Cheapest Shipping For Small Business In 2025 Helpful Guide

Finding the cheapest way to ship is a daunting task. Especially with the TONS of false advertising out there.

This is different…

We are a Chinese freight company with ten years of shipping experience. We’ve helped thousands of clients find, load, and ship products to their DOORSTEP. 

We’ll help you find the cheapest shipping for small business. So you don’t have to cough up thousands on shipping every year.

By the end, you’ll know;

• Best practices to reduce shipping costs
• Advantages of multiple carriers
• Cheapest shipping companies for small businesses
• Our secret tips for small business shipping

Let’s go…

Basics Knowledge of Shipping

So what’s shipping?  

A CLASSIC definition would be moving a package(s) from a warehouse to the buyer. 

Shipping can be done in three forms; land (ground), air, or water. We won’t dwell on that since you already know how they work. 

So how does the shipping process work? 

SIMPLE!

There are three easy steps involved in shipping:

• Receiving the order: ensure you have enough stock to process the order. 
• Processing the order: involves picking, packing, weighing, and choosing the suitable carrier. Oh, and don’t forget to add shipping labels to your packages.
• Ship out the order: update the shipping status on your website. And e-mail the tracking number to your customer. DONE!

Now let’s dive into the nitty-gritty details of why you are here.

How to Reduce Shipping Costs for Small Businesses?

We know shipping can be expensive! Especially if you are launching an e-commerce business. 

But there’s a solution… (used by mega-rich eCommerce gurus)

Let’s see how you can save THOUSANDS a year on shipping. 

1. Ensure you have a correct-fit packaging

Using the right packaging SIGNIFICANTLY reduce shipping prices. 

Don’t fall into the trap of buying larger packaging material for fear that your package won’t fit. Instead, use packaging that’s just a little bigger than the product. For example, use a soft envelope instead of a flat rate medium box for small packages. 

Another crucial thing…

Always RESEARCH before settling on any shipping company. Many shippers (e.g., USPS Priority Mail) offer free shipping options that save you money. 

2. Get rid of excess weight from your package.

Weight is MONEY. For sure. 

For you– it means that the heavier the package, the higher the shipping charges. 

You will find that you spend an extra $1 on shipping. 

Just a dollar, huh? YES! $1. 

Now think about spending that extra dollar on 800 shipments. That’s FR**KING $800. Let’s go crazy and talk of 1000 shipments- $1000 on shipping alone? (***EYES WIDE OPEN***)

Here are expert tips on reducing shipping fees and increasing profit margins:

• Use lightweight packaging materials such as bubble wraps, foam inserts, air pillows, etc. 

They ensure packages are tight to reduce shipping weight.

• Try corrugated boxes often; they are light compared to cardboard boxes. Thus, they keep the overall weight and costs low.

3. Adopt third-party insurance cover

As a small business owner, you should not spend too much on extra services (e.g., shipping). Basically, major carriers offer shipping insurance rates. For example, USPS priority mail charges up to $3.45 for packages between $100-$300.

But a third-party insurance provider offers half that amount. Oh, and you can claim your order without a headache!

What is the Cheapest Shipping for Small Businesses?

Well, it depends…

• What’s the weight of your package?
• Are you shipping locally or internationally?

In other words, shipping rates are determined GREATLY by where you operate and what you ship. 

USPS first class mail is BY FAR the cheapest shipping solution for packages under 1lb in the U.S. 

Prices start from as low as $4.80 for small packages. 

We recommend using USPS priority mail for packages between 1-5 lbs. Their pricing starts from $8.50, depending on the package’s dimensional weight. Anything above 5lbs, use UPS, FedEx, or DHL express. 

So what about shipping internationally? 

DHL express HANDS DOWN the cheapest international delivery services. And their services are pretty cool too. For instance, you get real-time monitoring that ensures your package arrives on time. 

Do you know what else is cool?

They allow you to integrate their services into your online store. This helps you track orders and keep up with DHL’s live shipping rates. 

Other EXCELLENT international shipping companies include Leeline sourcing and Ship Bob. (More on them in a few).

How do Small Businesses Ship Products from China?

Here’s how to ship products from China THE RIGHT WAY!

1. Obtain a quote from a shipping agent

Don’t rush to find the right manufacturer or supplier (although it seems right). 

Find a reputable shipping agent FIRST who understands the Chinese business culture. They’ll help you run sourcing and shipping processes more smoothly. Better than having to do it all yourself. 

