Standard shipping is the baseline delivery option most customers expect—and merchants often offer—because it balances cost, delivery speed and reliability. But what is standard shipping in practical terms?
This guide breaks down everything you need to know about the most common delivery option so you can make confident choices for your business or personal orders.
What Is Standard Shipping?
At its core, standard shipping meaning is simple: it’s the baseline delivery method offered by sellers for moving parcels without premium surcharges. Under the hood, standard delivery typically uses ground transport – trucks and trains for domestic routes, relying on consolidated air or sea freight for international ones.
Unlike expedited or express services, standard shipping balances speed, delivery time, and cost, making it the go-to for non-urgent items. Retailers label it differently -“standard shipping” or “ground shipping” – but the principle remains: moderate transit times at rates lower than air-based options. Some retailers sometimes label this “economy,” but true economy tiers may sacrifice tracking or extend delivery far beyond the standard shipping time windows.
Here are the major US carriers and their standard services include:
- USPS Ground Advantage
- UPS Ground
- FedEx Ground
- DHL eCommerce
Carrier Breakdown: USPS, UPS, FedEx & DHL
What Is USPS Standard Shipping?
Standard shipping USPS service – Ground Advantage, moves packages in 2–5 business days to every U.S. address, including PO Boxes and military APO/FPO destinations. It provides USPS standard shipping time, includes USPS Tracking, free package pickup, and $100 liability coverage. Ground Advantage is ideal for small parcels, items, and shipments where cost outweighs speed.
What Is UPS Standard Shipping?
UPS’s standard ground shipping option, UPS Ground, delivers in 1–5 business days, depending on the destination zone. It features real-time tracking updates, delivery alerts for most shipments. An extensive ground network and predictable transit times make it a go-to for heavier packages or consistent regional shipping needs.
What Is FedEx Standard Shipping?
FedEx Ground mirrors UPS Ground’s 1–5-day transit commitment, with robust tracking and day-definite delivery. The FedEx Ground service to residential addresses is called FedEx Home, but has the same characteristics. FedEx also offers International Economy for cross-border shipping, blending cost savings with reliable customs handling, with standard international shipping time of 7–30 days
What Is DHL eCommerce Standard Shipping?
DHL’s eCommerce standard service operates in select domestic markets (e.g., U.S., Germany), with 3–8 business day delivery. It leverages DHL’s global e-commerce network, providing tracking and basic liability coverage. For international shipments, DHL Express Worldwide offers faster options, while the eCommerce remains an affordable baseline for domestic sellers.
How Long Does Standard Shipping Take? Comparative table
| Service | Transit Time |
| USPS Ground Advantage | 2–5 business days (domestic) [1] |
| UPS Ground | 1–5 business days (domestic) [2] |
| FedEx Ground | 1–5 business days (domestic). For Alaska and Hawaii, 3–7 business days. [3] |
| DHL eCommerce | 3–8 business days (domestic in select markets) [4] |
Knowing how long standard shipping takes helps you set realistic delivery promises. If your goods aren’t time-sensitive, standard shipping is the sweet spot between speed and cost.
How Much Is Standard Shipping?
Below is a relative cost comparison for a typical 1 lb parcel shipped domestically. Actual rates vary by weight, dimensions, and zone.
| Carrier | Cost Tier | Tracking & Insurance |
| USPS Ground Advantage | $ (Lowest) | Full tracking; $100 insurance included |
| UPS Ground | $$ (Mid) | Detailed tracking; $100 insurance; more cost effective for heavier packages |
| FedEx Ground | $$ (Mid) | Detailed tracking; $100 insurance; more cost effective for heavier packages |
| DHL eCommerce | $$ (Mid) | Tracking; limited insurance; strong global network |
OrderCup Tip: Standard shipping services through OrderCup could be up to 90% cheaper, depending on the carrier, enabling you to offer competitive or even free standard delivery without sacrificing margin.
Standard Shipping vs Other Shipping Methods
Economy vs Standard Shipping
The difference between standard and economy delivery makes every retailer think twice about their choice. Economy shipping is the absolute lowest-cost tier, often routed through slower lanes, with limited tracking and reduced liability. Economy shipping may have a delivery time of up to 10–14 days. Standard shipping, by contrast, offers full end-to-end tracking, basic insurance, and delivery windows typically under 6 days for domestic shipments in the US. Choose economy only when price is the sole driver; opt for standard if you need reliability and visibility.
Standard vs Expedited Shipping
Expedited services (e.g., UPS 3 Day Select, FedEx Express Saver) move parcels by air to cut delivery to 1–3 days. These options carry premium standard shipping price markups—often 1.5–4× the cost of standard. Reserve expedited for perishable goods or critical, time-sensitive orders. For routine shipments, standard shipping delivers predictable outcomes at a lower cost.
Ground vs Standard Shipping
In carrier terminology, “ground” and “standard shipping” are nearly synonymous for domestic services, although ground implies it is being transported ‘over the ground’. Both use land transport networks and adhere to the same rates and transit times. When you compare ground vs standard shipping, focus instead on service features—like Saturday delivery options, insurance levels, rates, and tracking granularity—to choose the best fit.
Is Standard Shipping the Best Option for Your Ecommerce Business?
For most merchants, domestic standard shipping represents the sweet spot: predictable transit, built-in tracking, and moderate costs. However, businesses shipping high-value electronics or time-sensitive promotional kits might layer in expedited options.
OrderCup’s price comparison engine allows you to compare standard USPS, UPS, and FedEx rates and applies negotiated discounts, so you can offer free or flat-rate standard delivery without eroding profit margins.
Our Rate Comparator also lets you compare shipping costs based on class of service: Standard, Expedited, and Express, so you can choose the most cost-effective option for each order.
By blending standard and expedited offerings, you give customers choice and maintain healthy shipping margins.
FAQs: What Is Standard Shipping
Does standard shipping include weekends?
Most standard services exclude weekends; Saturday delivery may require an added fee.
How long is standard shipping on Amazon?
Amazon Standard Shipping often arrives within 4–6 business days, though Prime members see faster delivery times, usually within 2 days.
What is better, ground or standard shipping?
They’re functionally the same—choose based on carrier terminology and any service-level nuances.
Does Standard Shipping Have Tracking?
Yes, most major carriers include tracking with their standard or ground services.
Should I offer free standard shipping?
Free standard shipping can increase sales, but it may reduce profits. You can protect margins by setting a minimum order amount for free shipping or by slightly raising product prices to cover the cost.
Is It Okay to Use Economy Shipping but Call It Standard?
Clarity is key. If you brand ‘Economy Shipping’ as ‘Standard Shipping’, ensure you deliver on the promised timeline to avoid customer confusion.