UNPACKING FAST FULFILLMENT AND DELIVERY
that are faster-than- standard, according to Shopify, a provider of ecommerce solutions. The types of expedited shipping solutions can vary, depending on whether a shipment will remain within the United States or travel outside it. Within the United States, shippers can choose from an expansive universe of private carriers, as well as the U.S. Postal Service. It’s often worth evaluating multiple
from the United States into Canada via the U.S. Postal Service are charged both tax and duty, says Barbara Rausch, global account manager with ePost Global, which offers international mail and parcel services. In contrast, the tax threshold for items moving through a commercial clearance, such as a broker, is $40 CAD and the duty threshold is $150 CAD. (CAD, or Cash Against Documents, is a method for securing payment where a seller releases shipping documents to a buyer only after the buyer makes payment.) These differences can in uence what service and carrier it makes sense for shippers to use. In addition, the effectiveness of postal carriers can vary from one country to another, Rausch says. Shippers will want to rely on private delivery companies in markets where the postal systems are less robust, particularly when speed is critical. It’s also important to consider the geopolitical climate of the destination country. An expedited service may make sense when shipping into con ict areas.
EVRi’s Next-Day Delivery service aims to deliver parcels on the next working day across the UK, provided the parcel is dropped o at a ParcelShop or Locker before the noon cut-o.
“Air freight and premium shipping lanes become essential tools to navigate around global uncertainty and regulatory complexity,” says Gaurang Shastri, managing director with Lincoln International, an investment banking advisor. The expedited shipping sector is responding to shifting consumer preferences and geopolitical events. Historically, a handful of companies offered express services, says John Sansby, director of global partnerships with EVRi, a UK-based parcel delivery company. They provided a complete ecosystem, including their planes and hubs, but tended to be expensive. Now, regional carriers, especially in the United States, are enjoying strong growth. Many of these carriers had focused on pharmaceutical and other high-value items. More recently, they began to add ecommerce deliveries to their service offerings. By assembling a mix of regional and national carriers, many shippers can access a range of expedited services to nd the ones that best meet their needs. Types of Expedited Solutions Just about every carrier has its own names and de nitions for expedited shipping services. In general, however, “expedited shipping” refers to times
carriers before partnering with one. Many regional and alternative carriers operate seven days per week, even for standard services. When this is the case, packages can move to their destinations quickly, yet at a lower cost than some expedited services might charge. Technology advances also allow many smaller carriers to provide more customized and quicker service, says Steve Howard, ecommerce solutions director with WCAworld, a network of independent freight forwarders. For instance, carrier management systems can help businesses handle multiple relationships with freight carriers and ensure they’re working with the ones that best meet their needs. Functions can include tracking shipments in real time and benchmarking carrier performance. Crossing Borders The 2025 cross-border ecommerce market is worth an estimated $1.21 trillion, according to Capital One Shopping. More than 30% of online shoppers in the United States have purchased from an online retailer in another country, the report notes. When working across borders, knowing the rules is crucial to keeping packages moving. For example, shipments over $20 Canadian traveling
34 Inbound Logistics • November 2025
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