Especially in E-commerce, it is apparent how customer expectations regarding their shipments are constantly rising. So it isn't a surprise that 46% of consumers abandon online shopping carts if the shipping time was too long or wasn't provided. Still, at the same time, 88% of consumers are willing to pay more for faster delivery. Providing options for your customers is essential. Still, to do so, you need to understand available express shipping options first.

International Shipments

FedEx and TNT

FedEx and TNT are specialised in International Shipments. Especially when shipping to the US, these couriers are often the most cost-efficient way. FedEx's Express service is called "International priority express". It takes about 1 to 3 days to arrive, with next-day services available to the US, Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean. 

TNT, which will soon become FedEx Express, offers Global Express and Economy Express options. While Global Express can even take 2 - 4 days to arrive, Economy Express can even take up to 5-6 days or longer when shipping to remote areas.

DHL International

The one international express service DHL has to offer is DHL Express Worldwide. With a standard delivery time of 2-4 days. Especially in remote areas like Australia, it can take up to a week for the parcel to arrive, even with the Express service.

UPS International

Other than DHL, UPS offers two different international express services called "Express" and "Express Savor"; however, they are relatively similar to DHL's ones in their delivery time. The standard delivery time is about 2-4 days, while shipments to the US, Canada or Mexico only take two days. When shipping to more remote areas, UPS, as well as DHL, can take up to a week regardless of which one of their services you are using.  

European Shipments

FedEx and TNT

FedEx and TNT do not see a difference between an international shipment or a shipment within Europe which is why FedEx and TNT are only advisable when shipping internationally, especially when shipping to the US or Canada.

DHL Europe

The service you would use to send a parcel via DHL to Australia is the same one you would want to use for shipments to and from Europe. Instead of taking 2-4 days, shipping to Europe from the UK only takes 1-2 days.

UPS Europe

UPS, again with the same services you would use to ship parcels internationally, offers a next day service to most destinations in Europe. The UPS Express service even guarantees a delivery until noon the next day when shipping within Europe.

Evri and DPD

Other couriers like Evri or DPD offer European shipments, but only as a standard shipment. While DPD advertises a delivery time of 2-3 days when shipping within Europe, Evri doesn't offer an estimated delivery time, which advises against Evri when shipping within Europe.

Domestic Shipments

Even though FedEx and TNT don't offer UK domestic shipments, you still have plenty of choices when shipping within the UK.

DHL Domestic

DHL parcel alone, the daughter group of DHL responsible for UK Domestic express shipments, offers 12 different domestic express services. Each of them is a next day delivery service, with some even guaranteeing the parcel to arrive within a specific timeframe.

DHL Parcel offers, for example:

• Express UK AM

• Express UK 10:30 am

• Express UK 9 am

Saturday deliveries can be chosen within a timeframe, so DHL Parcel offer a choice if you want the parcel to arrive before 9 am, before 10:30 am, or just anytime on Saturday.

When you need your delivery to arrive within a specific timeframe, DHL parcel is your way to go.

UPS Domestic

While DHL has its own services for domestic express shipments, UPS uses the same services they use in Europe and internationally for shipments within the UK. With all domestic shipments being a next day delivery service, UPS guarantees delivery by the end of the next working day. However, UPS does not offer Saturday deliveries or deliveries within a specific timeframe. UPS only gives an estimate of when the parcel will arrive. 

Evri

Evri, formerly known as Hermes, made a name for itself for being the cheapest solution for businesses that ship many small, low-value parcels. While Evri doesn't advertise with an Express service per se, they offer services such as UK 24 or UK 48 that have your package delivered within 24 or 48 hours. These are mainly available in big cities.

CitySprint

The only same-day delivery service City Sprint made its name by offering pick up and drop off's within the same day, sometimes even within just a few hours. With City Sprint, you don't pay for the parcel but the van needed by the delivery driver. 

City sprint offers: 

• Small Van

• Large Van

• Priority Van

• Priority Transit

It doesn't matter if the delivery consists of one letter or five boxes, as long as the Van size stays the same, the price and delivery time will too.

Pallets

Palletways

Palletways has the most choice regarding their delivery times when shipping via express delivery. All deliveries are next day deliveries with different time slots:

• Next day by 21:00

• Next day by 17:00

• Next day by 13:00-17:00

• Or next day times delivery.

However, Palletways only sends pallets within the UK.

Pallex

Similar to pallet ways, pallex also only offers express services within the UK.

Here you can choose from:

• AM next day

• AM specific times

• Overnight/Next Day

• And Saturday A.M.

If you need to ship pallets internationally, Freight companies can help. 

The shipping time of freight services are dependent on loads of different factors. Making an estimate would not be appropriate. 

If you need to send pallets or freight internationally, the World Options dedicated Freight team can help you find the best and fastest services with the best rates from major freight companies like Kuehne und Nagel or Exfreight.

Summary

Every shipment is different. So it's not surprising that there are loads of express shipping options to choose from. You could generally calculate with about 2-4 days for international shipments, 1-3 days for European shipments and a next day delivery for domestic shipments.

However, rates and services can change drastically within seconds. Keep up to date with quote changes, save time and money, and make informed choices using World Options.  

Add the address and parcel details and World Options shows you the best rates from all mentioned carriers in one window. When you decide on a quote with the best delivery time, price and service offerings, simply press book, and your parcels are on their way.