Small Parcel Shipping Guide: Fast & Low-Cost Delivery

In this fast-paced world of eCommerce and direct-to-customer (D2C), small parcel shipping has emerged as the winning formula for companies to ship their products quickly and affordably. All this while small parcel shipping has been offering businesses the agility and speed they need: be it just a startup shipping their hundred orders, or another scaling up nationwide buying fulfillment services for hundreds or thousands of orders.

The parcel shipping definition calls for shipping of individually packaged items weighing less than 70 lbs through various small parcel carriers like Velocity Express, USPS, FedEx, or UPS. It does not need palletization or bulk-handling, making it ideal for a D2C setup. So many options make searching for the best shipping companies for small businesses a factor that might reduce cost and increase customer satisfaction.

How to Qualify for Small Parcel Shipping? Understanding Size and Weight Standards

Knowing the dimensions of small parcels is very important for choosing the right service and good cost control while shipping. In general, small parcels are those packages weighing under 70 lbs, which are most handy and do not require freight equipment to handle. However, the exact size of a small parcel can vary slightly by carrier.

These packages are top-rated for shipping lightweight goods, particularly for e-commerce vendors shipping garments, electronics, cosmetics, or accessories. These small parcels usually get handled individually rather than on pallets and thus offer quicker delivery options with better tracking for both the shipper and the customer.

Benefits of Choosing Small Parcel Carriers

Fast Delivery Times : When it comes to small parcel shipping, the shorter transit time means your customers can get their orders sooner. There are reliable small parcel carriers, like Velocity Express, USPS, and FedEx, that offer small package delivery services that get your goods to your customers quickly.
Door-to-Door Convenience: There are small parcel delivery companies today that offer seamless pickup and drop-off services. It's simple to ship, which frees up your time and saves you the hassle of getting it to the carrier and then shipping it.
Lower Overhead for Inventory Management: Small parcel shipping often eliminates the bulk storage and freight shipping that many companies must manage. These various partnerships can help businesses diminish their overhead costs of managing the various inventory that humans touch.
Ideal for Scaling Small Businesses: As you begin to scale your business, working with the best small business shipping companies means you have scalable and reasonable shipping capabilities.
Wide Carrier Options: Choosing from multiple small parcel delivery companies means you can choose products based on what is most important, including price, speed of service, destination coverage, and so on. The range of options can help you meet the varying expectations of your customers.

How to Ship a Small Package: Step-by-Step Guide for Successful Delivery

Shipping any small parcel correctly will give you the best chance of delivery. Use the easy steps below for a good small parcel delivery.

Measure the Dimensions of Your Small Parcel

It is necessary to get the length, width, height, and weight of your parcel package correctly. Having the dimensions of your small parcel can help you avoid extra charges and make sure that you select the right shipping service for the delivery.
Choose Proper Packaging

You are limited to using a solid box, preferably a padded envelope with enough padding, and make sure not to utilise large excess packaging to ensure delivery.
Label Clearly

Make sure you print and complete an accurate shipping label, with full sender and receiver addresses. Make sure you attach it properly.
Select a Carrier

Look at small parcel delivery companies or carriers such as Velocity Express. Compare carriers and select based on price, delivery speed, and reliability.
Schedule Pickup or Drop-off

Set up the day you want the carrier to pick up or drop off your package at a local shipping centre. Use a tracking service for peace of mind.

Tips: Package the parcel well. Use a tracking service if it brings you peace of mind. Make sure you hold on to the shipping receipt until delivery is confirmed. To deliver your package with more security, the Velocity Express package shipping service offers Velosure - our assurance that protects your parcel against loss or damage during transit.

Small Parcel vs. Freight: What’s the Difference?

It is necessary to understand freight delivery and small parcel shipping because they have different roles based on the business needs.

Typically, a small parcel shipment consists of many individual packages that are lighter and smaller, generally under 150 lbs, and are shipped via carriers like Velocity Express, USPS, UPS, FedEx, etc. Small parcel shipments are ideal for fast, economical, and door-to-door delivery of products to your customers.

On the other hand, freight delivery refers to larger shipments. Typically, these shipments will include multiple boxes, pallets, or heavy goods, and may involve special handling and methods of transportation. Freight deliveries are typically booked through freight carriers and include less-than-truckload (LTL) or Full Truckload (FTL) services.

Several businesses often decide to use freight options instead of parcel services when they need to ship a larger quantity or heavier goods that are over parcel maximum weight and size restrictions. Selecting freight shipping over parcel shipping options can be more effective in strategy, cost, and service for small shipments that are too large to be delivered as parcel packages.

Tips to Reduce Costs for Small Parcel Shipping

Optimize your packaging to avoid dimensional weight charges and keep your shipping costs low by selecting the right-sized boxes and the least amount of padding.
Make sure you frequently compare rates with more than one small parcel delivery company to find the best shipping per value that meets your needs.
Work with the best to partner with the best shipping companies for small businesses to gain volume discounts and expertise in shipping.
Choose a low-cost shipping service option for non-urgent deliveries so you're permitted to save even a few dollars while still having a reliable delivery service.
Maintain consistent tracking and analysis of your shipping costs to always find any opportunities to save money and change your shipping practices.

The Bottom Line

Having a good handle on small parcel shipping is vital for customers and businesses looking to ship their products quickly, reliably, and at a low shipping cost. By knowing what a small parcel is, using the right small parcel delivery companies, and therefore finding the best shipping company for small businesses, you can organize your shipping process and utilize small parcel delivery in the best way possible to make your customers happy.

While small freight delivery or lightweight parcels may not be as technologically advanced as small parcel delivery, with the right thinking and creativity in your shipping process, you'll keep costs down and remain as assertive as possible with your business.