What Is Expedited Shipping? The Complete Guide

When your customers shop for products on your store, they typically expect fast shipping. Customers don’t want to wait for too long to get the products they’ve paid for. In fact, according to a survey cited by eMarketer, the most commonly-cited “acceptable timeframe” for order shipping was three days (by 24% of survey respondents). The next most acceptable timeframe for shipping was two days (19% of respondents).

Faster shipping means packages arriving sooner rather than later—which makes for happier customers. So, when many customers shop for items that they want to arrive as soon as possible, they look for an “express” or expedited shipping option.

What is expedited shipping? How much does expedited shipping cost? Can you offer expedited shipping to your customers without breaking the bank?

What Is Expedited Shipping?

Expedited shipping is an optional shipping service that some carriers offer that reduces the time it takes for a package to arrive at its intended destination—in exchange for some nominal fee. Different carriers may apply different names to this service, such as calling it “priority mail.”

Some carriers use the term “express shipping” synonymously with “expedited shipping,” while others use the terms to refer to different levels of service.

When comparing expedited shipping vs standard shipping, the two primary differences are delivery speed and the cost of shipping. Expedited shipping costs are almost always higher than standard shipping costs because of the extra measures the carrier has to take to speed up the delivery process. However, many customers are willing to pay the premium to get the expedited shipping time so they don’t have to wait for slower shipping methods.

The actual time it takes for a package to arrive via expedited shipping vs standard shipping can vary based on how far it needs to travel and whether it’s crossing any national borders. Even an “expedited” package may languish in customs between countries. Generally speaking, expedited shipping can take a shipment time of around five days and reduce it to two or three—however, this will vary from one carrier to the next and it may also depend on the shipping zones your expedited packages cross.

Expedited Shipping vs Other Shipping Options

Expedited vs Standard Shipping

Standard shipping is usually the slowest parcel option a carrier offers. For many domestic services, this can mean anywhere from three to seven business days or more, depending on the service level and the distance between the origin and destination.

Expedited shipping simply means “faster than your standard option.” In practice, that often translates into delivery within one to three business days for many domestic shipments, although every carrier defines it slightly differently.

It is also important to remember that most carriers calculate shipping time from the moment the order is dispatched, not from the moment your customer checks out. Warehouse processing time, weekends, and holidays can all add extra days if you do not set a clear cut-off time for same-day dispatch.

Expedited vs Express and Priority Shipping

Carriers and retailers also use “express” and “priority” to describe faster services, but these labels do not always mean the same thing.

In some networks, “express” is reserved for the fastest options, such as next-day or two-day services, while “expedited” covers anything that is faster than standard but not necessarily overnight. In other cases, the two terms are used interchangeably and the only thing that really matters is the promised delivery date displayed at checkout.

“Priority” is often used for services that move ahead of standard mail in the carrier’s network, but may still be slightly slower or more flexible than their fastest express offerings. For example, some postal operators use “Priority” as a premium two-to-three-day option, while keeping a separate, guaranteed overnight or one-to-two-day express tier.

Because terminology is so inconsistent, the best practice for ecommerce brands is to focus on setting clear expectations for customers: show an estimated delivery date range instead of assuming shoppers understand the difference between “expedited,” “express,” and “priority.”

Expedited vs Economy or Saver Shipping

At the other end of the spectrum are economy or saver services. These options prioritize cost over speed, often using slower ground networks or more indirect routing to minimize transportation expense. It is not unusual for economy deliveries to take a week or more to arrive, especially across multiple shipping zones or during peak season.

Expedited services sit between economy and the very fastest express offerings. They cost more than economy and standard shipping, but they offer a much tighter, more predictable delivery window. This makes them a useful tool when you want to give customers a choice between “lowest cost” and “fastest reasonable” without defaulting to the most expensive option available.

How Much Does Expedited Shipping Cost?

