Everything You Need to Know About UPS SurePost

So, you’ve heard about UPS SurePost through the grapevine. Maybe you’re a small business owner looking to save money on shipping or are just a curious customer. Either way, you want to know what UPS SurePost really is and how it may benefit you. In this article, we’ll break down everything there is to know about UPS’s most economical and business-friendly shipping service, from the requirements to the current rates.

UPS SurePost: Quick Overview

UPS SurePost is a contract-only economy shipping service offered to consumers, business owners, and online retailers. SurePost utilizes UPS and USPS to cut shipping costs by 20% and deliver packages every day of the week.

Section 1 of 9:

What is UPS SurePost?

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UPS SurePost is an economy shipping service for non-urgent needs. Typically, when something is sent in the mail, UPS delivers the package from the sender to the recipient directly. This means that UPS delivers single packages to a single location, no matter the distance, which can uptick shipping costs. With SurePost, UPS works with the United Postal Service (USPS) to deliver packages more cheaply and effectively. UPS picks up the package, and the final delivery is made by USPS.^{[1]
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- SurePost delivers Monday through Sunday, and packages take between 2 to 6 days to arrive once shipped.^{[2]
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- This shipping service is ideal for packages that are less than 10 lb (4,500 g).
- Packages can be tracked using UPS’s online tracker; however, deliveries may not be updated once transferred to USPS’s care.
- SurePost offers a carbon neutral shipping option; however, additional fees may apply.^{[3]
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Section 2 of 9:

How much does UPS SurePost Cost?

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A 1 lb (450 g) package can cost between $11 and $14. In 2023, shipping a 1 lb (450 g) package with UPS SurePost in the United States cost as little as $11.17 and at most $13.97. The area you live in determines how low or high the overall cost is.^{[4]
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- To find your shipping zone’s exact pricing, check out this chart.
- To ship with SurePost, packages must be under 130 in (330 cm) and weigh between 1 oz (28 g) and 70 lb (32,000 g).
- The more an item weighs, the more costly shipping will be. For instance, a 1 lb (450 g) package can cost $11.17, but a 10 lb (4,500 g) package costs $19.45.
- Similarly, bound printed matter is priced by weight with identical rates.^{[5]
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Depending on where you live, a package weighing less than 1 lb (450 g) can cost anywhere from $11.09 to $13.86 (as of 2023). As long as the package is under 1 lb (450 g), the shipping rate stays the same, no matter the specific weight.^{[6]
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Additional charges are added to larger or wider packages. The length and overall size of your package can put surcharges on SurePost shipping. Take a look at the additional charges and rates below:^{[7]
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- Any package with L x W x H more than 2 cubic feet (3456 cubic inches) is an additional $18.
- Any package with the longest side measuring more than 30 in (76 cm) and not exceeding 48 in (120 cm) is an additional $6.
- Any package with the longest side measuring more than 22 in (56 cm) and not exceeding 30 in (76 cm) is an additional $2.

Section 3 of 9:

Pros & Cons of UPS SurePost

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Pros
- Cost-effective: UPS SurePost is cheaper than UPS’s regular ground shipping service. Ultimately, businesses and consumers can save around 20% on shipping overall.
- Reliable: It may take longer to ship items with SurePost, but the economical shipping service is still incredibly reliable. Tracking from UPS and USPS is available at no additional cost.
- Wide delivery area: SurePost delivers to most residential areas in the United States, including Hawaii and Alaska. Keep in mind that shipping outside of the continental US may take an additional 1 to 2 weeks of shipping.^{[8]
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Cons
- Longer delivery times: UPS SurePost requires UPS and USPS to collaborate, which might make shipping times longer by a day or two.
- Limited package size: SurePost is ideal for packages 10 lb (4,500 g) or less, with a surcharge for packages over 70 lb (32,000 g) that can make shipping more expensive than standard ground shipping.^{[9]
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- Limited tracking information: While UPS provides tracking, USPS may not update UPS’s tracking information once the package has been transferred into their care.

Section 4 of 9:

How much can you save with UPS SurePost?

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You can save up to 20% with UPS SurePost. If you send lots of packages within a short time frame, SurePost can help you save over time. For instance, say you send something from Florida to New York. It would cost you around $13.64 to ship the package with UPS ground service, but you’d spend $10.52 with SurePost. That’s a $3.12 savings.^{[10]
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- The main advantage of SurePost is there isn’t an additional charge for weekend shipping, as USPS runs from Monday through Sunday.
- Keep in mind that while your package may be cheaper to ship, it may take longer to deliver (roughly between 2 and 6 days).

Section 5 of 9:

How fast is UPS SurePost?

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It takes 2 to 6 days to deliver packages with UPS SurePost. UPS SurePost delivers packages Monday through Sunday, with a delivery speed of 2 to 6 days.^{[11]
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Research source} In comparison, standard domestic UPS Ground shipping takes 1 to 5 business days.^{[12]
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- Remember that shipping outside of the continental US (to Hawaii and Alaska) may take an additional 1 to 2 weeks of shipping.^{[13]
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Section 6 of 9:

Who benefits from UPS SurePost?

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UPS SurePost is ideal for those who send multiple packages a week. Whether you’re a business owner or a consumer, if you send multiple low-value, lightweight packages, SurePost can ultimately help you save money and deliver to more areas through USPS. For instance, UPS is unable to deliver packages to military locations, but USPS can.^{[14]
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- Ideally, SurePost is perfect for small business owners or online retailers who ship more than 20 lightweight, non-time-sensitive packages weekly.^{[15]
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Section 7 of 9:

UPS SurePost vs. Ground

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UPS SurePost is for lightweight packages, while Ground has a heavier weight limit. Both of these UPS shipping services are considered cost-effective and typically deliver packages in under a week. However, the biggest difference between them is the size of the package in relation to the cost. With SurePost, packages are ideally under 10 lb (4,500 g) and 130 in (330 cm).^{[16]
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Research source} With Ground, packages can be up to 70 lb (32,000 g) and 108 in (270 cm) long.^{[17]
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- To calculate how much it’ll cost to send your package with UPS Ground, input your information into this calculator.

Section 8 of 9:

Should you use UPS SurePost?

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You should use UPS SurePost if you send small packages regularly. Whether or not you use UPS SurePost is entirely up to you! But it may be a good option for you or your business if you regularly send lightweight, low-value, non-urgent packages across the continental US. The 20% savings on shipping could be beneficial for you economically, especially if you’re not as concerned with fast shipping.
- Have more questions about SurePost? Contact UPS’s Customer Service at 1-800-742-5877 for personalized assistance.^{[18]
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Section 9 of 9:

How to Sign Up for UPS SurePost

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UPS SurePost is a contract-only service, meaning you must sign up for the service with UPS directly. Go to your local UPS store to sign up for yourself or your business, or contact UPS customer service at 1-800-742-5877.^{[19]
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