The best shipping services for small business in 2021

At a glance

As the inventor of the air express business in 1969, today, DHL is a powerhouse. It is equipped to successfully work with multiple sectors, including the most sensitive ones, like chemicals, energy, healthcare, and technology. With over 431 million shipments each year to over 220 countries, DHL manages 84,000 DHL service points and over 360 TAPA-certified facilities for cargo safety with over 260 aircraft, 36,300 vehicles, 3,200 aircraft and over 3,200 flights per day. DHL also offers green logistics to reduce emissions, thereby minimizing your footprint through eco-friendly shipping solutions.

DHL works with customers and packages of all sizes. Businesses with less than 250 people are considered a Small or Medium Enterprise (SME), perfect for small businesses in need of domestic and international shipping services. DHL has shipping solutions with available air, ocean, road, and rail services. If you need freight shipping, DHL can accommodate all cargo types, including pallets and containers. There is end-to-end tracking so you can keep tabs on your shipment every step of the way.  Businesses can also enjoy popular digital integrations, including Shopify, Adobe Commerce, WooCommerce, and PrestaShop, allowing seamless transition from sales to shipping. For even more support, several exporting resources are available through DHL's joint partnership with the U.S. Commercial Service (USCS) from the Department of Commerce.

Pros:

• Services over 220 countries

• Multiple freight shipping options

• U.S. Chamber of Commerce partnership for educational resources 

Cons:

• Several fees and surcharges may apply

• Limited U.S. presence

• Pricey shipping costs

Estimated shipping timelines

Pricing for shipping is based on several factors, including shipping destination, export or import rating zone, and weight of your shipment. However, a DHL Express business account can receive up to 30% off regular shipping prices. 

There are several plans available for small business shipping needs:

At a glance

Established in 1973, FedEx is one of the largest shipping services in the U.S. It ships to more than 220 countries and territories with over 570,000 team members and more than 40,000 convenient drop boxes. In fact, FedEx makes it very easy to ship your packages with several locations that can assist with packing and international shipping. You have your choice of the local FedEx Office, FedEx Ship Center, FedEx Authorized ShipCenter®, Office Depot and OfficeMax. There are also self-service options that include FedEx drop boxes, as well as one-time and recurring pickup services.

For international shipping, you can calculate quotes online, plus benefit from virtual customer support. When you open a new FedEx account, you can receive up to 60% off eligible shipments with flat-rate shipping for smaller packages. FedEx has a simple system for returns with customizable return labels and print or email distribution. You can also use the FedEx International Shipping Assist tool to streamline your shipping logistics with a tool to calculate duties and taxes.

Pros:

• Additional member discounts

• Multiple chat support options

• Easy online account management

Cons:

• Pricey for small shipments

• Prone to shipping delays

• Charges for pickups

Estimated shipping timelines

FedEx has several shipping options that you can choose from:

At a glance

Sendle is a newer service, having been established in 2014, but it has grown quickly, thanks to an all-in-one approach to its shipping service. Because it partners with so many shipping services, Sendle is able to offer bulk discounts commonly reserved for high-volume companies. However, as a company based in Australia, Sendle does not offer international shipments from the U.S. Instead, you can ship across the U.S., as well as Alaska, Hawaii, and Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Shipments are also available to P.O. Boxes and domestic military bases.

Sendle offers simple management for all of your shipments. To calculate pricing, you can use the online quoting tool for easy estimates. There is also the ability to schedule and book online, as well as label printing and scheduling for free pickups. Several integrations are available, including Shopify, eBay, WooCommerce, Etsy, and ShipStation for advanced management and tools. Pricing begins at $2.45 for flat-rate domestic shipping that is also carbon neutral. Sendle claims that its prices are up to 79% off normal retail rates. There is also the added benefit is Sendle Cover -- a free insurance protection that covers lost goods up to $150. 

Pros:

• Partners with multiple services

• Free shipping pickups

• Carbon-neutral shipping

Cons:

• Based in Australia

• No international shipping from the U.S.

• Smaller service

Estimated shipping timelines and pricing

Sendle offers three plans, Standard, Premium, and Pro, which feature special rates based on total volume. There is upfront, detailed rate information based on size and destination. Regardless, there are no contracts, hidden fees, or membership requirements.