One of the biggest concerns when using expedited shipping options is the cost involved. So, a common question that ecommerce entrepreneurs and their customers have is: “What will expedited shipping cost me?”

Unfortunately, there isn’t an easy answer to this question. Why? Because there are too many variables, such as the specific carrier used, the weight of the package, the shipping zones the package needs to cross, and when the parcel is delivered (some carriers offer Sunday delivery at an additional cost).

Here are a few expedited shipping cost examples from different carriers:

This is not a comprehensive chart—it simply lists one of the express delivery options from each carrier. The minimum costs listed assume only a single “shipping zone,” so longer distance shipments may cost more than the rates stated here. Additionally, carriers may assess additional surcharges based on the items being shipped or other issues that may impact a package’s deliverability.

Why Offering Expedited Shipping Matters For Your Brand

Reducing Cart Abandonment

Shipping is one of the most common reasons shoppers abandon a cart. When customers reach checkout and only see slow or unclear options, they are more likely to leave and look for a faster alternative. By offering at least one clearly labeled expedited option, you give customers who are on a deadline a reason to stay and complete their purchase instead of going to a marketplace or competitor with faster delivery.

Meeting Modern Customer Expectations

Large marketplaces have trained shoppers to expect fast, reliable delivery as a standard part of the ecommerce experience. Even if you cannot offer two-day shipping on every single order, having an expedited option in your mix signals that you take speed seriously. It helps your brand stay competitive against bigger players and makes it easier to run campaigns or promotions where delivery time is part of the promise.

Strengthening Loyalty & Lifetime Value

When orders arrive earlier than expected and in good condition, customers remember it. Fast, predictable delivery builds trust, which is essential if you want shoppers to come back, join your loyalty program, or recommend you to others. On the other hand, slow or unreliable shipping can quickly lead to negative reviews and lost repeat business. Offering expedited shipping where it makes sense helps protect the customer experience you worked hard to create on your website and in your marketing.

When Should You Use Expedited Shipping?

Time-Sensitive Orders & Firm Deadlines

Expedited shipping is most valuable when timing really matters. This includes orders tied to specific events or dates, such as holidays, product launches, live events, or limited-time campaigns. In these cases, the cost of a late delivery can easily outweigh the extra fee for faster shipping. Offering an expedited option helps you serve customers who are shopping at the last minute and still need their order to arrive on time.

High-Value or High-Impact Shipments

Some orders have a bigger impact on your business than others. High-value carts, first-time purchases from a new market, or shipments to key influencers and partners can all be strong candidates for expedited shipping. Faster delivery can increase the perceived value of your brand and reduce the risk of friction in moments where you want everything to go smoothly. In some situations, absorbing the cost of expedited shipping on these orders can be a strategic investment in long-term customer value.

Customer Experience Recovery & VIP Orders

Expedited shipping is also a powerful way to rescue a poor experience. If an order was delayed, misrouted, or arrived damaged, upgrading the replacement shipment to an expedited service can help you turn a negative interaction into a positive one. The same applies to VIP or loyalty customers: offering them faster shipping on select orders can act as a simple but effective perk that reinforces the relationship.

How Does Expedited Shipping Work?

Priority Handling In The Warehouse

When an order is marked for expedited shipping, it is usually prioritized from the moment it appears in your fulfillment system. Warehouse teams pick and pack these orders ahead of standard shipments, and they are typically assigned to earlier cut-off times to ensure they make the right outbound carrier trailers. This added focus on speed helps protect the promised delivery date and reduces the risk that an order misses its intended departure window.

Faster Linehaul & Fewer Touchpoints

Expedited shipments often move through a carrier’s network in a more direct way. Depending on the service, they may travel by air instead of ground, be loaded on faster linehaul routes, or pass through fewer intermediate hubs before reaching the final delivery station. Reducing the number of touchpoints can also lower the chances of a package being delayed, sorted incorrectly, or damaged in transit.

