Overnight Shipping: How Does It Really Work? | Easyship Blog
Maybe your like
Instantly Save On Shipping- Up to 91% off shipping rates
- Compare 550+ courier services
- Volume discounts for everyone
- Start for free, ship in minutes
Instantly Save On Shipping- Up to 91% off shipping rates
- Compare 550+ courier services
- Volume discounts for everyone
- Start for free, ship in minutes
📦 45 days to go! Find the best Black Friday/Cyber Monday Shipping RatesRich text description
Sign-Up
📦 45 days to go! Find the best Black Friday/Cyber Monday Shipping RatesRich text description
Sign-Up Up to 91% OffCreate an accountfalse Up to 91% OffCreate an account
Up to 91% OffStart shipping with exclusive discounts
- test
- test
- test
Up to 91% OffStart shipping with exclusive discounts
- test
- test
- test
Connect to Shopify
Start with Free Plan
Shipping Insurance
Enterprise Sales
Compare
Carriers
Chat with an Expert
Get a Quote
550+ Courier Services
100+ Tech Integrations
Calculate
Shipping
Tax & Duties Calculator
Shipping
Guides
Upcoming Events
Success Stories
Chat with
an Expert
Start 14-Day Free Trial
Connect to Shopify
Up to 91% off Labels
Shipping Insurance
Enterprise Sales
Compare
Carriers
Chat with an Expert
Get a Quote
550+ Courier Services
60+ Tech Integrations
Calculate
Shipping
Tax & Duty Calculator
Shipping
Guides
Upcoming Events
Success Stories
Chat with
an Expert
Start 14-Day Free Trial 
Jules3 min readMay 8, 2023Key pointsKey Points:
- 53% of online shoppers consider delivery speed to be the most important factor in the purchasing process, while 24% of shoppers have canceled an order due to slow shipping speeds
- USPS overnight shipping is available through their Priority Mail Express services
- There is no one-size-fits-all when it comes to overnight shipping costs
For eCommerce brands, fast shipping can be a game-changer. According to Arvato, 53% of online shoppers consider delivery speed to be the most important factor in the purchasing process, while 24% of shoppers have canceled an order due to slow shipping speeds. This is especially true in the era of Amazon Prime, with its standard same-day and 2-day shipping options.
Some customers need to receive their orders fast. Some just want orders fast, anyhow. Regardless of who's buying, you'll sell more with options for expedited shipping on your website.
But, this type of service can get expensive. That’s where Easyship can help. All our courier services are discounted up to 91% off – including overnight shipping. Try our free shipping calculator for an instant rate quote on your next rush delivery.
What is Overnight Shipping?
This is the quickest package delivery option available through most couriers. It guarantees that your customers will receive their urgent packages on the next business day. Different carriers offer varied overnight services depending on the time of the day you want your customers to receive the package. Let’s look at the services offered by the major couriers.
USPS Overnight Shipping
USPS overnight shipping is available through their Priority Mail Express services. It’s also the cheapest option for packages under 70lbs, starting from $24.70. The service guarantees next-day delivery, with options to have the package delivered by 1030AM. The service operates seven days a week and doesn’t charge extra for weekend deliveries.

FedEx Overnight Shipping
FedEx has three options within the US that allow shippers to customize delivery and pickup options.
- FedEx First Overnight: This is the fastest and the most expensive option. For most US destinations, delivery is guaranteed on the next business day as early as 8 AM, but delivery is usually by 2 PM for remote areas.
- FedEx Priority Overnight: This FedEx overnight shipping service guarantees delivery by 1030AM on the next business day in most US destinations, and by 5 PM for remote addresses
- FedEx Standard Overnight: This is the cheapest and the slowest FedEx option; for most US addresses, delivery is usually made by 3 PM on the next business day.
UPS Overnight Shipping
There are three UPS options available, and all include online tracking:
- UPS Next Day Air Early: This is the most expensive option, but it guarantees package delivery on the next business day by 8 AM
- UPS Next Day Air: Package delivery is guaranteed the next business day by 10:30 AM
- UPS Next Day Air Saver: This is the least expensive option, and guarantees package delivery on the next business day by 3 PM
DHL Overnight Shipping
If your package needs to be delivered overnight internationally, then DHL will be your best choice, though it will be expensive. It will cost you anywhere from $248.86 to $226.71 to ship a 10lb box measuring 13.2in x 12.6in x 2 from New York to London.
Like any courier service, you should expect that there will be certain restrictions with this service. The main thing is that there are daily cutoff times for shipping. If you miss this cutoff time, the courier will not be able to guarantee next-day delivery. Similarly, any orders placed on a weekend may require an extra business day to be delivered.
In addition, certain weight and dimension restrictions apply. For example, with USPS, the maximum parcel weight is 70lbs; for FedEx and UPS, it’s 150lbs.
How Does Overnight Shipping Work?
Shipments are booked during the day and transported throughout the night so that delivery can take place the following day. Typically, it takes one night and a few hours of the next day to have your package delivered.
With the next-day delivery guarantee, each courier service will do its best to deliver your packages the next business day. However, sometimes it may be hard to do that with 100% success. In this case, the “guarantee” means that you will be refunded the shipping fees if your package is not delivered at the promised time.
