Deep Dive Into UPS 3 Day Select® For Ecommerce Shipping

Time-sensitive delivery on domestic packages. Economical prices. That’s UPS 3 Day Select in a nutshell. Want to know more? Here’s how it works, how long it takes, how much it costs, and how to save. When you ship with UPS 3 Day Select, your package is guaranteed to be delivered within three days.

Introduction to Fast Shipping

In today’s fast-paced e-commerce world, customers expect their packages to arrive quickly and reliably. Fast shipping has become a key differentiator for businesses looking to stand out and build customer loyalty. That’s where UPS 3 Day Select comes in—a shipping service designed to deliver packages within three business days across the contiguous United States. With UPS 3 Day Select, businesses can offer day-definite delivery, giving customers confidence that their orders will arrive on time. This service strikes the perfect balance between speed and cost, making it an attractive option for both businesses and individuals. Plus, with features like tracking and optional insurance, UPS 3 Day Select ensures that every shipment is secure and easy to monitor from pickup to delivery.

What is UPS 3 Day Select®?

UPS 3 Day Select® as the name suggests, offers reliable delivery within three business days and is available for packages being shipped within the contiguous 48 United States.

Essentially, it’s a nice middle ground among UPS services between expediency and affordability. While it’s not as fast as other services like UPS 2nd Day Air® or UPS Next Day Air®, if you compare UPS 3 Day Select to these UPS services, you’ll find it offers a balance of speed and cost that may suit many shipping needs.

Note that tracking is included with UPS 3 Day Select®, and you can take advantage of free packaging from UPS. Insurance can also be added for an extra fee. Let’s break down the key features and benefits of UPS 3 Day Select to help you decide if it’s the right choice.

UPS 3 Day Select Benefits

Choosing UPS 3 Day Select means enjoying a host of benefits tailored to the needs of modern businesses and their customers. The service guarantees reliable delivery within three business days, making it ideal for urgent shipments that can’t wait but don’t require overnight speed. For businesses, this means you can deliver packages quickly without paying premium rates, helping you save on shipping costs and protect your bottom line. UPS 3 Day Select also offers Saturday delivery in select locations, expanding your delivery window and providing more flexibility for your customers. With access to a variety of additional services, businesses can customize their shipping experience to fit their unique needs. Ultimately, UPS 3 Day Select delivers the perfect balance of speed, cost, and service—helping you keep your customers happy and your business running smoothly.

How Long Does UPS 3 Day Select® Take?

UPS 3 Day Select® delivery time is three business days. Business days include Monday through Friday. This service is ideal for shipments with critical deadlines that are not urgent, ensuring reliable and timely arrival within the specified timeframe.

For example, a 3-pound package shipped from New York to Los Angeles using UPS 3 Day Select® will typically arrive within three business days, offering a cost-effective solution for important deliveries.

Day Delivery Guarantees

One of the standout features of UPS 3 Day Select is its day-definite delivery guarantee. When you choose this service, you can count on your packages arriving by the end of the third business day—no guesswork involved. Business days are defined as Monday through Friday, excluding weekends and holidays, so you can easily determine the exact delivery date for each shipment. This level of predictability is especially valuable for businesses that need to coordinate inventory, manage customer expectations, or meet specific deadlines. With UPS 3 Day Select, both businesses and customers can plan with confidence, knowing that their packages will arrive on schedule.

How Late Can a UPS Package Arrive?

It will arrive by the end of the third business day, at the latest. Specific delivery times vary by delivery route and volume.

What's the Difference Between UPS® Ground and UPS 3 Day Select®?

Packages sent through UPS® Ground typically take one to five business days to arrive, depending on the distance between the seller and recipient. UPS Three Day Select® service, on the other hand, offers air transport delivery that takes a maximum of three business days to arrive. Other major carriers like FedEx also offer similar expedited shipping services for e-commerce businesses.

While packages often arrive in less than five days with UPS® Ground shipping (as quickly as the end of the day next business day for nearby locations in some cases), it’s generally considered to be the more economical of the two services. When it comes to the question of UPS® Ground vs UPS 3 Day Select® services, the latter will usually get your package to a customer more quickly. UPS 3 Day Select® delivers within the contiguous 48 United States. However, it does not deliver to Alaska or Hawaii. As a result, for more urgent shipments, you’ll typically want to go with UPS 3 Day Select® vs UPS® Ground.

