Expedited Carriers Guide 2020

Direct-to-consumer shipping costs can take up as much as 70% of a company’s total fulfillment budget, and can be a material percent of the average order value. That means shippers today are highly motivated to find ways to optimize transportation to be fast and affordable.

The shipping options available for e-commerce fulfillment seem confusing and never-ending: same-day, next-day, two-day, express, expedited, priority, standard, and others. Whatever option you choose, your customers expect their orders to be delivered faster and less expensively than ever before.

To help make sense of the expedited delivery options, Inbound Logistics compiled this A-to-Z guide to some leading expedited carriers who can get your shipments where they need to go, as fast as they need to get there.

Amazon Logistics

freight.amazon.com | [email protected]

Through its Amazon Freight service, Amazon Logistics offers shippers a supply chain network of more than 30,000 Amazon-owned trailers and more than 15,000 carrier partners, covering 48 contiguous U.S. states.

Solutions/Features: Self-service portal for booking freight. Dynamic pricing. Visibility from quote to delivery. Shippers can view spot prices for a lane up to 14 days in advance and choose a pickup date through an interactive calendar view. Telemetry devices on all trailers. GPS tracking. No blackout dates.

ArcBest

arcb.com/panther-premium | 800-610-5544

Through its ground expedite service Panther Premium Logistics, ArcBest delivers time-sensitive and high-value freight across North America. ArcBest also offers time-critical airfreight solutions, including same-day, second-day, hand-carry, and air charter options.

Solutions/Features: Temperature-controlled capacity. Time-critical assurance. Security measures such as satellite tracking, in-cab panic alarms, and door sensors. Real-time visibility.

Ascent On-Demand

ascentgl.com/on-demand | 800-614-1348

Ascent’s On-Demand solutions ensure products are delivered anywhere in the world at a moment’s notice. With a proprietary bid board, the Ascent team helps shippers instantaneously evaluate shipping options.

Solutions/Features: Time-critical assurance. Bid board for JIT cost optimization. On-demand air charter fleet. Real-time visibility. Global hand carry.

Averitt Express

averittexpress.com | 800-AVERITT (283-7488)

Averitt’s regional LTL service offers next-day delivery to most points up to 600 miles and two-day delivery up to 1,500 miles. Its expedited air cargo solutions include dedicated charter cargo flights throughout the United States and next-flight-out service. Additionally, its Asia Express Air service offers biweekly flights from points throughout Asia to Chicago and Dallas.

Solutions/Features: Guaranteed time-critical LTL. 24/7/365 access to special operations team. Customs clearance in the United States and Asia. Temperature-controlled capacity: both heating and refrigerated shipping systems.

Bolt Express

bolt-express.com | 866-873-2658

Bolt Express provides shippers with a one-call solution for time-critical shipment needs throughout North America. Its 24/7/365 customer support team offers ground and airfreight shipping solutions to help customers avoid or recover from unexpected supply chain interruptions.

Solutions/Features: Dedicated truckload team with around-the-clock dispatch support. Satellite tracking on trucks and trailers. Cross-border management proprietary system Border Advantage streamlines freight movement and information.

Bond

withbond.com | 516-418-8909

Last-mile fulfillment service company Bond provides same-day and next-day delivery via its network of nano distribution centers (NDCs), which place merchants’ inventory as close as possible to customers. The NDCs are small commercial spaces, such as storefronts, that Bond leases from real estate firms.

Solutions/Features: Door-to-door service. Real-time order tracking. Visibility throughout the last mile. End customers can schedule a return pickup or drop-off exchange. Customer service team available 24/7.

Capstone Logistics

capstonelogistics.com | 610-364-3300

Capstone’s last-mile services include expedited freight/distribution and reverse logistics at cross-docking facilities for pickup and delivery of shipments requiring consolidation, repackaging, and/or sorting. Capstone offers scheduled, same-day, and next-day delivery for partners requiring fast, secure, and time-critical shipments of highly sensitive items.

Solutions/Features: On-demand or STAT medical delivery. Mobile tracking app. Real-time visibility. Automated GPS tracking and shipment status updates are pushed to the shipper’s system via EDI, API, or other integration method.

Continental Expedited Services

continentalexpedited.com | 855-SHIPCES

Continental Expedited Services provides expedited surface solutions, offering door-to-door services covering the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The company also offers time-critical airfreight solutions through a network of more than 200 airfreight and air charter service providers.