The cutoff time for overnight shipping with most couriers is usually between 6 PM and 7 PM. You can use USPS over the weekends, but you’ll have to pay an additional charge on Sunday deliveries. For both UPS and FedEx, only Saturday pickups and deliveries are available for an additional charge. Residential and fuel surcharges also apply for both UPS and FedEx.

How Much Does Overnight Shipping Cost?
There is no one-size-fits-all when it comes to overnight shipping costs, and several factors come to play when determining the fees. They include:
- Package dimensions: This pricing model takes into account the dimensions of the package to determine its cost
- Delivery time frame: The faster the delivery time for the package, the more you can expect to pay
- Package weight: This is based on either the actual weight or the dimensional weight of a package; heavier shipments cost more to ship than lighter packages
- Shipping distance: This is the distance between the point of origin of the package and its destination. The further the distance, the more the shipping costs
- Carrier shipping agreements: Some carriers offer discounted shipping rates to small businesses or those that have high shipping volumes.
Here is an overview of overnight shipping costs for various couriers when shipping a 2lb package sized 10” x 5” x 5” from Brooklyn, New York, to Miami, Florida.
| Courier Service | Price |
|---|---|
| USPS Priority Mail Express | $46.20 |
| UPS Next Day Air Early | $114.74 |
| UPS Next Day Air | $84.51 |
| FedEx First Overnight | $106.94 |
| FedEx Priority Overnight | $64.44 |
| FedEx Standard Overnight | $60.80 |
As you can see, in this instance, the USPS Priority Mail Express service is the cheapest overnight shipping service.
Keep Customers Happy with Overnight Shipping
Online shoppers' needs have changed, and they now require eCommerce retailers to offer faster package delivery options. To help address this need, different courier companies introduced overnight services that make next-day deliveries possible.
While overnight shipping is a more expensive option, it can help your eCommerce brand stand out by keeping your customers happy and satisfied with fast deliveries, and there are always ways to find the cheapest option.
Sign up for a free Easyship account to boost customer satisfaction with fast deliveries – all with discounted rates up to 91% off!
Overnight Shipping FAQ
What items must be shipped overnight?
Perishable items, time-sensitive items, last-minute gifts, and fragile items should be shipped overnight.
Which shipping services deliver on Sunday if I shipped the package on Saturday?
FedEx and UPS both offer overnight delivery services for express shipments.
TABLE OF CONTENTSKey Points:
- 53% of online shoppers consider delivery speed to be the most important factor in the purchasing process, while 24% of shoppers have canceled an order due to slow shipping speeds
- USPS overnight shipping is available through their Priority Mail Express services
- There is no one-size-fits-all when it comes to overnight shipping costs
By submitting the form, you agree to receive marketing emails from Easyship.
Save up to 91% on Shipping. Try for free.Effortlessly compare 550+ courier services with one global account. Instant discounts. Start in minutes.
Start Your Free PlanHow Easyship Works
Shipping Internationally? Unsure What Tariffs or Duties Apply?Try our FREE Tax & Duty CalculatorTrying to stay up to date on the latest cross-border shipping and import requirements? Get an instant estimate of all applicable taxes and duties for every country across 220+ global destinations or sign up and take advantage of our in-built HS Code lookup tool.
Calculate Tax & Duties Instantly (Free Tool)
Ready to Stop Overpaying for Shipping?Try our FREE Shipping Rate CalculatorLooking for the cheapest way to ship a package? Get an instant shipping quote and compare rates from 550+ courier services across the United States, Canada, UK, Australia, and more. Simply add your package size and delivery location, and you'll find the best deal in seconds.
Calculate Rates Instantly (Free Tool)Get in touch with us now and our shipping consultants can give you a detailed quote and additional info to help with your campaign.
Get in touchFind the guaranteed cheapest rates for any courier in seconds with Easyship’s free shipping rate calculator. Compare discount rates from USPS, UPS, FedEx, and 250+ couriers at a glance.
GET RATE QUOTES FREEFind the guaranteed cheapest rates for any courier in seconds with Easyship’s free shipping rate calculator. Compare discount rates from USPS, UPS, FedEx, and 250+ couriers at a glance.
GET RATE QUOTES FREEWe believe simple pricing is the best pricing. Get a quote with a simplified pricing structure and no hidden fees.
Contact usWe provide the necessary tools needed to keep you on budget for shipping and to safely deliver your product to backers around the world.
Learn moreNeed to estimate your shipping duties & taxes? Our calculator can give you an idea of what to expect.
TRY IT NOWCompare 550+ courier services with one global account. Start in minutes.
GET STARTED FOR FREEReceive a personal cost estimate for your crowdfunding campaign from our trusted global fulfillment partners. Easyship is a certified Indiegogo partner.
GET FREE QUOTESave up to 74% on UPS shipping rates by shipping with Easyship. You can run a quote and generate your first shipments in literally minutes!
SHIP WITH UPS TODAYGet instant access with volume-discounted shipping rates. Save up to 89% off on USPS, UPS, FedEx, and more. Easyship is free for 50 shipments each month.
