UPS is a trusted global shipping provider, known for its reliable delivery services. However, it is always a good idea to check if there is a better alternative for your specific needs. In this article, we will outline the advantages and disadvantages of UPS and explore alternative options provided by ParcelParcel, including DHL and FedEx, to help you choose the best shipping partner for your needs.
Chantal has been writing about logistics topics for almost two decades and has worked for major international carriers.
UPS offers a number of advantages that make it a strong contender in the shipping industry:
Global reach: UPS delivers to over 220 countries, ensuring worldwide coverage.
Reliable delivery times: Known for its consistency, UPS is trusted for on-time delivery.
Flexible delivery options: Offers a variety of services, including same-day, next-day, and standard shipping.
Tracking system: UPS provides comprehensive tracking options, allowing customers to monitor their shipment’s journey.
Wide range of services: Includes solutions for small businesses, e-commerce, and freight shipping.
Curious how much UPS costs compared to other carriers? Take a look at our: Free shipping cost calculator.
Despite its strong reputation, UPS has a few disadvantages that may prompt users to seek alternatives:
Higher costs for express services: UPS’s faster shipping options, such as next-day delivery, can be expensive.
Complex international shipping: While UPS offers international shipping, customs and import duties can be challenging to navigate.
Limited customer support: UPS’s customer service may not always provide the level of personal support that small businesses or individuals require.
Fewer discounts for occasional shippers: UPS tends to offer better rates for high-volume shippers, which may not benefit occasional senders.
ParcelParcel offers alternatives to UPS, such as DHL and FedEx, providing a flexible range of services to fit your shipping needs. Below is a comparison of how UPS stacks up against its competitors:
UPS | DHL | DPD | FedEx | PostNL | |
Service Areas | Global | Global | Mainly Europe | Extensive global | Primarily NL; intl. |
Delivery Speed | Express (1-3 days) | Express (1-3 days) | Standard & express | Express (1-3 days) | Standard & express |
Tracking | Detailed tracking | Detailed tracking | Basic to premium | Advanced tracking | Basic to advanced |
Pricing | Competitive | Competitive | Generally lower | Varies, often higher | Competitive in NL |
Customer Service | 24/7 support | 24/7 support | Good in Europe | 24/7 support | Good in NL |
Environmental | Sustainable initiatives | Sustainable initiatives | Carbon footprint focus | Green logistics | Sustainable shipping |
ParcelParcel provides more than just price comparisons between UPS, DHL, and FedEx. Here’s why it’s worth considering ParcelParcel as your go-to shipping platform:
Personalized support: Receive hands-on help with customs paperwork, including HS codes, and personalized advice based on your shipping needs.
Cost-effective options: ParcelParcel allows you to easily compare rates from top carriers, ensuring you get the best deal for each shipment.
Discounts and offers: ParcelParcel offers exclusive discounts, such as 10% off your first shipment using the code PP10.
Real-time tracking and quick support: Get full visibility of your shipments and fast customer service that caters to your individual needs.
Insurance options: Protect your shipments with available insurance options to safeguard against loss or damage.
Money-saving opportunities: Benefit from our cost-effective solutions and find ways to save on your shipping expenses.
While UPS is a reliable and well-established shipping provider, it might not always offer the flexibility or cost savings you need. ParcelParcel makes it easy to compare UPS with alternatives like DHL and FedEx, helping you find the best carrier for your specific shipment. Plus, with ParcelParcel’s customer-focused approach, you can enjoy extra support, better prices, and a smoother shipping experience.
Tip: Register for free on ParcelParcel to compare shipping rates from UPS, DHL, and FedEx in real time.
Don’t forget to use the code PP10 for a 10% discount on your first shipment!
You can instantly check the shipping costs through our rate calculator. Enter the weight, dimensions, and destination country of your shipment, and you will see all available shipping options along with their respective delivery times. The calculator can be used to compare shipping rates for both export and import shipments.
If you need help calculating a shipping rate, watch the video below. Click on the 
button to play the video and the 
icon to view the video in fullscreen.
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Shipping costs are calculated based on dimensions (LxWxH in cm), weight (in kg), and the destination country. Both the actual weight (as shown on the scale) and the volumetric weight are considered.
The volumetric weight is the weight calculated based on the space your shipment occupies in the plane. The higher of the two weights (volumetric or actual weight) is used to calculate the shipping rate. You don't need to calculate this yourself; our calculator does it for you.
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You can use the discount code PP10 for 10% discount on the transportation costs of your first shipment. You can apply the discount code during the checkout process (instructions).
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Whether additional costs apply depends on whether your shipment stays within the European Union or is sent to/from a country outside the European Union. Below, you can see the additional costs for each situation.
Within the European Union
If, for example, you send a shipment from the Netherlands to Italy (within the EU), there will be an additional 21% VAT on the shipping costs.
Furthermore, if your shipment stays within the European Union, you won't have to deal with any import duties or customs clearance fees because your shipment doesn't go through customs. Please note that the European Union is not the same as Europe.
View here all the countries that are part of the European Union. For example, Switzerland is part of Europe but not part of the European Union.
Outside the European Union
If, for example, you send a shipment from the Netherlands to the United States, there will be no VAT (0%) applied to the displayed shipping rates.
However, there might be import duties levied by customs in the destination country if you send a shipment to/from a country outside the European Union. Typically, customs costs are charged to the recipient. This is known as Delivered At Place (DAP) in logistics terminology.
Customs is a government agency that levies import duties in certain cases to protect the local market. As a company, you can also ship using Delivered Duty Paid (DDP), which means any customs costs will be charged to you as the sender.
If you have any questions about this topic, feel free to contact us. Additionally, you can read everything about import duties, VAT, and the customs clearance process in this blog.
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A customs invoice is a form where all the goods you want to ship are specified. This invoice includes an English description of the goods, along with their corresponding value and weight.
The contents of your shipment must be specified per type of product you're sending to avoid delays at customs. A customs invoice is always prepared in quadruplicate in accordance with customs guidelines.
When is a customs invoice required?
A customs invoice is only required for shipments to/from countries outside the European Union (e.g., Netherlands - United States). If your shipment stays within the European Union (e.g., Netherlands - Italy), your shipment will not go through customs, and therefore, a customs invoice is not required.
Additionally, document shipments are not subject to customs, so if you're sending a document to a country within/outside the European Union, no customs invoice is needed.
Please note that not all goods can be shipped to every country. You can find a list of goods that cannot be sent via ParcelParcel on this page.
Do I need to create a customs invoice myself?
If you're sending a shipment to/from a country outside the European Union, it's mandatory to include a customs invoice with the shipment. We provide free support in creating a customs invoice.
You can easily generate a customs invoice through our shipping platform. The customs invoice will be automatically generated based on the content you specified during your booking.
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You can import just as easily as export via ParcelParcel.
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You can find a list of goods that cannot be shipped via ParcelParcel on this page.
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