Solutions/Features: Direct dual driver nonstop transit anywhere in North America. Satellite-tracked vehicles. ETA updates online, by phone, email, or EDI. Preclearance (PARS) and ACI/ACE certified. Emergency freight rescue service. Through-trailer service with no transloading at North American borders. Temperature-controlled transport. Custom packaging.

DHL Express

dhl.com | 800-225-5345

Along with global expedited parcel services through DHL Express, DHL offers expedited over-the-road LTL and TL solutions for freight in Europe though its DHL Freight division. Its DHL Door-to-More direct distribution solutions also help shorten delivery time to market by bypassing distribution centers/warehouses in destination markets and combining intercontinental transportation capabilities with road freight, courier, or postal networks.

Solutions/Features: Same-day, time-definite, and day-definite international express delivery. Day-definite LTL service in Europe. Consolidation of shipments at origin including air, ocean, and rail, as well as subsequent distribution via road freight, courier, or postal network. Direct pickup and delivery service with dedicated vehicles and control tower operations. End-to-end traceability.

FedEx Custom Critical

customcritical.fedex.com | 866-274-6117

FedEx Custom Critical solutions include expedited ground services with temperature control capacity and increased security. Specializing in same-day and overnight delivery of expedited freight, the freight solutions team connects shippers’ unique needs with the optimal carrier and transportation options.

Solutions/Features: Exclusive-use vehicles provide direct, door-to-door service throughout the United States and Canada. Continuous shipment monitoring with two-way, onboard satellites. Secure online shipment tracking. Flatbed trailers available for oversize shipments. White-glove services for valuable, fragile, high-security, or temperature-sensitive material.

FedEx SameDay

fedexsameday.com | 800-399-5999

FedEx SameDay delivers urgent shipments in hours, depending on flight availability. The FedEx SameDay Freight service is for shipments more than 150 pounds composed of multiple packages or palletized freight. Skids exceeding 2,200 pounds, as well as skids exceeding 70 inches in height, 119 inches in length, or 80 inches in width, require prior approval.

Solutions/Features: Delivery confirmation. Time frame assurance: Shippers can request a refund or credit of shipping charges if the shipment misses its final quoted delivery time by 60 seconds or more. FedEx SameDay City is available for loose packages or palletized freight; unlimited total shipment weight.

Forward Air

forwardair.com | 800-726-6654

Forward Air supplies expedited ground transportation to and from its terminals located close to major U.S. and Canadian airports. Its network encompasses stations and sort centers that reduce overall linehaul miles between points, providing expedited LTL ground transportation. Forward Air also offers TL services, airport-to-airport moves, and transborder shipping to Canada and Mexico.

Solutions/Features: Time-definite service. Its airport-to-airport service offers late cutoffs, early recovery times, weekend service (select areas), and expedited lanes.

Holman Logistics

holmanusa.com/transportation | 253-872-7140

Holman transportation services include truckload, LTL, expedited same-day delivery, sorting, and shuttle services. Its freight brokerage services provide expedited night delivery 24/7/365.

Solutions/Features: Managed shipment tracking and tracing. National coverage and availability. Refrigerated, frozen, and temperature-controlled capacity. GPS tractor tracking. Onboard driver communication.

Landstar System

landstar.com | 877-696-4507

The Landstar Express America dynamic business model provides shippers instant access to capacity for expedited and emergency shipping needs. Landstar agents can help shippers expedite cargo via a dedicated cargo or sprinter van, straight truck, or tractor-trailer, while providing them with updates throughout the process.

Solutions/Features: Emergency, disaster, and expedited transportation services are available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Independent Landstar agents can expedite shipments via air using TSA-approved capacity, including commercial cargo aircraft and carriers, as well as air charters at major airports.

Load One

load1.com | 800-957-4698

Load One operates a dedicated 24/7/365 staffed expedite operation serving the United States and Ontario, Canada. The division operates primarily sprinters, cube trucks, and straight trucks with both singles and teams. Additionally, the team works with more than 70 expedited carriers in the United States and Canada for seamless coverage of critical ground shipments.

Solutions/Features: TSA-approved drivers. GPS tracked equipment. Real-time tracking service. In-cab scanning for fast proof of delivery. Hazmat authority.

Lynden International

lynden.com | 800-926-5703

From a single box to a full truckload, Lynden International picks up and delivers freight on time, damage-free, and within your budget. With a network of service centers serving more than 6,000 U.S. cities, Lynden offers expedited ground freight service with efficient routing, speed, and savings. Its staff is experienced with TL and LTL freight, heavy hauls, and hazardous and petroleum products.

