Overnight delivery of information can be critical to your business success. Whether you have an account and use your FedEx supplies to send an overnight letter, or choose the big brown truck by using the United Parcel Service, the bottom line is this: if something is important enough that it needs to get there tomorrow, you have many options for overnight delivery services.

Depending on the overnight express courier delivery service, overnight services can get your package across town, across the state or across the globe. Because you have so many local, national and international overnight delivery services from which to choose, be sure to ask the following questions when selecting a service to handle your company's overnight deliveries:

1. How extensive does the network of your overnight delivery service need to be?

2. What is the process for getting your package shipped via a particular courier?

3. How expensive is it to get a package shipped overnight?

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Find out the size of the overnight delivery service delivery network

Some companies can promise overnight service within the same town, others within the country. Still others pledge to get your package to other countries within the same day. The courier service you ultimately select will need to be able to get your packages where you need them to go.

I recommend: FedEx offers overnight delivery within the U.S. and next-flight-out, door-to-door service to more than 200 international destinations. The U.S. Postal Service (USPS) also guarantees overnight service -- with a caveat. Their web site notes that guaranteed overnight service is dependant upon your drop-off time.

Inquire about ease of overnight package delivery

It's important to understand each courier's process for getting your package ready for overnight delivery. As noted above with USPS, to be guaranteed overnight delivery through them you must get your package in by a particular drop-off time. Still others must be received at a specific drop-off location. Be sure to know exactly what is required of you in order to be guaranteed overnight delivery.

I recommend: If you live in California, Nevada or Arizona you may want to consider Golden State Overnight Delivery Service. It is worth noting that packages must be received at a specific drop-off box and their guaranteed arrival time may be later if the destination is rural. If you live in Charlotte, NC and conduct all your business locally, consider Slingshot Express. If your delivery is within 25 miles of your location and you don't mind paying a bit more, they will pick up your package and guarantee delivery in less than one hour.

Compare costs of various overnight delivery services companies

While speed and facility to ship are clearly important factors to consider, the cost for this service must also be factored into the equation. Be sure to compare costs of various overnight delivery services to make sure you are getting the best value.

I recommend: Overnight Express serves customers throughout California, Arizona, Nevada and Mexico. To calculate shipping rates simply type in origin and shipment zip codes and the weight of your package. The United Parcel Service (UPS) also provides shipping rates based on location and weight and provides freight rates.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  By setting up a business account with an overnight delivery company you can get pre-printed labels and other shipping and packaging supplies at a discounted rate. These supplies make getting your package or letter out the door more quickly while saving money.

When you're crunched for time, make sure you have an affordable and dependable overnight deliveries service to get important documents to their destination quickly and safely. When choosing an option for service, realize that the faster you want a package to arrive, the more it will cost.

In fact, overnight delivery service companies can charge a premium for guaranteed delivery by 8 a.m. the next day. Traditionally, an overnight package can arrive between 10:30 a.m. and noon the next day. But there are also less expensive options for those packages arriving later in the afternoon.

Weigh these considerations when calculating the pricing and costs of overnight delivery services:

1. The cost of overnight service may depend on when you get the package to the courier service. If it gets shipped late, the cost could increase significantly.

2. Many factors go into how a rate is calculated for overnight services including the distance and package weight. To get the most cost savings, you'll have to evaluate each package and which service company would provide the best rate.

3. When overnight freight usage increases, negotiate a better deal with a provider you like. Special rates can even apply to other branch offices.

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Check rates online for overnight delivery services

You can easily check rates online at several major overnight service carriers. Make sure to compare rates with several different providers before finding the right one for your business needs.

I recommend: Calculate both time and cost through FedEx or the United Parcel Service of America at their website, www.ups.com.

Beware of FedEx supplies, insurance and other fees that can crop up

When you budget for expenses, you'll want to include all the little extras that can increase your total bill such as insurance, return receipts and even the packaging itself.

I recommend: The United States Postal Service offers different services for a fee such as delivery confirmation, certified mail and priority mail options. For worldwide services, consider Nightflight International Worldwide Express. Comprehensive insurance for high-value items can be entered on your airway bill.

Find strategies to reduce costs on overnight delivery

There are many different options for discount pricing on overnight services, including working with a shipping consolidator, getting a discount through your vendor or taking advantage of discounts offered through industry organizations. If you pre-pay postage, some carriers will offer discounted shipping envelopes to their customers. Although it may take some research, you can save a lot regardless if you are a high-volume or low-volume user.

I recommend: The American Bankers Association offers members discounts on UPS overnight services. Read more about ways to reduce costs through ArticlesBase.com.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Ask for a detailed invoice for overnight express courier delivery service that includes time, date and address of pickup and delivery. This will help you determine if rates are appropriate for the service you are receiving.

Many companies offer overnight delivery options for customers. With this option many companies or limited on the delivery companies they can use. Proper overnight delivery services education and training will allow you to add overnight delivery to your company's services. This is not just for delivery companies, but companies that use overnight services as well. This training will provide complete information for delivery companies on how deliveries should be handled as well as training for pilots and drivers.

Overnight delivery services education and training for delivery companies is separated into two categories: air and land. These, of course, represent the two options delivery companies have with the transport of the packages. Check out the following when seeking training for shipping products overnight:

1. Locate training for an air overnight delivery service.

2. Find training for road transport of overnight deliveries.

3. Discover packing and shipping techniques for overnight deliveries.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Find training for an air overnight delivery service

There are various rules that must be followed when using airplanes to transport packages. This training will teach pilots and other employees what is needed to transport various packages overnight.

I recommend: The Dangerous Goods International Training Center has courses for air carrier overnight services. Receive training for overnight express courier delivery service for dangerous goods at the Bureau of Dangerous Goods. The International Air Transport Association (IATA) offers online training courses for air transport of overnight freight. ICC The Compliance Center has IATA training materials and kits.

Find training for road transport of overnight deliveries

This training is designed to teach commercial drivers licensed (CDL) drivers and delivery services about the regulations and restrictions of road transport of products. Training for drivers is normally in-classroom training that may take a few weeks.

I recommend: Visit Cargo Training International for overnight delivery by road training courses. Learn what training an overnight letter delivery driver needs from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Office of Occupational Statistics and Employment. Browse through hundreds of available trucking schools at TopTruckingSchools to find a overnight package delivery school close to you. Find free CDL classes at TruckSchoolsUSA.

Learn packing and shipping techniques for overnight deliveries

Companies using overnight deliveries to ship products need to learn how to properly package and tag the product for overnight shipping. This training will also teach you how to use some shipping software for sending overnight packages.

I recommend: Vision Alliance Network has training courses for basic shipping and packaging, which includes working with FedEx supplies and UPS overnight delivery supplies. Package Express Centers has interactive training videos for using shipping software.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  The shipment of hazardous or dangerous material must be handled in specific ways. The Bureau of Dangerous Goods has information on how these should be handled and shipped.