The ultimate comparison matrix for international shipping carriers
Lowest prices for personal shipments
Best B2B and ground services
Fastest and most reliable
Best for Europe and Asia
| Feature | USPS | UPS | FedEx | DHL |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | $14.25 | $45+ | $50+ | $45+ |
| Speed Range | 1-21 days | 1-7 days | 1-5 days | 1-4 days |
| Max Weight | 70 lbs | 150 lbs | 150 lbs | 150 lbs |
| On-Time Performance | ~85% | 94% | 96% | 94% |
| Tracking Quality | Basic | Advanced | Advanced | Advanced |
| Insurance Included | $0-200 | $100 | $100 | $100 |
| Fuel Surcharge | 8.5% | 15.25% | 14.5% | 16% |
| Residential Fee | $0 | $6.40 | $6.90 | $5.75 |
| Remote Area Fee | $0 | $4.10 | $4.50 | $22.00 |
| Flat Rate Options | Yes | No | No | No |
| Saturday Delivery | Limited | Available | Available | Limited |
| Money-Back Guarantee | Express only | Yes | Yes | Limited |
| Region | USPS | UPS | FedEx | DHL |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| North America | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| Europe | ⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Asia-Pacific | ⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Latin America | ⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| Middle East | ⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Africa | ⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Documents | DHL Express |
| Small packages (<4 lbs) | USPS |
| Medium packages (5-20 lbs) | UPS |
| Heavy packages (>50 lbs) | FedEx |
| Temperature-controlled | FedEx |
| Hazardous materials | FedEx |
| Lowest cost | USPS |
| Fastest delivery | FedEx |
| Best tracking | FedEx |
| Business services | UPS |
| Customer service | FedEx |
| Global reach | DHL |
| Destination | Best Value | Fastest | Most Reliable | Overall Best |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Canada | USPS | FedEx | UPS | USPS |
| United Kingdom | USPS | DHL | FedEx | DHL |
| Germany | USPS | DHL | DHL | DHL |
| Japan | USPS | FedEx | FedEx | FedEx |
| China | USPS | DHL | FedEx | DHL |
| Australia | USPS | FedEx | FedEx | FedEx |
| Brazil | USPS | FedEx | FedEx | FedEx |
| India | USPS | DHL | DHL | DHL |