At a glance

Like Sendle, ShipBob was established in 2014. Over 900 employees service ShipBob's headquarters and fulfillment centers with over 5,200 e-commerce business accounts. It partners with companies like UPS, FedEx, DHL, and USPS to ship worldwide. By using ShipBob's services, the company claims you can increase your average order value by 97% while saving your team an estimated 120 hours per week. It also claims to reduce cart abandonment by 18% while reducing your bottom line with 13% savings.

ShipBob works differently than most other services because it combines fulfillment services with shipping. It has taken a page out of Amazon's book by combining inventory management with order fulfillment and shipping services. As a global logistics platform, it can store inventory so that when your customers place an order, ShipBob can fulfill them, packing them with 99.95% accuracy before shipment. It also boasts a 99.96% success rate for on-time shipments. With this support, the staff is free to focus on other parts of the business. ShipBob will even track the order until it is received so any issues can be handled immediately. There is also available order management software, allowing you to manage subscriptions, adjust orders, and change shipping options.

Pros:

• Flexible rates

• Additional inventory tools

• Easy integration with Amazon

Cons:

• Confusing price structure

• Customer service outsourced

• Lengthy resolution process

Estimated shipping timelines and pricing

ShipBob ships worldwide to over 220 countries and territories with international fulfillment centers in Canada, the UK, Australia, and Europe. ShipBob's algorithm searches ground, air, and regional carriers to find the best delivery rates to meet your schedule. For domestic shipping, there is ShipBob's 2-Day Express Shipping Program, which offers a standard 2-day shipping for your orders. Returns incur a $3 processing fee for every returned order. Labels are additional and may be provided independently or purchased from ShipBob. 

If you prefer a self-service program, the Growth plan is available for shipments of 400 or less each month.

At a glance

UPS is one of the best business shipping services in the U.S. and also one of the most popular. A number of services are available, including e-commerce, order fulfillment and international shipping. One standout feature about UPS is its free virtual brainstorming session, which is offered by the UPS small business solutions team. It makes it easy to set up and streamline your business operations to offer the best shipping services.

You can test-drive additional services, like a 60-day free trial for UPS eFulfillment. This allows for easier inventory management and shipping, integrating with more than 21 platforms. Several other types of support are available, as well: 

• UPS My Choice® features an interactive dashboard detailing estimated delivery times and critical notifications regarding both inbound and outbound shipments. 

• UPS Mail Innovations is an affordable solution for a large volume of letters and lightweight packages.

• WorldShip® is great to streamline high-volume shipping.

• UPS Import Control® allows you to track and manage international shipments.

• UPS CampusShip® allows your employees to access shipping with an easy web-based platform.

• MyFreight helps you ship and track truckload shipments.

• ConnectShip allows for integrated, multi-carrier shipping solutions for more intricate needs.

Your local UPS store can help with everything from packing and package receiving to notary services. There is also a 30% discount for online printing projects, like business cards, mailers, and brochures.

Pro:

• Helpful tracking tools

• Affordable for heavy items

• Small business tools

Cons:

• Can have added fees

• No free pickup services

• Extra charges for weekend delivery

Estimated shipping timelines and pricing

2021 UPS Rates are incredibly detailed with domestic shipping timelines and small business payment solutions. 

Shipping by air is available in three options: overnight, two-day, and three-day delivery.

International shipping is also available with several options:

At a glance

USPS has small business solutions that go beyond the typical shipping service, such as USPS Loyalty Rewards. Shipping is easy with the Click-N-Ship® service that creates labels for Priority Mail® and Priority Mail Express® packages. With Click-N-Ship® Business Pro, you can use exclusive USPS desktop software to make domestic and international shipments totaling 10 or more.  There are additional integration and reporting features so you can see your company's performance over time.

Businesses have the option to reserve a dedicated PO Box, and there is also a free shipment pickup that can be scheduled in advance using the easy online interface. Meanwhile, your business has the opportunity to earn loyalty reward credits on the shipments you make anyway. There are also marketing support services. An example is USPS Marketing Mail, which arms you with the tools to elevate your company's direct-mail initiatives through the Every Door Direct Mail® (EDDM®) and Direct Mail Advertising programs. Also available are Business Solutions Associates that can ship you a starter kit and work with you to create the right program for your company's specific shipping needs. 

Pros:

• Can add mailbox or PO box rental

• Automatic address verification

• Free Flat Rate boxes and supplies

Cons:

• Minimal tracking tools 

• Pricey for international shipping

• Transit times are often longer

Estimated shipping timelines and pricing

USPS provides a clear-cut estimated timeline for several types of deliveries. Rate details are available in the in-depth price schedule: