For any start-up or small business, choosing cheaper shipping options such as economy shipping is crucial to maintain profits. There are many other factors to consider as well to save on shipping costs.
Let's dive in.
Economy shipping is typically the cheapest shipping option provided by carriers for your packages. It is also usually the slowest, so it's best to use it for non-urgent deliveries and inform your customers accordingly. Note that some shipping providers refer to economy shipping as standard or ground shipping.
Most customers and businesses choose this shipping option because it can help them save more. It allows them to allocate the remaining budget from the money they save from shipping to the other aspects of the business, such as marketing and admin tasks.
On a side note, when choosing this shipping service, you should not expect the parcel to arrive at lightning speed like Priority Mail or Priority Mail Express. It will take a few days to a week for the goods to arrive at their destination, depending on the geographical location and season.
So, you'll need to contact your customers and inform them about the schedule to ensure they won't give you a bad review. The services, like Stallion Economy, can also offer savings passed onto the customer due to the low-cost but longer transit times.
Yes, ground shipping and economy shipping are relatively similar, but not always identical. Both options refer to slower, cost-effective delivery methods that prioritize affordability over speed.
Ground shipping specifically uses trucks for land transport within the same country. Economy shipping, on the other hand, can include both ground and other low-cost options, especially for international deliveries. In many cases, economy shipping is ground shipping, just labelled differently by shipping companies.
While each service has specific details and offerings, you can still check the details below to differentiate what postal services, freight consolidations, third-party logistics providers, and regional or local carriers can offer.
| Postal Services | Freight Forwarders | Third-Party Logistics Providers (3PLs) | Regional or Local Carriers | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cost Savings | They offer more cost-effective shipping for slower delivery and smaller packages, helping sellers cut postage costs. | They combine multiple shipments into one, lowering the cost per package. Plus, choosing economy shipping is another way to reduce the costs even further. | They get discounted carrier rates due to high shipping volumes, which they pass on to you. | They deliver within a smaller area, so transportation costs are lower than national carriers. |
| Weight and Size Considerations | Compared to other services, postal economy tiers are more size-sensitive. The package should not weigh more than 2 kg. | Freight forwarders shine with heavier or bulk shipments. | They accept a range of parcel sizes due to bulk shipping deals with carriers. | It is best for compact and lightweight packages moving short distances. They may not support very large parcels or offer volume consolidation, but they're perfect for local fulfillment. |
| Delivery Times | Postal economy services take the longest, often 4 to 10 business days for domestic options. It may even take longer for international ones. | Expect longer wait times, often 1 to 3 weeks. Shipments are consolidated and routed through bulk freight channels. | It typically takes 3 to 8 business days for domestic and longer for international. However, they often have better control over carrier performance. | It typically takes 1 to 3 business days within a city or province, which is faster than other services. |
| Tracking System | Basic tracking is included, but updates may be limited and slower to appear. | They offer tracking, but mostly at shipment levels, and not individual packages. | They provide full tracking integrated into their platform. You and your customers can monitor packages more closely. | Basic tracking is included, though not always a real-time update. |
| International Shipping Coverage | Canada's postal service offers international economy shipping at low rates. However, it takes 2-4 weeks and may not include full tracking or delivery confirmation. | They often provide access to countries and regions with fewer restrictions and more affordable rates. | International shipping is available through their courier partners. They partner with global carriers and offer multiple international economy options. | Their focus is on local, cost-effective delivery. Therefore, they are not equipped for international shipping, unlike other services on this list. |
| Handling and Documentation | Simple for domestic orders—just a shipping label. For international ones, sellers must complete customs declarations manually, but easy to fill out. | They handle all customs documentation, taxes, and duties on your behalf. It is a big time-saver compared to handling paperwork yourself. | They take care of every, even for economy shipments, so you don't need to manage labels or customers. | Since it's within the local area, very little paperwork is needed. There are usually no customs forms or special handling requirements. |
Note that having a proper consultation with the respective providers is better to ensure precise information regarding their economic shipping options.
Here are some of your options for Economy Shipping:
While Stallion does not offer a traditional "Economy Shipping" tier, it still offers options with budget-friendly pricing comparable to standard shipping solutions.
FedEx offers several Economy Shipping options ideal for non-urgent shipments:
Like FedEx, UPS also offers economy and standard shipping options to its shippers, such as:
Canada Post’s economy shipping option for domestic deliveries is called Regular Parcel. It’s the most affordable ground service for sending non-urgent packages within Canada.
For cross-border deliveries, Canada Post offers Surface shipping as its economy international option. While slower than air services, it provides significantly lower international shipping rates, making it a budget-friendly choice for heavier packages that don’t require fast delivery.
Purolator's economy option is Purolator Ground. It includes tracking, delivery confirmation, and optional insurance. Like many other standard shipping services, it's designed for non-urgent deliveries across Canada.
It is also ideal for businesses seeking an alternative to expedited shipping for a lower cost, while still enjoying dependable service and national coverage.
While Stallion offers a next business day delivery, the majority of the delivery lead time takes between 2 to 9 business days, depending on the origin and destination. The time varies by distance. Note that urban-to-urban routes are faster, while rural or cross-country shipments may take longer.
For international shipments, most economy options usually take 2 to 6 weeks. It usually takes longer due to surface transport, customs clearance, and destination-specific factors.
Choosing the right shipping method depends on your budget, timeline, and delivery expectations. Economy shipping is a great option for cost-conscious businesses that don't require urgent delivery. While it comes with a longer delivery time, it offers reliable service at a fraction of the cost of express shipping alternatives.
Whether you’re shipping within Canada or internationally, balancing cost and convenience will help you select the method that best meets your needs.
Take advantage of Canada's most trusted 3PL service to meet all your shipping needs!
Whether you're sending packages across Canada or looking to ship internationally, Stallion's discounted rates and fast delivery times are here to help you. With our cost-effective shipping solution, you can confidently offer free shipping to your customers by covering the fees yourself.
What's the catch? Nothing! You can get that competitive edge without hurting your bottom line.
Aman looks after the content marketing department at Stallion Express. He is passionate about helping businesses grow by providing informative and up-to-date trends in the eCommerce industry. Outside the office, you can find him on the soccer field cheering on Real Madrid.
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