS starts around $6.80, FedEx might start at $11+, and international shipping usually costs more.