If you stay away from your family, you’re bound to use shipping services more often than not. And if this is your first time, or you have packages to deliver in bulk, scroll down for information on shipping companies that will not burn a hole in your pocket. This article also highlights the factors that play a key role in determining shipping costs. Read on to know more about shipping companies and their prices.

Factors that contribute to pricing
There are many variables that contribute to the high cost of shipping rates. Let’s first understand which factors contribute to pricing before we move on to various postal service options.

Package dimensions and weight
To put it in simple words, the larger the package, the more one has to pay for shipping it. Similarly, the heavier the package, the more expensive it becomes to ship it.

Distance
Along with package size and weight, the distance the package needs to cover is another factor that adds to the cost. The distance from the starting point to the destination will be calculated by the shipping company before they give you the actual shipping rate. There are many shipping calculators available online to get an instant estimate on shipping costs.

Tracking and insurance
These are two customer service options every shipping company provides their customers. The tracking option lets you track your package, and the insurance option secures your package in the case of loss, theft, or it not being received by the recipient.

Customs and duties
These fees are incurred in case one plans to sell their goods to an individual from another country. The cost of customs and duties may differ from each country, and that needs to be figured out before one commits to the transaction. When the package is delivered to a specific destination, the custom duty charges are borne by the customer receiving the package.

Handling
These costs incur when packages are sent out in bulk, such as by an organization to their employees all around the state, country, or even world. Paying the people who pack your package and load it will also be a factor to consider among the shipping costs.

Shipping companies that offer economical rates

U.S Postal Service
The U.S. Postal Service (USPS) is without a doubt the most cost-effective shipping option that one could avail for light items like cards and envelopes. Any shipping package up to 13 oz. can be mailed at extremely low costs with USPS. You can even opt for their two-day priority mail option that has flat rates ranging between $15.50 for a medium box to $21.90 for a large box. Besides, the postal service comes under the essential services, which means they remain operational even during natural calamities like hurricanes, floods, and earthquakes. They tend to have a solid contingency plan, and that’s why most people rely on the postal service.

Parcel Monkey
If you wish to send any package within the country, Parcel Monkey is one option to consider. The best part about this shipping company is that they provide a shipping quote online. Customers are expected to enter all details and get a free estimate before committing to the service. Their popular shipping services include overnight shipping, ground shipping, and USPS shipping services.

UPS Simple Rate
UPS is an expensive carrier if the weight and dimension of the package is quite large. That said, UPS shipping carriers become a great option for packages that are medium or large in dimension. Their price ranges from $13.90 to $18.40 for medium to large packages respectively. However, you can’t have your packages delivered in two-days with these prices.

FedEx
This major shipping carrier is a great option when one has to ship packages over 10lbs, heavy boxes, ones that need two-day shipping or next-day AM-PM option, overnight shipping, and priority international option. In these circumstances, FedEx is a trusted shipping brand that will ensure your timelines are met. However, opt for USPS in case you have just a gift card, letter, greeting card, or some cash to post since it’s a much cheaper option in these scenarios. To give you a rough estimate, a medium package with FedEx will cost around $12.95 and a large box will cost around $20.

EasyShip
This shipping and logistic company could be your go-to option as it comes with a huge network of over 250 couriers worldwide. EasyShip can get you the best discounts and offers in case your business requires frequent shipping. Their popular shipping tools, which help you make a quick decision, include the shipping rate calculator, comparison tool, insurance, and tracking.

You can look for third-parties that will help you negotiate with reputed shipping companies. Besides, you may also try to reach them directly in case you have bulk packages to ship frequently. Once the terms have been discussed, you should be able to find a courier company that agrees to competitive rates and signs a contract to assure great service and cost-effective prices.