SIGN UP FREE TO SAVELet Easyship connect you to the largest shipping and fulfillment network on Earth. You’ll find trusted partners for all things logistics. Guidance is free from our global shipping experts.
ASK AN EXPERTExplore the powerful features that 100K+ merchants use to ship smarter, not harder. Shipping automation, live rates at checkout, live duty and tax – all free to try with Easyship.
EXPLORE ALL FEATURESCreate your free Easyship account to streamline shipping and save with discounted rates. No hidden fees. No minimums. Just savings.
CREATE YOUR FREE ACCOUNTUse our guided walk-through to build the perfect shipping policy for your eCommerce business.
CREATE YOUR POLICY FREEWith 550+ pre-negotiated shipping services available with discounts of up to 91%, you can save time & money today when you integrate your Shopify store with Easyship
REGISTER FOR FREEEasyship is free to use for 50 shipments every month. You’ll save big on our discounted shipping rates up to 91% off, and save time with smart automation. Signup is fast and free.
CREATE YOUR FREE ACCOUNTFollow the easy path to fulfillment success. Easyship’s free fulfillment checklist provides a proven step-by-step so you can ship at scale without the guesswork.
VIEW THE CHECKLISTSave up to 89% off all shipping rates. Easyship offers the guaranteed cheapest volume-discounted rates on the market from USPS, UPS, FedEx, and 250+ global couriers.
SIGN UP TO SAVEExplore the innovative features that 100K+ merchants use to ship smarter, not harder. Shipping automation, live rates at checkout, live duty and tax – all free to try with Easyship.
EXPLORE FEATURESRegister for an Easyship account today and you will gain access to the cheapest rates, instantly.
REGISTER FOR FREEWhat exactly does it cost to ship cross-border? Use the free duty and tax calculator from Easyship to view accurate import costs for any shipment to anywhere.
USE FREEFind the guaranteed cheapest rates for any courier in seconds with Easyship’s free shipping rate calculator. Compare discount rates from USPS, UPS, FedEx, and 550+ courier services at a glance.
GET A FREE QUOTEFind the guaranteed cheapest shipping in seconds with Easyship’s free shipping rate calculator. Compare discounted rates from USPS, UPS, FedEx, and 250+ global couriers at a glance.
COMPARE RATES FREEGet an instant estimate of the cheapest shipping rates with our free calculator tool.
GET FREE RATE QUOTESSave up to 91% off shipping with Easyship’s discount courier rates. Create your free account to save instantly on 550+ courier services, including USPS.
CREATE YOUR FREE ACCOUNTGet help from our global shipping experts on warehousing, global shipping and to connect with our network of trusted 3PLs.
GET FREE SHIPPING TIPSRegister for an Easyship account today and get 30-days access to a Premier plan with access to Pre-generated Return Labels.
Generate Return Labels TodayFind the guaranteed cheapest rates for any courier in seconds with Easyship’s free shipping rate calculator. Compare discount rates from USPS, UPS, FedEx, and 250+ couriers at a glance.
GET RATE QUOTES FREELearn how the leading brands offer free shipping, calculate costs, and ship on a budget for the holidays in our free shipping guidebook.
LEARN MOREUse Easyship’s free shipping policy generator to formulate your perfect holiday shipping policy for returns, tracking, and more. Just follow the prompts and you’re done!
GET YOUR SHIPPING POLICYLearn how to ship internationally without missing a step. Our case studies show you proven tactics for shipping worldwide from Easyship users who did it right.
READ CASE STUDIESRelated Articles
No items found.Related Articles
Industry News2026 Tariff Changes Explained: IEEPA, Section 122, and Rising Import Costs
February 26, 2026
Industry NewsTikTok Shop Reverses U.S. Shipping Mandate: What U.S. Sellers Need to Know
February 23, 2026
Carrier GuidesFedEx vs. UPS: What Is Cheaper FedEx or UPS?
February 23, 2026Get the latest shipping news, expert guides and invites.
By signing up, you agree to receive marketing emails from Easyship. Unsubscribe at any time.
Tag » How Does Overnight Shipping Work
-
What Happens Behind The Scenes When It Comes To Overnight Shipping
-
How Does Overnight Shipping Work? | Full Guide 2022
-
Overnight Shipping For Next Day Delivery - FedEx
-
How Overnight Shipping Works - YouTube
-
How Does Any Overnight Shipping Work? - Quora
-
Overnight Shipping: How Does Next Day Shipping Work
-
Step-by-Step Guide To Overnight Shipping [+Best Practices] - ShipBob
-
How Does Overnight Shipping Work? - SFL Worldwide
-
Overnight Shipping For Next-Day Delivery: How To Offer It? - ELogii
-
Overnight Shipping: Everything You Need To Know | ZhenHub
-
How Does Overnight Delivery Work? The Journey Of An Overnight ...
-
Overnight Shipping: A Definitive Guide | Fulfillment Hub USA
-
Overnight Shipping Costs: UPS, USPS, & FedEx - BlueCart
-
Overnight Shipping: Comparing USPS, UPS & FedEx