What Changes For Your Operations

Supporting expedited shipping is not just about choosing a faster label at the last moment. It requires clear cut-off times, accurate inventory data, and systems that route orders to the right fulfillment locations quickly. It also means planning labor so your team can handle priority orders without disrupting the rest of your volume. When these pieces work together, expedited shipments move through your operation in a predictable, repeatable way rather than as one-off exceptions.

Fast Distributed Fulfillment Without Expedited Shipping Costs

Why Distance Still Drives Delivery Speed

No matter which shipping service you choose, distance is still one of the biggest drivers of both transit time and cost. The more shipping zones a package has to cross, the more you will pay and the longer it is likely to take. By positioning inventory closer to your customers, you can reach more destinations in one to three days using standard ground services instead of relying exclusively on premium expedited tiers.

Blending Standard & Expedited Services

A distributed fulfillment strategy allows you to combine fast standard services with expedited options in a way that protects both speed and margins. Many everyday orders can ship from the nearest fulfillment center using ground services and still arrive quickly. Expedited labels are then reserved for edge cases, such as remote destinations, late-day orders that miss a cut-off, or time-critical shipments, rather than used by default. This blended approach gives customers consistently fast delivery while keeping your average shipping cost under control.

How The Fulfillment Lab Supports Distributed Fulfillment

The Fulfillment Lab operates multiple domestic and international fulfillment centers, which allows brands to place inventory closer to their customers and shorten delivery routes. By routing orders to the optimal location and pairing them with the right carrier service, you can often achieve “expedited-level” delivery times without paying expedited-only prices for every shipment. When you do need true expedited services, having a flexible network and established carrier relationships makes it easier to offer them reliably.

Tracking, Visibility & Customer Experience With Expedited Shipping

Tracking As Part Of The Promise

When a customer pays extra for speed, they also expect transparency. Most expedited services include end-to-end tracking as a standard feature, giving customers a clear view of where their package is and when it is expected to arrive. Providing a tracking link immediately after dispatch, and keeping that link easy to find, reassures customers that their order is moving through the network as promised.

Reducing “Where Is My Order?” Contacts

Good tracking does more than satisfy curiosity. It directly reduces “Where is my order?” contacts to your support team, especially for time-sensitive shipments. When customers can self-serve information about current status, delays, or delivery attempts, they are less likely to open tickets or escalate concerns. This is particularly important for expedited orders, where expectations are higher and uncertainty can quickly turn into frustration.

Turning Fast Delivery Into A Branded Experience

Expedited shipping is also an opportunity to reinforce your brand. Branded notification emails, consistent status updates, and thoughtful unboxing experiences all contribute to how customers remember their order. When your fulfillment and shipping experience feels cohesive, from the checkout promise through to the final delivery scan, it becomes much more than a transactional “rush fee.” It becomes part of how customers talk about your brand and why they choose to shop with you again.

Expedited International Shipping: 6 Ways To Reduce Costs

Depending on the distance and package weight/dimensions, expedited shipping can be a major cost. Being able to offer fast shipping to customers may be well worth paying a premium, however.

How can you offer expedited shipping to customers without it putting too big a dent in your operating expenses? Here are a few options to consider:

1. Pass The Bill Onto Customers

The simplest solution is to make expedited shipping optional for your customers and charge them whatever your carrier will charge you at checkout. It’s important to highlight that there will be a charge for expedited/express shipping from the carrier well before the customer reaches checkout if they opt for it. This may be the best option for packages with an especially high weight—and will likely be necessary for longer-range deliveries.

2. Limit Your Express Delivery Range

Making expedited or express delivery options only available to customers who would be in nearby shipping zones can help you limit the cost of expediting a package.

3. Offer Expedited Shipping On Lightweight Items Only

Instead of focusing on geography, try limiting expedited shipping to just your most lightweight products so the surcharge from the carrier isn’t too high. If you can, it may be helpful to create a list of “expedited shipping available” products that customers can order together.

