DHL vs. UPS - Which Is the Best & Cheapest?
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Selecting the right courier service to ship your products internationally or locally is extremely important, especially if you own an eCommerce business. Carriers decide not only the price of your shipment but also the delivery time and the handling of your package.
Therefore, to have a delightful experience of shipping goods from one place to another, you must make sure to choose the right service for it.
In this article, we’ll be discussing two of the leading courier providers, namely DHL and UPS. Both of these carriers are known for their efficient services. Hence, selecting one out of the two can be a tough decision. For this reason, we’ve provided an in-depth review of each of the couriers, including the services they provide, their shipping costs, and delivery time.
You’ll also come across their advantages and disadvantages, which will help you decide which seems to be a better shipping option for you. So, to gain a better understanding of shipping with DHL and shipping with UPS, continue reading.
DHL provides a wide range of services, including Air, Ocean, Road, and Rail Freight. Usually, DHL services are readily available in all locations. Some of them are as follows:
DHL Express 12:00
DHL Domestic Express
DHL Economy Select
The standard delivery time of DHL is 1-5 business days. However, the time your shipment stays in transit depends upon the service you choose and the shipping location. Priority services deliver your package quicker than economy services and hence, cost higher.
The shipping costs vary with the size of the shipment, its weight, and the shipping location. To calculate an estimate of the price for domestic shipping, we’ll be taking a 20-pound parcel for reference.
Sending this package from Virginia to Texas using DHL Express Domestic will roughly cost you $500. Furthermore, the package will reach its destination in one day. To obtain the cheapest delivery quotes, use the DHL shipping calculator.
DHL services ship your package abroad, i.e., from Virginia, USA to London, UK, via DHL Express Worldwide and Express 12:00. These services will cost you around $200-$600 and have a delivery time of three business days. Use the DHL shipping calculator for the best shipping prices.
Provides door-to-door services
Available in 220 countries
May include additional charges
With its effective services and satisfied customers, UPS has made a prominent name in the shipping market. To ship a parcel locally or internationally, UPS offers the following services:
UPS Express Plus
UPS Saver
UPS Standard
UPS Expedited
As mentioned before, the delivery time mainly depends on whether you choose expedited or economy services and shipping location. However, it takes up to a week to ship a package through UPS on average.
To ship a parcel domestically via UPS, you may opt for economy services such as UPS Ground. This will cost you up to $300, with a delivery time of 3-4 business days. On the other hand, priority services such as UPS 2nd Day Air or Next Day Air will cost you $400-$600. To find the best delivery prices, use the UPS shipping calculator.
Shipping a 20-pound package from the US to the UK through UPS Worldwide Expedited, Saver, or Express ranges from $200 to $600. The delivery time for these services can go up to five business days. Use the UPS shipping calculator for the best delivery prices.
Widely known in the US
Cost-effective
Poor tracking service as compared to DHL
For domestic shipping, you will see UPS Ground offering its services at around $100-$200 to ship a package of 20 pounds from Virginia to Texas. This shipping cost is far cheaper than DHL’s service, costing about $500 to ship to the same location. You can use the shipping calculator to estimate the delivery cost. Hence, if you’re looking for a budget-friendly option, then UPS is for you.
However, the prices tend to vary with the shipment’s weight. It is also to be noted that the delivery time of UPS Ground is about four business days. So if your need to have the package delivered is urgent, it's preferable to choose a priority service instead.
Overall, DHL has a vast shipping network worldwide as its services are widely spread to even nations such as North Korea. This advantage makes DHL better than UPS on an international scale.
On the other hand, UPS has a prominent presence in the US for its affordable services, so it might be a better option for domestic shipping.
To sum it up, it all comes down to personal preference. Choose the carrier that meets your shipping requirements and offers affordable delivery quotes. Also, remember to never compromise on the handling services.