Solutions/Features: With access to virtually any equipment and an expansive network, Lynden offers shippers responsive service and freight tracking through its EZ Commerce Center. The company can put together a custom ground transportation plan to meet time and cost requirements.

Magnate Worldwide

magnateworldwide.com | 630-394-1030

Magnate is a portfolio of complementary logistics providers focused on expedited domestic transportation and global freight forwarding.

Solutions/Features: Magnate’s companies provide specialized service levels for sensitive, time-definite, high-value, and white-glove shipments across many industries.

Old Dominion Freight Line

odfl.com | 800-432-6335

Old Dominion offers guaranteed same-day and next-day delivery, featuring Friday to Monday service to and from 95% of the continental United States by 5 p.m., or time-specific delivery as requested.

Solutions/Features: Upgrade guaranteed shipments for morning delivery. Whether time sensitive to the hour or an emergency, the company delivers expedited freight at the exact time needed. Customized door-to-door delivery.

Pegasus Logistics Group

pegasuslogisticsgroup.com | 800-997-7226

Pegasus Logistics Group specializes in expedited ground and air services including white-glove delivery, air freight, hot shots, specialized equipment, time-critical FTL, and next flight out.

Solutions/Features: The 3PL manages shipments through 24/7 dedicated account teams and satellite tracking, web services, and interactive dashboards to ensure visibility.

Pilot Freight Services

pilotdelivers.com | 800-HI-PILOT

Pilot Freight Services provides domestic air and ground freight delivery options for nearly every type of shipment, with service to virtually all ZIP and postal codes throughout North America. First Flight is the fastest shipping service available from Pilot. Also available are next-day a.m./p.m. service as well as two- and three-day shipments. Pilot offers door-to-door control over goods via a wide range of vehicles including vans, cubes, straight trucks, and tractor-trailers.

Solutions/Features: 24/7 customer support and integrated logistics. Exclusive-use vehicles eliminate potential for split shipments and require less handling, which means less chance of loss and damage. Specialized equipment availability, including flat beds, reefers, curtain side, and others.

Purolator International

purolatorinternational.com | 888-511-4811

Purolator offers services for shipping time-sensitive shipments—next-day, two-day, three-day, and two to five business day—to, from, and within Canada and the United States. Whether it’s a one-time emergency shipment or a recurring need, Purolator’s customizable network ensures the best routes. Purolator International maintains 30-plus locations in the United States, with dedicated nightly flights into Canada, and unique access to Canada’s largest end delivery networks.

Solutions/Features: Saturday pickup available in select locations. For urgent shipments, Purolator’s Elite service provides premium, guaranteed deliveries anywhere in the world, regardless of size, destination, or time of day. Service options include hand-carry, dedicated air charter, and next flight out.

Saia

saia.com | 800-765-7242

Saia offers regional and interregional LTL, nonasset truckload service, and third-party logistics. With Saia Guaranteed–the company’s reliable guaranteed service backed by an experienced team of logistics professionals–you pick the time: 12 p.m. or 5 p.m.

Solutions/Features: When shipments must arrive before standard delivery, Saia’s Custom Solutions offer expedited shipments across a 48-state area in a shipper’s delivery time frame.

SEKO Logistics

sekologistics.com | 800-228-2711

SEKO’s domestic expedited shipping service uses multiple shipment methods such as exclusive truckload, commercial airlines, charters and hot shots, via cargo van or straight truck, to ensure parcels arrive on time. Dedicated and part-charter flights to handle time-sensitive deliveries. Proactive communication with a personal touch. Express, standard, economy and charter services available.

Solutions/Features: SEKO Next Flight Out is a time-critical service for situations where even next-day isn’t fast enough. Regular, accurate status and location updates throughout the delivery. All shipments are tracked online 24/7 via MySEKO. No weight restrictions. Also available Saturday, Sunday, and every holiday.

Team Worldwide

teamww.com | 800-527-1168

Team Worldwide, a U.S./Canada cross-border specialist, offers expedited aircraft charter service for any size, any weight shipment to be picked up, shipped, and delivered same day. Express service also handles any size, any weight shipment to be delivered the next day. Standard service and deferred service provide time-definite delivery at a cost savings.

Solutions/Features: To meet the extended needs of shippers with specific demands, Team Worldwide offers 24/7 availability, a national accounts service center, on-site packing and crating services, dangerous goods handling, 24-hour charter service, and local pickup and delivery. No size or weight restrictions. Same-day courier services are available.

