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How Does Expedited Shipping Work? A Behind-the-Scenes Look

Written by S-2 | Jan 17, 2025 1:00:00 PM

When you need a shipment to arrive as quickly as possible, expedited shipping can make it happen—but it’s not as simple as snapping your fingers and watching a delivery truck arrive at its destination. Time-sensitive shipping requires a carefully coordinated process, a dependable network of transportation partners, and proactive tracking and communication every step of the way. For businesses across industries, company sizes, and product types, expedited shipping services ensure customer satisfaction, operational efficiency, and business success.

What is Expedited Shipping?

Expedited shipping is a premium service designed to get shipments from point A to point B as quickly as possible. Unlike standard shipping—which operates on fixed schedules and routing—expedited shipping prioritizes speed and service by reducing transit times, limiting stops through employing direct routes, and increasing visibility in transit. In the transportation industry, expedited shipping services play a crucial role in meeting tight deadlines, reducing downtime, lowering freight claims, and delivering goods that are time-sensitive, time-specific, or high priority.

This service is especially vital for businesses that require critical materials, such as parts needed to maintain production lines or perishable goods that must arrive fresh. Expedited shipping services ensure these items are delivered with speed and reliability, enabling businesses to meet customer expectations and maintain operations.

When to Consider Expedited Shipping Services

While expedited shipping isn’t necessary for every shipment, there are several scenarios where it can make a big impact for your business. These include:

  • Maintaining Production Schedules: In manufacturing, delayed shipments of essential parts or raw materials can disrupt production lines, leading to costly downtime. Expedited shipping minimizes delays, ensuring your operations continue smoothly.
  • Handling Emergencies: Emergencies can arise unexpectedly in a variety of industries, from medical supply shortages to urgent repair needs. One example is Aircraft on Ground (AOG) situations, where an aircraft faces maintenance issues that prevent it from taking off. Every moment of downtime can result in significant costs and operational disruptions. Expedited shipping services ensure critical parts or tools are delivered swiftly, minimizing delays and getting the plane back in the air.
  • Meeting Event Deadlines: Trade shows, exhibitions, and major events require timely delivery of materials—from banners to booth equipment and more. Missing a deadline can compromise your presence at the event and even impact your ROI. Expedited shipping services ensure everything arrives on time, giving you peace of mind and allowing you to focus on event execution.
  • Securing Business Opportunities: Delivering a product sample, prototype, or proposal to a potential customer or investor on time can be the difference between securing a lucrative deal and missing out. Expedited shipping provides the reliability needed to meet critical deadlines and create a strong impression.
  • Fulfilling Customer Expectations: Today’s customers increasingly expect fast delivery options. Expedited shipping allows you to meet their demands, improve satisfaction, and build loyalty by offering speedy, reliable service.

Weighing the Cost of Expedited Shipping Services

Expedited shipping is often more expensive than standard shipping options. Despite the higher cost, investing in expedited shipping services can be worthwhile for these reasons:

  • Avoiding Operational Downtime: The cost of expedited shipping is minimal compared to the financial losses associated with halting production or delaying services due to missing parts or materials.
  • Capturing High-value Opportunities: On-time delivery of a product or proposal can open doors to contracts, partnerships, or customer retention that far outweigh the cost of expedited services.
  • Protecting and Enhancing Brand Reputation: Reliable expedited shipping services help establish your business as dependable and customer-focused, fostering long-term loyalty and positive word-of-mouth.
  • Preventing Product Loss or Damage: For perishable or delicate items, expedited shipping minimizes time in transit, reducing the risk of spoilage or breakage.
  • Offering Competitive Advantages: In a competitive market, offering expedited options can set your business apart and attract customers who prioritize speed and reliability.
  • Meeting Critical Deadlines: Time-sensitive shipments, such as legal documents, medical supplies, or seasonal inventory, demand fast and reliable solutions—making expedited shipping services well worth the expense.

An Overview of the Expedited Shipping Process

S-2 understands the importance of getting your shipment delivered quickly and carefully. But how does expedited shipping work in practice? Our expedited shipping process is built on a foundation of trust, reliability, and communication. Let’s walk through the steps.

#1. Vet Trustworthy Carriers

S-2 partners exclusively with a select group of preferred carriers, ensuring every shipment is handled with care and precision. For example, our top 70 carriers manage half of all shipments, while the top 265 carriers handle 80%. Together, this elite and trusted network facilitates more than 20,000 secure shipments annually. Choosing a transportation management partner with credible carriers ensures your expedited freight is handled with the utmost care.

#2. Receive Your Request

No request is too complex or challenging for S-2. We welcome the tough cases—whether it’s shipping to hard-to-reach areas, navigating difficult routes, or meeting exceptionally tight deadlines. Even if other companies have turned down your request, we’ll find a way to deliver. Our team is full of problem-solving logistics experts who are committed to your success.

#3. Identify Reputable Carriers in Your Region

S-2’s vast network covers the entire U.S. and Canada, providing comprehensive geographic coverage for expedited shipping services. No matter where you are or where your shipment needs to go in North America, we’ll find a reliable carrier ready to meet your requirements. 

#4. Ensure Specialty Requirements Are Met

With a claim rate of less than 0.0003%, S-2 has earned a reputation for delivering specialized shipments damage-free. Whether your freight requires temperature control, fragile handling, or specific delivery conditions, we ensure the right carrier is equipped for the job. 

#5. Assigning the Load and Providing Communication

S-2 utilizes MacroPoint to track our carriers, ensuring they meet expectations and deliver on time. MacroPoint is integrated with our transportation management system (TMS) to allow for regular updates throughout the life of your shipment, keeping you informed of its status and promptly addressing any unexpected delays.  All tracking is backed by our team of Customer Service Specialists who proactively look for potential hiccups en route and intervene to mitigate potential delays.

#6. Delivering Safely and On Time

With more than 98.7% of our shipments arriving on time, S-2 prioritizes punctuality and professionalism. Our service team understands how timely delivery impacts your business, from protecting your reputation to ensuring production uptime. You can count on us to provide an exceptional delivery experience.

Depend on S-2 for Top-tier Expedited Shipping Services

Now that we’ve answered, “How does expedited shipping work?,” your next step is selecting the right partner for your needs. Expedited shipping can make all the difference for your business when time is of the essence. At S-2, we offer expedited shipping and comprehensive freight management services backed by unmatched service. Ready to explore how S-2 can help with your needs? Contact us today to request a quote and learn how we can support your business.