Who's cheapest at shipping UPS, USPS or FedX?

[M1NM]

Have to ship an M1 to a dealer in Maryland. I'm going to go ground with adult signature required.
Thanks

[ugimports]

Have to ship an M1 to a dealer in Maryland. I'm going to go ground with adult signature required.
Thanks

Your best bet is to go to each website and obtain a quote. Depending on your box size, and insurance options, residential delivery, etc.. may impact the price. In general I believe USPS is cheaper, but if you have an account with UPS or FedEx that may trump it. Or UPS Store / FedEx Kinkos might have some promo in your area to investigate.

Still, website quoting is your friend because that will give you exact costs and if they are only +/- a few bucks from USPS that may have you select a more reliable carrier (UPS/FedEx in most cases)

[kemasa]

My personal experience is that FedEx ground would be the cheapest. USPS insurance is expensive. I have heard that if you ship it registered, the insurance is cheaper, but registered is more expensive, so it would mainly work for expensive items.

As said, check the rates on the web pages.

[ronlglock]

A couple things to think about besides the prices on the web pages:

• You get a 5% rebate on Fedex shipping if you have one of the Amex Open cards targeted at small business - https://www.americanexpress.com/us/small-business/
• See if any professional organizations you belong to offer a discount shipping card to use at UPS or Fedex. NRA offers discounts through their Business Alliance Program: http://www.nrablog.com/post/2009/12/...x-benefit.aspx

[jdben92883]

FedEx ground to a business will almost always be cheapest. USPS insurance rates are a joke. UPS has jacked theirs up as well.

[kemasa]

It all depends on what you are shipping. Something small and cheap is often better off going USPS, especially if one of the many flat rate priority boxes makes sense, but you have to compare them. Sometimes the Regional box is cheaper, sometimes not. Bigger items are better for FedEx ground. Handguns are best for FFLs to ship USPS due to the greedy policy of FedEx and UPS for overnight shipping (second day air is possible with a contract with them). Shipping to Alaska, Hawaii, etc. are most likely best for USPS.

If you ship a lot, then you might be able to get a better deal with a contract.