When the United States Postal Service (USPS) and UPS compete for the same business, things can get interesting. Both shipping services want to win your business, so they’ll often extend special discounts or unique benefits to make their service stand out from their competitor. As a result, it’s not uncommon for customers to ask questions like: Can UPS take USPS packages? If so, how much will it cost? This article will answer those burning questions and more.
Can UPS Take USPS Packages?
Yes, UPS does take USPS packages. The UPS customer can go to their local hub and request to take a package from the post office. The post office will give the customer a parcel accountable number that can be used at the time of delivery. The UPS driver will then take the package to the nearest UPS facility for delivery.
Why Use USPS To Ship Packages?
1. It’s the cheapest way to ship packages.
USPS is the most affordable shipping option. One reason is that USPS offers flat-rate shipping, which means that you pay only a single rate for standard-sized packages and boxes. This saves money compared to other shipping services that charge by weight or volume.
2. USPS has more than enough capacity to handle your package needs.
USPS has more than enough capacity to handle the load of your package delivery. The USPS doesn’t have a lot of trouble with overcapacity because of its low cost-per-unit and the high volume of packages it handles every day.
3. USPS is more reliable than UPS, FedEx, or DHL.
USPS is better at delivering packages on time without any delays or problems from other carriers like UPS, FedEx, or DHL. The customer can rest assured knowing that their package will arrive on time and safe in their hands within 5 days from the shipment date.
4. You can track the progress of your shipment.
USPS offers real-time tracking for most packages. This feature is available for all packages over 50 pounds and can be activated to a maximum of $5 per shipment. For packages under 50 pounds, the customer will have to pay a fee of $1 per package.
5. USPS guarantees delivery by a certain time and date.
USPS guarantees delivery by a certain time, which is usually five days after the shipment date. If the package isn’t delivered in that timeframe, you will be notified and given alternate options like calling the carrier or waiting for another day.
6. It is more affordable than DHL, FedEx, or UPS.
USPS is cheaper than DHL and UPS. One reason for that is that USPS provides free delivery to a certain number of addresses. For example, if you are sending a package to an address located in Los Angeles from New York City, the cost will be the same as the cost of shipping it to New York City.
7. The customer can track the progress of their package online.
You can track your package online through USPS’s website. The service allows you to monitor your shipment in real time and track its progress from the time it leaves your address until it arrives at its destination.
How To Ship USPS Packages Using UPS?
1. Start with selecting a shipping service.
To ship USPS packages using UPS, you must first select a shipping service. The available options include UPS Ground, UPS Next Day Air, and UPS 2nd Day Air.
2. Select the right package size.
USPS packages are smaller than the standard-sized packages used by other shipping services like DHL or FedEx. So you have to choose the right package size before you can start your package shipment process.
3. Choose a shipping address for your package.
You must know the ZIP code of the destination address from which you want to ship your package. You can check this information on USPS’s website.
4. Select a delivery date.
USPS offers the following delivery days: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Choose the one that will best fit your schedule.
5. Register your package with USPS.
You can register your package online or through a local post office. You can also call 1-800-ASK-USPS to register your package over the phone.
6. Get a signature confirmation number (SCN).
Before you ship your package with UPS or USPS, you must obtain an SCN code which is a unique identifier for every shipment sent by UPS or USPS. The SCN is sent along with the shipment and allows you to track it at any point in time until it reaches its destination. For this purpose, all shipping companies have included the SCN in their shipping labels. You can get an SCN from any post office on request.
7. Ship your package.
You can ship your package through USPS or UPS depending on the type of service you selected and the delivery date selected.
8. Track your package online.
You can track the status of your shipment on USPS’s website. You can also track your package on UPS’s website.
Pros Of Using USPS To Ship Packages
1. USPS offers a range of shipping options that cater to all different types of customers.
USPS offers a wide range of services for both domestic and international shipments. UPS, FedEx, DHL, and other shipping companies only have domestic shipping options.
2. Most packages are delivered within 5–15 days of shipment.
USPS is known for providing speedy delivery services to its customers. The average delivery time for USPS packages is 4–5 days. In most cases, you can expect your package to arrive on time if you use the Priority Mail service. The average delivery time for Priority Mail is 3-5 days.
3. USPS offers a range of shipping services that cater to all types of customers.
USPS offers several different types of services, including Express, Priority Mail, First Class Mail, and Parcel Post. These different types of services have different delivery times and costs.
4. You can ship your package to any destination in the world via USPS.
USPS is the only shipping company that lets you ship your package to any country in the world. You can use USPS’s international shipping services to send your packages to a number of countries including Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Italy, Japan, Mexico, and the United Kingdom.
Cons Of Using USPS To Ship Packages
1. USPS shipping fees are relatively high.
USPS’s shipping fees are higher than that of UPS, FedEx, and DHL. The basic postage rate for Priority Mail is $1.15 for each 1-ounce letter or $0.65 for each 1-ounce package. The basic postage rate for First Class Mail is $0.55 for each 1-ounce letter or $1.10 per ounce for each 1-ounce package.
2. USPS is not as reliable as UPS or FedEx.
USPS is not as reliable as UPS and FedEx in terms of delivery times. USPS’s delivery time can be delayed by a few days to more than a month.
3. USPS does not have a tracking system for its packages.
USPS does not provide a tracking system for its packages. To track your package, you can check the status of your package online with UPS or FedEx.
4. USPS does not provide a service to track your package through the postal services of any country you are shipping to.
USPS does not provide a service to track your package through the postal services of any country you are shipping to. To track your package, you can check the status of your package online with UPS or FedEx.
Bottom Line
Both UPS and USPS offer low shipping rates, convenient online tracking, and various shipping options. While your shipping costs may be slightly less with USPS, the difference is minimal. In fact, if you’re shipping a heavy or large package, you’ll have to pay more using USPS. If you have a business, you may also want to consider investing in a business account with UPS, which gives you a variety of benefits.
