Economy Shipping
Also known as: Standard Shipping, Budget Shipping, Value Shipping
Definition
Economy shipping is the most affordable way to send packages, accepting longer delivery times in exchange for lower costs. It’s the default choice for cost-conscious shippers and price-sensitive customers.
Economy Service Examples
| Carrier | Economy Service | Transit Time |
|---|---|---|
| USPS | Ground Advantage, Media Mail | 2-8 days |
| UPS | Ground | 1-5 days |
| FedEx | Ground, SmartPost | 1-7 days |
| DHL | eCommerce | 3-8 days |
Economy vs. Express
| Factor | Economy | Express |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | Lower | Higher |
| Transit | 3-8 days | 1-3 days |
| Guaranteed | Often no | Usually yes |
| Tracking | Basic | Detailed |
| Priority | Lower | Higher |
When to Use Economy
- Customer pays shipping (they choose)
- Non-urgent items
- Price-sensitive products
- Low-margin items
- Subscription boxes
Hybrid Services
Some services blend economy and express:
- FedEx SmartPost: FedEx to USPS for final mile
- UPS SurePost: UPS to USPS handoff
- DHL eCommerce: Economy international
Economy Shipping Trade-offs
Pros:
- Lowest cost
- Good for most B2C
- Adequate for standard expectations
Cons:
- Longer transit
- Less tracking detail
- No guaranteed delivery
- Higher loss/damage rates
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