All Things Shipping
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Apr 20, 2018

DHL, UPS, and FedEx Same-day Delivery Options

DHL, UPS, and FedEx Same-day Delivery Options

Same-day delivery is no longer reserved for the major retailers. Now that DHL, UPS, and FedEx are offering day-of delivery, it’s a great time to take a deeper look at how your business might be able to offer this service to your customers.

Especially since a quarter of online shoppers would abandon a cart if same-day shipping were not available, it’s important for retailers of all sizes to consider adding these faster delivery options to their shipping mix.

Let’s take a deeper look at the DHL, UPS, and FedEx same-day delivery options available for e-commerce businesses.

Same-day Delivery Option: DHL Parcel Metro

In March of 2018, DHL eCommerce announced its new shipping service for domestic B2C same-day and next-day shipments: DHL Parcel Metro.

DHL Parcel Metro creates a “virtual delivery network” of local and regional delivery vendors and crowdsourced drivers and vehicles to ensure maximum flexibility and capacity over the last-mile. It’s currently available in select cities and regions: Chicago, New York, and Los Angeles. It has since expand to cities such as Dallas, Atlanta, San Francisco and Washington, D.C. among others.

DHL Parcel Metro currently has three service offerings: Metro Same Day with critical entry as late as 2 p.m., and Metro Next Day which has a cut off as late as 11:59 p.m. available. Metro Now offers delivery within two hours of order receipt.

The service supports packages weighing up to 25 pounds with maximum dimensions 36 inches in length and 24 inches in width.

DHL Same-day Shipping Option: DHL Parcel Metro

Same-day Delivery Option: UPS Express Critical

UPS Express Critical provides urgent and same-day delivery options for many types of packages and locations. In fact, UPS offers access to virtually any kind of aircraft or vehicle needed for urgent and same-day delivery, including delivery via air, surface, charter, hand carry, etc. It also has value-added services, like special equipment or shipping handling to customize to your specific needs.

UPS Express Critical provides urgent and same-day delivery options for many types of packages and locations. In fact, UPS offers access to virtually any kind of aircraft or vehicle needed for urgent and same-day delivery, including delivery via air, surface, charter, hand carry, etc. It also has value-added services, like special equipment or shipping handling to customize to your specific needs.

You can lean on the team at UPS to assess a critical situation, identify transportation alternatives, and deliver your package in a way that meets your time and cost requirements. If you need special handling, like maneuvering through multiple entrances, stairs, etc., or unpacking and setup, UPS has a special inside delivery team that can support you.

Same-day Delivery Option: FedEx SameDay

FedEx SameDay supports cross-country delivery, scheduling your package to arrive at your customer’s door within hours.

The service is offered all seven days of the week, and available for delivery in all 50 states. FedEx accepts packages up to 150 pounds for each shipment; prior approval is required if any package in the shipment exceeds 70 pounds or if any one side of a package exceeds 48 inches.

For more information on how to start shipping via FedEx SameDay services, read the FedEx SameDay Services User Guide.

With the above shipping services, it’s never been easier to diversify your delivery arsenal—adding more options, like same-day shipping, to your mix. Offering same-day delivery ensures you won’t risk losing customers because you can’t accommodate their urgent needs.

If you’d like information about DHL Express, UPS, and FedEx, take a look at our recent comparison of select international rates. You might also be interested in our domestic rates comparison of FedEx vs. UPS vs. USPS.


Shippo is a multi-carrier API and web app that helps retailers, marketplaces and platforms connect to a global network of carriers. Businesses use Shippo to get real-time rates, print labels, automate international paperwork, track packages and facilitate returns. Shippo provides the tools to help businesses succeed through shipping.

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