We at Leeline will help you with the following:

• Find selling products
• Find the right suppliers and selling products 
• Conduct quality control 
• Ship products to your location

Click here to learn more about shipping from China to the USA. 

2. Close the deal

Alright, you are now an inch closer to importing products. But first, you need to sign & seal a deal that will protect you from scams or fraudulent activities. It also ensures that prices won’t change unless there’s a mutual agreement. 

Pro Tip: NEVER buy in bulk on the first attempt. Order a few samples. You’ll to gain insight into the product’s quality and the carrier’s reliability. If none meets your expectation, feel free to seek BETTER OPTIONS.

What are the Advantages of Using Multiple Carriers?

There are plenty of reasons why you should use multiple carriers. The common ones are:

• Timely delivery

Relying on a single shipping company is DETRIMENTAL to the success of your business. Covid proved that already- disrupting the entire supply chain of businesses in weeks. 

Major carriers had to slap heavy volume restrictions on customers. Hence forcing them to seek a better option. This greatly resulted in higher shipping costs and disrupted business operations. a 

So you have to be flexible enough to meet customer expectations amidst unexpected circumstances. And you can do this using multi-carrier shipping services that will deliver packages regardless of the situation. 

• Flexibility

Believe it or not, the cheapest shipping services aren’t always the BEST. 

But why? The answer is simple!

Most of them only offer what’s best for your company, NOT the customer. 

Multi-carrier shipping services will help you find a perfect balance between cost and efficiency. Thus, you can reach customers in rural areas in China and around the globe. 

Also, you get the flexibility to pick the fastest shipping options for tight deadlines (or same-day delivery). And standard shipping options for regular shipments. 

• Ability to meet ALL customer requests 

Most B2B customers have a preference for certain types of shipping companies. Some customers want single-day delivery, while others want same-day delivery.  

Multiple carriers give you the flex of meeting all these demands like a boss.

Single shipping carriers don’t offer the flexibility of changing the initial shipping arrangements. They might place heavy penalties, which only increases costs. Penalties might even go up to $250!

Cheapest Shipping Companies for Small Businesses 

In this section, we’ll cover shipping companies based on the following:

• Shipping rates
• Features
• Delivery speeds

Without further ado, here are the best shipping companies that will ACTUALLY SAVE YOU MONEY.

· Leelinesourcing

Leeline Sourcing is China’s leading and most affordable shipping option. 

Leeline is a one-stop solution for all your logistics needs. This means that they handle everything from sourcing, loading, shipping, customs clearance in the USA, and unloading products. EVERYTHING! So you have more time making sales and planning that next trip to Dubai (just kidding).

Leeline offers both sea and air shipping (PERFECT for low-value goods). Their sea shipping packages include the following;

• CIF: covers all costs necessary to deliver the package to your final destination
• EXW (Ex Works): Leeline finds the product for you and stores it in their warehouse. Your forwarder then picks the package from their warehouse and ships it to your destination. EASY PEASY.

And unlike pretty much every other shipping company, there are NO UPFRONT costs. You only pay once you are happy with the entire shipping process. Thus, your money is safe at all times.

Speaking of payments…

Leeline is pretty affordable than most of its competitors. If you need the best shipping company with up to 50% OFF normal shipping rates, then it’s the perfect option. 

Other additional services include inventory management, quality inspection, FBA prep services, and so much more.

· Shenzhen Marine Shipping Agency

Shenzhen Marine shipping agency is an EXCELLENT alternative for cash-strapped small business owners. 

Shenzhen offers;

• Warehousing storage
• Cargo forwarding
• Third-party shipping services
• Ship Broker

Shenzhen is the BEST at what they do. This is evidenced by their multi-million partnerships with top brands such as British Gas International PLC. Others include Transocean, Pioneer Drilling Co., Ltd, Universal Industries Asia Pacific, etc. 

One big downside is that their website is HARD to navigate. And it’s programmed in Chinese, making international buyers shy away from it. 

Click here to learn more about Shenzhen Marine Agency and its rates.

· ShipBob

Apart from having a fancy name in the industry, ShipBob is a great small business shipping company. 

Here’s why…

It allows you to seamlessly integrate into your online store. Just install the plugin to your e-commerce platform, and ShipBob handles the rest. 

