Complete Step-by-Step Guide to Overnight Shipping

Every single day more products are being uploaded to websites and online marketplaces for customers to purchase. And with the ever-increasing range, type, and volume of products on the up, the expectation for receiving orders in short delivery windows is growing too. 

Before, 2-3 days from order to delivery was pretty fast. With the rise of services like Amazon Prime and other overnight shipping options, next-day delivery has become the fastest and most readily available option, guaranteeing that customers receive their packages the following day. The process behind an order being purchased, picked, processed, shipped, and delivered within 24 years has to be watertight. 

To ensure packages arrive within 24 hours, there are a number of considerations to ensure you are providing a premium shipping experience for your customers. Perhaps you are looking at all your shipping options and want to decide what is financially viable to offer? Maybe you are looking at options to entice customers to buy their products from your website vs a competitor’s and the best way to do that could be offering next day shipping. 

Whatever your focus is, we’ve pulled together some tips and tricks to help you weigh up the best way to satisfy customer expectations while not breaking the bank. 

In this guide 

• What is overnight shipping?

• Who offers overnight shipping? 

• What are the cheapest options? 

• Benefits 

• The process of overnight shipping

• Tips for sending your packages 

What is overnight shipping? 

Sometimes it is called ‘overnight shipping’ and other times it is known as ‘next-day delivery’ but the short answer is, they are the same thing. It means once the order is purchased and made, the package will arrive at the customer’s address the day after it is ordered. 

This delivery option is proving popular with customers who need a package to arrive within 24 hours. However, the price of such delivery does carry a larger price tag than more standard delivery options. So, if your customer does not need it urgently or the type of product can be sent over a few days without spoiling, this is a cheaper option. 

Courier services, however, do have cutoff times so that they have enough time to process and deliver the package right on time, so be sure to check out the determined delivery dates and timings and clarify to your customers. For example, if they order something at 5PM, it will not arrive the next day. And similarly, if they order on a Saturday, it will not arrive on the Sunday - unless a specific Saturday or Sunday service has been selected. 

Who offers overnight shipping? 

The largest shipping giants in the U.S. all offer overnight shipping, and there are some differences in what the services offer and what time they will guarantee delivery by. 

For example, UPS offers three overnight shipping services in the US: 

1. UPS Next Day Air Early: Packages can be delivered as early as 8AM

2. UPS Next Day Air: Packages can be delivered by 10AM

3. UPS Next Day Air Saver: Packages can be delivered by 3PM

USPS offers: 

• USPS Priority Mail Express by 6PM

USPS Priority Mail Express Flat Rate by 6PM FedEx also offers overnight shipping services in the US. For packages weighing less than 150lbs, you can send through: 

1. FedEx First OvernightⓇ: Packages can be delivered next-business-day by 9:30AM

2. FedEx Priority OvernightⓇ: Packages can be delivered next-business-day by 10:30AM

3. FedEx Standard Overnight: Packages can be delivered next-business-day by 4:30PM 

What are the cheapest options? 

When it comes to final pricing for shipping, it all depends on the dimension and weight of the package, and the shipping zones, speed of delivery, and carrier agreement designed to get the package from A to B. 

If we take a general look at UPS, USPS, and FedEx, you can first get an idea of when the package will arrive and whether weekend pick up and delivery is available.

UPS 

Pricing is not universally available due to the variety of factors involved, so for a more accurate quote and assessment, UPS have created a tool to calculate time and cost to help. 

USPS 

With so much ground to cover in the United States alone, USPS have a comprehensive guide to rates depending on whether you are sending a letter, a 5lb package, or a 36lb package. Simply locate the area you are shipping to, the weight of the package, and how quickly you want to send to get a clearer idea of what it will set you back. 

FEDEX 

Whether it is a letter or a large bulk of parcels you are shipping, for the most accurate pricing FedEx recommends using their Shipping Rate Calculator, as pricing varies wildly depending on what you are sending, where, and when it needs to get there. 

Shipping by air is much faster but it is more expensive and some customers will not want to pay the price. With prices for the various providers starting from $31, it all boils down to the weight of the package, the distance it is traveling, and when it needs to arrive. 

*pricing links accurate as of August 2024 

The benefits of overnight shipping

1. Fast delivery- More businesses are offering overnight shipping so customers can receive their orders quickly and when they are expecting 

2. Happy customers! As a result, standard shipping timelines may have satisfied customers in the past, but with so many expecting faster deliveries for particular items, if your business is known for speedy delivery, this will be great for your reputation

3. More repeat customers - With happy customers comes increased trust and repeat custom. This will increase sales and revenue, and not only encourage future orders from existing customers but also from the people they tell about it too 

How the overnight shipping process works

It always feels a bit like magic when a delivery arrives, as a customer. But for you and your courier partners, there are a lot of logistics that go on behind the scenes to ensure the packages arrive when and where they are supposed to. 

1. Order is placed ahead of the overnight delivery cut-off

Once a customer has added to cart and gone through the payment process, it’s time for the processing, picking and packing before the sending, pick up, and delivery part of the process. The cutoff times for your courier partner vary depending on the service and location, checking in with the company for specific details is key to ensuring a smooth process. 

Being super clear with your web copy about any cutoff days and times can help reduce any risk of customer disappointment. 

2. Package is prepared for courier pick up

This may be down to you, your team, or if you are using a fulfillment partner, they will prepare the overnight delivery for pick up ahead of the cut-off. This is where the package is secured and the shipping label is printed. Because time is of the essence for these packages, the label will typically state they are for overnight shipping, to ensure nothing gets missed. 

4. The courier collects and processes the parcel

The package is then sorted, processed, and with other overnight parcels it will be shipped en route to its destination. The package will then be sent to the closest hub to the customer’s delivery address. This is typically where the customer, if this is a feature of their service, will be notified that their package has been collected and picked up.

4. Out for delivery!

Your customer will be notified that the package will arrive that day, when expected. Depending on which courier you choose to send with, packages can arrive at the final destination as early as 8AM or as late as 6PM. 

That’s it! Your customer receives their order and all going well, will happily rate your service and even buy with you again in future. 

Sending your package off with overnight delivery 

1. Choose your shipping carrier

2. Check the availability and that they offer overnight shipping 

3. Check the cutoffs and policies around size/weight 

4. Prepare your package - secure and seal/print the label 

5. Drop off

6. Track

7. Delivery!

Tips for sending your packages

To set your business up for success and ensure your customer receives their package when they expect to, there are a few things you can do to ensure a smooth customer experience: 

• Be clear with customers on the cutoff time - this will ensure you have enough time to process the orders your side before the courier’s next-day cutoff time 

• Consider the weather which might cause delays (though out of your control, something to consider communicating with customers in big storms or natural disasters)

• Factor in holidays and weekends - not all services offer Saturday delivery, and for Sunday services, you will need to find Sunday-specific offerings 

• Ensure the package is properly packaged up and has a clear label on the outside 

• Prepare to ship your package in the day ahead of the cutoff times 

• Operate from multiple warehouses to help increase the speed of warehouse-to-doorstep 

Work with credible partners who you can trust to provide your customer with the best delivery experience 

While ground shipping could take up to 3 business days to arrive, overnight and next day delivery has transformed the way customers order and receive their packages, and for you and your business - how they are processed. Some shipping services are better for heavy packages over long distances, others are a better choice for sending affordable lighter packages. 

Being clear on your timings and policy will ensure there is less risk of customer dissatisfaction when it comes to receiving their orders quickly and when they expect to.