Complete Guide to Delivery Companies & Shipping Rates 2025

Compare shipping rates, delivery plans, and services from major carriers worldwide. Find the best delivery company for your needs.

🇺🇸USA Delivery Companies

USPS (United States Postal Service)

The most affordable option for domestic shipping in the United States, offering comprehensive coverage to every address in the country.

Delivery Plans & Rates (2025):

  • Priority Mail: 1-3 business days$8.95 - $25
  • Priority Mail Express: Overnight$28.75 - $45
  • First-Class Mail: 1-5 business days$4.50 - $8
  • Ground Advantage: 2-5 business days$5.50 - $15

UPS (United Parcel Service)

Premium delivery service known for reliable tracking and business shipping solutions with extensive international coverage.

Delivery Plans & Rates (2025):

  • UPS Ground: 1-5 business days$12 - $35
  • UPS 3 Day Select: 3 business days$25 - $55
  • UPS 2nd Day Air: 2 business days$35 - $75
  • UPS Next Day Air: Next business day$50 - $120

FedEx

Leading express delivery company offering fast shipping options and excellent international services with real-time tracking.

Delivery Plans & Rates (2025):

  • FedEx Ground: 1-5 business days$11 - $32
  • FedEx Express Saver: 3 business days$28 - $60
  • FedEx 2Day: 2 business days$38 - $80
  • FedEx Overnight: Next business day$55 - $125

Amazon Logistics

Amazon's own delivery network offering fast shipping for Amazon Prime members and sellers using Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA).

Delivery Plans & Rates (2025):

  • Standard Shipping: 4-5 business days$6.99 - $12
  • Prime Free Shipping: 1-2 daysFree (Prime)
  • Same-Day Delivery: Same day$9.99 - $15

🇦🇺Australia Delivery Companies

Australia Post

Australia's national postal service providing comprehensive delivery coverage across all Australian territories with reliable tracking.

Delivery Plans & Rates (2025):

  • Regular Post: 2-6 business daysAUD $9.20 - $18
  • Express Post: Next business dayAUD $15.50 - $35
  • Express Post International: 3-10 daysAUD $45 - $120

StarTrack

Premium courier service owned by Australia Post, specializing in business-to-business and business-to-consumer deliveries.

Delivery Plans & Rates (2025):

  • Road Express: 1-5 business daysAUD $12 - $28
  • Premium: Next business dayAUD $22 - $45

Aramex Australia

International courier company offering competitive rates for both domestic and international shipping with strong Middle East connections.

Delivery Plans & Rates (2025):

  • Domestic Standard: 2-5 business daysAUD $10 - $25
  • International Express: 3-7 business daysAUD $40 - $95

🇯🇵Japan Delivery Companies

Japan Post (日本郵便)

Japan's national postal service offering reliable domestic and international shipping with excellent coverage throughout Japan.

Delivery Plans & Rates (2025):

  • Yu-Pack: 1-2 days domestic¥810 - ¥2,300
  • EMS (Express Mail): 2-4 days international¥1,400 - ¥8,000
  • Letter Pack Plus: Next day¥520

Yamato Transport (ヤマト運輸)

Japan's largest private delivery company, known for their "Takkyubin" service with exceptional customer service and time-specific delivery.

Delivery Plans & Rates (2025):

  • Takkyubin: Next day domestic¥930 - ¥2,610
  • Cool Takkyubin: Refrigerated delivery¥1,150 - ¥2,830
  • International TA-Q-BIN: 3-7 days¥2,500 - ¥12,000

Sagawa Express (佐川急便)

Major Japanese courier company specializing in business logistics and e-commerce deliveries with competitive pricing.

Delivery Plans & Rates (2025):

  • Flying Delivery: Next day¥880 - ¥2,420
  • Cool Flying: Refrigerated¥1,100 - ¥2,640

🇨🇳China Delivery Companies

SF Express (顺丰速运)

China's leading premium courier service known for fast delivery, excellent tracking, and reliable international shipping options.

Delivery Plans & Rates (2025):

  • Standard Express: 1-3 days domestic¥12 - ¥35
  • Next Day: Next day delivery¥18 - ¥45
  • International: 3-7 days¥80 - ¥280

China Post (中国邮政)

China's national postal service offering the most affordable shipping options with extensive coverage across all Chinese regions.

Delivery Plans & Rates (2025):

  • Standard Parcel: 3-7 days domestic¥8 - ¥25
  • EMS China: 1-3 days domestic¥20 - ¥50
  • International Economy: 15-30 days¥45 - ¥150

ZTO Express (中通快递)

One of China's largest express delivery companies, popular for e-commerce shipping with competitive rates and wide coverage.

Delivery Plans & Rates (2025):

  • Standard Delivery: 2-5 days¥6 - ¥20
  • Express Service: 1-3 days¥10 - ¥30

YTO Express (圆通速递)

Major Chinese courier company serving millions of e-commerce customers daily with affordable rates and reliable service.