Once customers place an order, ShipBob picks (from your warehouse), packs, and ships orders STRAIGHT to your buyer’s doorstep. 

All these are at a flat rate shipping rate of $35. Pretty sweet, right?

What about their shipping speed?

One-word answer-SWIFT!

ShipBob has a 2-day delivery speed across the continental U.S. You don’t have to worry about late shipments or shipments taking months. EVER.

Also, ShipBob has over 30 fulfillment centers spread across U.S., U.K., E.U., Australia, and Canada. Hence, faster shipping process and reduced costs. 

One drawback is that orders and product pages are a bit slow at times. But generally, it’s 100% worth your money.

· UPS

UPS is a total rockstar in the shipping industry and outshines most of the shipping services on this list. 

They have the best competitive rates and shipping resources than their nearest competitors. 

Why we chose it?

UPS is not just any regular shipping carrier. They offer a complete step-by-step guide on how to prepare and palletize shipments. You don’t have to spend hours and hours learning by yourself, which can be draining. 

Shipping charges start from as little as $9.45. And they also have crazy shipping discounts for small business owners. 

Now here’s the catch…

Shipping charges vary depending on delivery speed. The faster the delivery process, the higher the charges. 

The company offers four shipment speeds;

• Delivery in five business days
• Delivery in three business days
• Delivery in two business days
• Single-day delivery 

What we don’t like?

Larger shipment packages are expensive as hell. Which makes it inappropriate for small business owners on tight budgets.

· Shengyu Freight

Shengyu Freight is one of the best options for small business shipping in China and the world. 

They are perfect for shipping low-value goods thanks to their affordable shipping rates. 

They are a perfect fit if you want to reduce shipping costs and focus more on marketing. Or sales-generating business operations such as finding more customers.

Tips For Small Business Shipping

Imagine if you could save up to $100 on shipping EVERY MONTH. 

SERIOUSLY! We know a way to put $100 into your bank account. Spend it on that Black Panther cinema ticket (or ANYTHING YOU WISH). 

That is 100% True! Here’s how…

1. Have a reliable shipping strategy

If you want a SHOT at success, you need a clearly defined shipping strategy. 

Ask yourself the following questions:

• What’s the best shipping solution for my business? Are you looking for a faster or standard delivery option? You might want to consider a single-carrier or multi-carrier(for flexibility).
• Where will I sell my products? Don’t focus on one platform. Try multiple e-commerce platforms such as Shopify, Amazon, or eBay. And watch how your profits TRIPLE! Each platform has its shipping requirements, so you need to research adequately.
• Should I outsource? Yes, it will save you much time since handling shipments alone can be a nightmare. Try outsourcing third-party shipment companies (e.g., Leeline sourcing) to handle the whole process. 

2. Understand shipping costs – make informed decisions 

So far, we’ve mentioned that shipping costs vary depending on the delivery speed at least twice. 

Did you know that there are other additional factors? They include:

• Services: Extra services such as insurance, tracking, and packaging skyrocket shipping costs. Thus you need to analyze carrier option that offers services that fit your budget.
• Shipping volume: If you are constantly shipping, then you might get volume-based discounts from your carrier. Goes a long way in cutting shipping costs. 
• Dimensional weight: The larger the package, the greater the delivery rates. Especially for USPS (united states postal service) priority mail express carriers. 

Understanding these factors will help you in setting your shipping budget. 

3. Reconsider using third-party insurance

Insurance is CRITICAL but can turn out to be costly. 

Basically, shipping options offer insurance at $1-$100. Pretty expensive. But that party insurance covers all shipments at HALF THE AMOUNT!

Verdict 

We’ve covered basically everything you need to start shipping from anywhere on earth. 

REMEMBER: Shipping rates vary depending on speed, services, weight, and volume. 

So you need to choose a provider that offers what you want but fits perfectly into your budget. This way, you’ll avoid a scenario where you can’t pay the delivery charges and customers are waiting for their packages.

FAQs about Cheapest Shipping For Small Business

What’s Next

Shipping doesn’t have to be expensive ANYMORE. 

You can use the above shipping carriers to save money on each shipment. 

Our advice: Not every shipping option is BEST for your business. First, understand what you and your customers want. Then find a carrier that strikes a perfect balance between the two. 

So, do you want to ship products from China? Or inspect the quality of products before shipment? Worry no more! Just send us a request at our contact pages, and our team will gladly help!