4. Shop Around With Different Carriers

Different carriers have different express shipping options that you might want to use for your products. While many of the “broad strokes” of their expedited shipping services might be similar (for example, the UPS 2nd Day Air and FedEx 2Day services have similar speeds, costs, and dimension restrictions), there may be some differences in package tracking or other side services that may be better suited to you or your customers’ needs. Also, you may be able to negotiate a more favorable rate with one carrier in your region than another.

5. Consider Using Flat Rate Boxes If Available

Not every package you send via expedited shipping needs a custom shipping box. If you’re looking to save a bit on fast shipping, some carriers offer flat rate boxes that take some of the guesswork out of managing costs. However, the products you ship need to be able to fit in these boxes. Creating bundle deals of products that can neatly fit in your selected flat-rate box might be a good way to generate sales while making the most out of what you paid for the shipping!

6. Partner With An Experienced Fulfillment Center

Working alongside a professional fulfillment company can make a huge difference for your shipping speed and cost. Instead of having to work exclusively out of a single distribution center that may or may not be close to your customers, you can ship your products from the nearest fulfillment center (for example, The Fulfillment Lab has two domestic US and 12 international centers to help ensure fast delivery that doesn’t have to go through too many shipping zones). Fulfillment centers are also able to negotiate favorable rates with carriers to help you save on expedited shipping costs (which you can pass on to customers or add to your profits).

Do you want to conquer the market with fast, convenient fulfillment marketing and shipping options for your products? Do you want your products even faster to market with warehouse kitting services? Reach out to The Fulfillment Lab today to get started!

Expedited Shipping FAQs

What Is An Expedited Delivery Fee?

An expedited delivery fee is the extra charge applied when you request faster-than-standard shipping and the carrier prioritizes your package or load. It covers upgraded transport, faster handling, and fewer stops, among other service improvements.

Is Paying For Expedited Shipping Worth It?

Paying for expedited shipping can make sense when you need an item quickly - such as for perishable goods, high-value items, or a strict deadline. But if your delivery isn’t urgent, the extra cost may not be justified and you may not see full value from the faster service.

How Long Does Expedited Shipping Take?

Expedited shipping does not have a single universal time frame, because each carrier defines it differently. In general, expedited services are designed to deliver faster than standard options, often within one to three business days for domestic shipments, depending on distance and service level. Always check the estimated delivery dates provided at checkout rather than relying on the name of the service alone.

What Is Expedited International Shipping?

Expedited international shipping is a faster-than-standard service for cross-border deliveries. It aims to shorten transit times between countries, often by using priority air networks and faster routing. However, even with expedited international services, customs clearance, duties, and local delivery conditions can still add variability. It is important to set expectations by showing estimated delivery ranges and clarifying that customs processing is outside the carrier’s direct control.

Is Expedited Shipping The Same As Express Or Priority Shipping?

Not always. Some carriers and retailers use “expedited,” “express,” and “priority” interchangeably, while others reserve “express” for their very fastest options and use “priority” for premium but slightly slower services. Because naming conventions are inconsistent, the most reliable way to compare services is to look at the promised delivery dates and any guarantees, not just the label.

Does Expedited Shipping Include Tracking?

Most expedited services include tracking as a standard feature, and many also provide delivery confirmations and optional signature services. For ecommerce brands, sharing that tracking link promptly and keeping customers informed about their shipment’s progress is an essential part of delivering on the expedited promise.

How Can I Keep Expedited Shipping Costs Under Control?

You can manage expedited shipping costs by using it selectively, pairing it with distributed fulfillment, and designing clear thresholds. Storing inventory closer to customers allows you to use fast ground services for many orders instead of paying for premium express on every shipment. Combining this with strategies like minimum order values for free upgrades and careful carrier selection helps you offer speed where it matters most without eroding your margins.