Delivery Plans & Rates (2025):

  • Standard: 2-5 days domestic¥7 - ¥22
  • Next Day: Next business day¥12 - ¥35

🇪🇺European Delivery Companies

DHL Express

World's leading international express delivery company with exceptional European coverage and reliable worldwide shipping.

Delivery Plans & Rates (2025):

  • DHL Express Domestic: Next day€15 - €45
  • DHL Express 12:00: Before noon€25 - €65
  • DHL Express Worldwide: 1-3 days€35 - €150

DPD (Dynamic Parcel Distribution)

Leading European parcel delivery network known for precise delivery predictions and excellent customer service across Europe.

Delivery Plans & Rates (2025):

  • DPD Classic: 1-2 days€8 - €25
  • DPD Express: Next day€12 - €35
  • DPD 12:00: Before noon€18 - €45

Hermes (Evri)

Popular European parcel delivery service offering affordable rates and convenient ParcelShop network for pickups and drop-offs.

Delivery Plans & Rates (2025):

  • Standard Delivery: 2-3 days€6 - €18
  • Next Day: Next business day€10 - €28

Royal Mail (UK)

United Kingdom's national postal service providing comprehensive UK coverage and international shipping with tracked services.

Delivery Plans & Rates (2025):

  • 2nd Class: 2-3 days£3.85 - £12
  • 1st Class: 1-2 days£4.65 - £15
  • Special Delivery: Next day by 1pm£8.50 - £28

La Poste (France)

France's national postal service offering reliable domestic and international shipping with extensive post office network.

Delivery Plans & Rates (2025):

  • Colissimo: 2-3 days domestic€6.95 - €22
  • Chronopost: Next day€14 - €38
  • International: 3-7 days€25 - €85

📊Shipping Cost Comparison Guide

How to Choose the Right Delivery Company

For Budget-Conscious Shipping:

  • USA: USPS Ground Advantage or First-Class Mail
  • Australia: Australia Post Regular Post
  • Japan: Japan Post Yu-Pack
  • China: China Post or ZTO Express
  • Europe: Hermes/Evri or national postal services

For Fast Delivery:

  • USA: FedEx Overnight or UPS Next Day Air
  • Australia: StarTrack Premium or Australia Post Express
  • Japan: Yamato Takkyubin or Japan Post EMS
  • China: SF Express Next Day
  • Europe: DHL Express 12:00 or DPD Express

For International Shipping:

  • Best Overall: DHL Express Worldwide
  • Budget Option: National postal services (EMS)
  • Business Shipping: FedEx International or UPS Worldwide
  • Asia-Pacific: SF Express International

For E-commerce Businesses:

  • USA: Amazon Logistics (for FBA sellers) or USPS
  • China: ZTO Express or YTO Express
  • Europe: DPD or Hermes for volume discounts
  • Multi-region: DHL or FedEx for consistency

💡 Money-Saving Tips

  • Compare rates: Always compare multiple carriers for your specific route and package size
  • Use flat-rate boxes: USPS, Australia Post, and other postal services offer flat-rate options that can save money on heavy items
  • Business accounts: Sign up for business accounts to get discounted rates (typically 10-30% off retail prices)
  • Ship in bulk: Consolidate shipments when possible to reduce per-package costs
  • Avoid peak seasons: Shipping costs increase during holidays; plan ahead when possible

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cheapest way to ship internationally in 2025?

National postal services like USPS International, China Post, and Japan Post typically offer the most affordable international shipping rates. However, delivery times are longer (15-30 days) compared to express carriers. For faster service at reasonable prices, consider regional carriers or consolidators that specialize in specific routes.

Which delivery company has the best tracking system?

FedEx, UPS, and DHL are known for having the most comprehensive tracking systems with real-time updates, GPS tracking, and detailed delivery notifications. SF Express in China and Yamato Transport in Japan also offer excellent tracking capabilities. Most modern carriers now provide mobile apps with push notifications for delivery updates.

How can I get discounted shipping rates?

Sign up for business accounts with carriers to receive commercial pricing (typically 10-30% off retail rates). Use shipping software platforms that offer pre-negotiated rates. Consider joining shipping cooperatives or using third-party logistics providers. Many carriers also offer volume discounts for regular shippers.

What's the difference between express and standard shipping?

Express shipping prioritizes your package for faster delivery (typically 1-3 days) with guaranteed delivery times, premium handling, and better tracking. Standard shipping uses regular ground transportation (2-7 days) at lower cost but without guaranteed delivery dates. Express shipping costs 2-5 times more than standard shipping but includes insurance and signature confirmation.

Are delivery insurance and signature confirmation worth it?

For valuable items over $100, insurance is highly recommended as it protects against loss or damage. Signature confirmation adds security by requiring someone to sign for the package, preventing porch piracy. Most express services include these features automatically, while standard shipping requires adding them for an additional fee (typically $2-5 for signature, 1-3% of value for insurance).

Need Help with Return Shipping?

Understanding delivery companies and their rates is crucial when returning products. Check our comprehensive guides for more information about return policies and refund processes.