TransGroup Global Logistics

transgroup.com | 800-444-0294

TransGroup Global Logistics provides complete logistics coverage across the United States, Canada, and Mexico with integrated technology solutions.

Solutions/Features: Air/ocean charter services, express LTL and FTL. The company’s TransTracker tool provides instant access to shipment and purchase order details. TransTMS enables shippers to quickly and easily generate accurate rates and transit times.

Uber Freight

uber.com/us/en/freight

Uber Freight is an app that matches carriers with shippers. Carriers can tap a button and instantly book a load, and the price you see is the price you get—no back-and-forth negotiations.

Solutions/Features: Uber Freight offers transparency—with clear, up-front pricing and visibility, shippers always have the information needed to make the right business decisions. Uber Freight’s streamlined workflow and 24/7 support keeps businesses rolling.

UPS

ups.com | 888-742-5877

UPS’ extensive domestic ground and air network can get shipments to more U.S. ZIP codes earlier than other major carriers. For urgent shipments, UPS offers several guaranteed next-day and same-day delivery options, with time-definite next day delivery by morning, noon, or end-of-day, depending on your needs. UPS Express Critical service allows for same-day delivery of critical shipments.

Solutions/Features: UPS offers value-added services such as pickup and delivery options, delivery notification, and special handling to meet each company’s shipping needs.

UTXL

utxl.com | 800-351-2821

UTXL offers nationwide team and solo expedited services with online in-transit tracking, competitive pricing, customer-friendly technologies, and available capacity 24/7.

Solutions/Features: VuTrans, the registered mark of UTXL’s patent-pending logistics software system, enables individual shippers to proactively (pre-pickup through delivery) monitor the in-transit visibility of all truck shipments of all truck transportation vendors (contract carriers, brokers, private fleet and dedicated trucks) within a single customized one-way or two-way platform.

Ward Transport and Logistics

wardtlc.com/expedited-2 | 800-458-3625

Ward’s Fast ForWARD Expedite Service handles time-sensitive shipments. Available 24/7, Ward provides national and international solutions in land, air, and sea modes. Maintains a network of 20 strategically placed service centers in the Mid-Atlantic region.

Solutions/Features: Guaranteed delivery, pool distribution. Protect from freeze/full-value insurance. LTL consolidation, dedicated spot quotes.

Werner

werner.com/shippers/expedited | 800-228-2240

Werner’s operating area reaches all of North America, via solutions such as transcontinental, engineered solutions with designated OD pairings, terminal-to-terminal, and lane-based. Ideal for small parcel packages, LTL purchase transportation, OEM manufacturing, freight forwarders, retail, and pharmaceutical/technology.

Solutions/Features: Provides a total team capacity of more than 1,000, delivering best-in-class service for those with team transit needs. Higher than 99% on-time delivery record for time-definite shipments.

WSI Supply Chain Solutions

wsinc.com/service/transportation | 920-830-5000

WSI spans a nationwide distribution network with global logistics reach. Together, WSI’s state-of-the-art transportation network and strategically located distribution centers help expedite shipments worldwide. Within the United States, WSI achieves same-day or next-day delivery to all major cities.

Solutions/Features: Parcel, LTL, FTL, same-day, and next-day service.

XPO Logistics

expedite-solutions.xpo.com | 844-742-5976

With more than 30 years of experience in domestic and cross-border solutions, XPO manages time-critical shipments from origin to destination with end-to-end digital visibility. Capable of facilitating time-critical shipments of all sizes. Largest web-based manager of expedite in North America. Quality solo and team transportation providers.

Solutions/Features: Skilled coordinators are available 24/7/365, with a large network of owner-operators who understand the urgent nature of expedite. Can adjust modes quickly within its transportation range if circumstances change. State-of-the-art digital visibility of freight in transit.

YRC Worldwide

yrc.com/services/time-critical | 800-610-6500

With YRC’s time-critical service, air and ground modes are coordinated to meet demanding timelines. Specialized equipment—from air cargo to cargo vans and dedicated trailers to liftgate equipment—satisfy virtually all shipping requirements. Comprehensive North America LTL network and cross-border expertise ensure seamless service. Special handling surrounds the shipment from the time it’s scheduled to its final destination. TSA-approved Certified Cargo Screening Facilities and Indirect Air Carrier status maintain shipment integrity and avoid delays.

Solutions/Features: Time-Critical accommodates customer-defined delivery dates and times, including holidays and weekends. Guaranteed deliveries. Dedicated customer service on call 24/7. Online tracking.