UPS 3 Day Select® includes limited liability coverage for your shipments, and you have the option to purchase additional declared value coverage to protect valuable packages.

Does UPS 3 Day Select®Include Weekends?

Yes, but only in select locations on Saturdays specifically. Furthermore, it is only available for Shippo API users and will require them to manually request a Saturday delivery at no extra charge.

Unfortunately, Saturday delivery is not available for Web App users at this time.

How Large Can a Package Be?

You can send packages that weigh up to 150 pounds through UPS 3 Day Select®. These packages can also have a maximum length of 108 inches and a maximum combined length and girth of 165 inches. Packages that exceed these weight and size limits are subject to additional fees.

What's notable is that this is more than double the weight you can send through USPS (limited to only 70 pounds). The maximum combined length and girth is also considerably larger, as you're limited to 130 inches when shipping through USPS. As a result, UPS tends to be the better option if you're sending domestic packages over 70 pounds.

Additional Services

UPS 3 Day Select goes beyond just reliable delivery by offering a suite of additional services to enhance your shipping experience. For added security, you can request signature confirmation, including the Adult Signature Required option, ensuring that your packages are delivered only to an adult recipient. Businesses and customers also have the flexibility to use their own packaging or take advantage of UPS-branded packaging, depending on their needs. For those shipping internationally, UPS 3 Day Select includes customs clearance services, streamlining the process and reducing potential delays. These additional services make UPS 3 Day Select a comprehensive shipping solution, giving businesses and customers the tools they need for secure, efficient, and customized package delivery.

Does UPS Offer Flexible Delivery Options

UPS understands that every customer has unique needs when it comes to receiving their packages. That’s why UPS 3 Day Select offers a range of flexible delivery options designed to fit different lifestyles and schedules. With Direct Delivery Only, you can ensure that your package is delivered to the intended address without being rerouted or left with a neighbor. If you prefer to pick up your package at your convenience, the Hold for Pickup option allows you to collect your shipment from a secure UPS Customer Center. Additionally, UPS Access Point locations provide even more flexibility, letting customers pick up their packages from convenient, secure locations across the country. These flexible delivery options make UPS 3 Day Select a smart choice for businesses and individuals who value convenience, security, and control over their package delivery.

Can You Save Money on UPS 3 Day Select®?

Generally speaking, UPS 3 Day Select service is already one of the more economical domestic shipping options available with UPS. However, you can save even more and find UPS® Air discounts as high as 85% off with Shippo. These savings mean you can keep more cash in your bank account and maximize your financial benefits. Using Shippo can also help your business earn extra cash or get paid faster through optimized shipping solutions. Plus, Shippo's platform allows you to track your payments and manage your pay cycles efficiently, making it easier to stay on top of your finances.

But that’s not all you can do with Shippo. You can also:

• Easily create commercial invoices and packing slips
• Print scan-based and standalone return labels for streamlined returns
• Validate addresses to ensure packages always reach the right destination
• Generate UPS End of Day reports for shipments
• Send customers delivery alerts and notifications to keep them up-to-date on the status of their packages
• Leverage comprehensive analytics to track shipping spend, efficiency, and history
• Take advantage of flexible payment options, including different payment methods and payments at delivery, for added convenience

Learn more about everything you can do with Shippo, as well as how it can help your e-commerce business grow and save.

FAQ: UPS 3 Day Select® Shipping

1. How long does UPS 3 Day Select take, and is delivery guaranteed?
UPS 3 Day Select guarantees delivery within three business days (Monday–Friday). Packages arrive by the end of the third business day, providing predictable, day-definite delivery for time-sensitive but non-urgent shipments.

2. How is UPS 3 Day Select different from UPS Ground?
UPS Ground takes 1–5 business days depending on distance, while UPS 3 Day Select uses air transport to guarantee delivery in three days or less within the contiguous U.S. UPS 3 Day Select is faster but typically costs more than Ground.

3. Does UPS 3 Day Select include weekend delivery?
Yes—Saturday delivery is available only in select locations, and only for Shippo API users who manually request it. The feature is not available through Shippo’s Web App.

4. What are the size and weight limits for UPS 3 Day Select?
Packages can weigh up to 150 lbs, with a maximum 108-inch length and a maximum 165-inch length + girth. These limits are significantly higher than USPS, making UPS the better choice for heavier domestic shipments.

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