What is a UPS SurePost package

What is UPS SurePost, how it works, and how you can benefit from it?
Blog cover

Last update:

June 22, 2023
What is UPS SurePost, how it works, and how you can benefit from it?Here you will learn about UPS SurePost and all the main elements. It is a new addition to the realm of shipping that can assist you more than you can imagine. 

We all know how shipping works. You will call and schedule a package pickup from the desired shipping provider, they will come, take over the package, and deliver. This is simple for you, but not so simple for shipping companies. For them, this is a much longer task and they always must deliver it to the targeted location no matter what. When shopping online 90% of the shoppers claim that free shipping is the main reason why they do it. Now there is a new service that can help you. It is called UPS SurePost and it looks promising. So, what is it really? 

UPS SurePost: What is it actually?

All shipping companies work in the same way. They pick up the package and deliver it. They obviously must take to the targeted location and locate the recipient. For that they use a massive network of curriers and package centers located across the country.

Until now, UPS and all others had to deliver the package from the sender to the recipient completely. The last part of the delivery is the most expensive and known as ‘’last mile’’. This means that UPS will have to deliver a single package to one location, which obviously increases the cost of service.

When a customer selects UPS SurePost as their shipping method, UPS will transport the package from the shipper to the destination city or town. Once it arrives at the local post office, the USPS will then handle the final delivery to the recipient's door. This shipping optionis ideal for businesses that regularly ship small or lightweight items to residential addresses.

How much can you save using it?

In general, when using UPS SurePost you can save up to 20%. This is a considerable saving for all of you who send dozens of packages per week. For example, you will need to pay $13.64 for a UPS ground residential service between Florida and New York. But, UPS SurePost will cost you $10.52. This will save you $3.12.

In another sample we can see that a package from Florida to California, UPS ground residential will cost you $15.04. UPS SurePost for the same shipment will cost you $11.92. Once again, the savings is $3.12.

The service won’t increase the cost of weekend deliveries, which is great. But, the price can be increased if your package doesn’t meet the requirements. A package that is above 17 inches, but still under 30 inches will be paired with an additional fee of $2.50. 

Now you may believe that because the UPS SurePost is cheaper, it will need more time to deliver a package. In reality, the delivery time frame is the same as with UPS ground residential. This means that the delivery will last between 2 and 7 days, depending on the location and a package can be delivered on Saturdays. It cannot be delivered on Sunday. 

Pros and cons of UPS SurePost

UPS SurePost looks promising and it is already one additional service many shipping companies are using. However like everything else, you need to know about the main advantages and the main cons of the service. They will be explained below.

Pros of UPS SurePost:

  • Packages are delivered on Saturdays without any extra fees
  • The cost is 20% more affordable compared to UPS ground residential
  • Unified method for tracking the package is still available
  • Integration to the shipping software is simple and straightforward
  • Delivery time is almost identical to other services

Cost-effective: One of the biggest advantages of UPS SurePost is its cost-effectiveness. This service is much cheaper than UPS's standard delivery options, making it an ideal choice for small businesses and individuals who need to keep their shipping costs low.

Reliable: While UPS SurePost may take slightly longer to deliver than other UPS delivery options, it is still a reliable service. Customers can track their packages throughout the entire shipping process, and UPS and USPS both have excellent track records for delivering packages on time.

Wide delivery area: UPS SurePost delivers to residential addresses throughout the United States, including Hawaii and Alaska, making it an excellent choice for businesses that need to reach customers across the country.

Cons of UPS SurePost:

  • In some cases, it will require more time to deliver the package
  • Senders must use their own boxes
  • A tracking system is complicated for some users
  • Shipping from contiguous US states (48 of them) isn’t possible right now

Longer delivery times: Because UPS SurePost involves a collaboration between two different organizations, delivery times may be slightly longer than other UPS shipping options. However, this is usually only a day or two longer, and the cost savings may be worth it for many customers.

Limited package size and weight: UPS SurePost is designed for packages that weigh less than 70 pounds and have dimensions of less than 130 inches in length and girth combined. This may not be suitable for businesses that regularly ship larger items.

Limited tracking information: While UPS SurePost does offer package tracking number, the information provided may be limited compared to other UPS shipping options. This is because the USPS handles the final delivery, and their tracking system is not as robust as UPS's.

In general, using the UPS SurePost is simple and effective. Pairing it with your Ship Saving software is a very easy task and you will need under 30 seconds to complete the process. Keep in mind that Ship Saving is a powerful ally in your business and can help you with management and the invoices, packages, and shipments in general. 

Who will benefit the most with UPS SurePost?

UPS SurePost is an appealing service for many users across the United States. However, not all users will find it a must-use shipping method. Anyway, there are a few examples when UPS SurePost is just perfect. 

  • You send a dozen packages per week. You will obviously save at least $2-3 per package which is a worthy investment over a longer period of time.
  • In your location, last-mile delivery is getting more and more expensive. UPS SurePost is a more affordable option that allows you to use the same thing, just at a discount.
  • Sending packages isn’t urgent. You can send a package and it can be delivered in a time frame between 2 and 7 days. 
  • Your business is eligible for getting better, more affordable UPS weekly rates due to the massive package count you send every week.

The bottom line here is that UPS SurePost is designed for senders who want to use a clever way of saving more money while sending their packages on a regular basis. Even if you send a couple of packages per week, using UPS SurePost is still preferable and still a wide choice.


Delivering packages to military locations

UPS is unable to deliver packages to military locations such as fleet, air force, army, and Diplomatic post offices. On the other side, the USPS can. This means that a UPS SurePost package can be delivered to these locations, a clear advantage compared to ordinary UPS services. Just to add, UPS and similar companies cannot deliver packages to military locations due to security purposes. USPS has a higher authorization level allowing them to deliver without any issue. 

Shipping requirements

If you are planning to use UPS SurePost, you need to know about the requirements your packages must meet. The main ones are explained below.

  • A package must be under 130 inches (LxWxH) and the weight must be between 1 ounce and 15.9 ounces.
  • A package must be under 130 inches and the weight must be between 1 and 70 pounds.
  • A Sure Post Bound Pointed Matter form is needed when shipping printed content such as books and the weight must be between 0.05 and 15 pounds.
  • Sure Post media requires Sure Post media form as an addition when sending media files with a total weight of 0.45 kg up to 70 pounds. 

Should you use UPS SurePost starting today?

You may believe that UPS SurePost is one of a kind service and that it isn’t offered by rivals. However, the situation is completely different. Almost all major shipping companies have a similar feature. For example, FedEx SmartPost, which is basically the same thing. DHL Parcel metro also uses other companies to deliver a package over the last mile delivery. 

That being said, UPS SurePost is a safe and reliable shipping method you can and you should use if you are one of the users mentioned above. This simply means that you will get a discount on your shipping, the packages will be delivered in the same time frame and they can even be delivered on military-base locations. On the other hand, there are no major differences compared to traditional shipping services.

The final word

In conclusion, UPS SurePost is an affordable and reliable shipping option for businesses and individuals who need to ship small or lightweight packages to residential addresses. While it may not be suitable for larger packages or those that require extensive tracking information, it is an excellent choice for customers who need to keep their delivery costs low while still ensuring timely and dependable delivery.


Written on:

April 12, 2021
< Back to Blog Main Page