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UPS Supply Chain Solutions®

Express Shipping

Express Shipping and Freight Services

When your shipment is critical, we can provide global access to virtually any kind of aircraft or vehicle. We’ll quickly assess the situation, identify transport alternatives and implement a delivery plan to meet time and cost needs. We’re so confident in this service, our own airline relies on it.
Airplane taking off from the airport runway at night

Door-to-door, domestic and international air transport for any size shipment.

Our customized air service utilizing commercial airlines for over the counter and cargo services. Utilizing our expansive courier network, UPS Express Critical® service will expedite your pickup and select the optimal flight routing for a short time-in-transit. We provide direct shipment routing, bypassing hub and gateway locations so shipments reach their final destination quickly and efficiently. Commercial airlines not available? Let us leverage UPS Airlines for later departures to avoid losing precious time waiting for the first flight out the following day.

Delivery van out on delivery

Exclusive use, non-stop, door-to-door ground transportation throughout the U.S., and into Canada, Mexico and Europe.*

With a network of exclusive-use equipment, ranging from vans and straight trucks to tractor-trailers, we can be ready to go within minutes of your initial call. We have access to one of the widest vehicle inventories in the industry, each equipped with in-transit tracking and communication systems. If you have special handling requirements (ex. hazardous materials) we’ll utilize equipment, like lift-gates, air-ride, flatbed or temperature-controlled vehicles to get the job done fast and accurately.

*European countries where available
Packages ready to load on charter plane

Worldwide air charter services.

When commercial airlines can't meet your most time-critical needs, let us provide air charter services. Our worldwide air-charter network gives you access to aircraft of almost any type or size, including UPS aircraft. Shipment processing is quick and easy, including shipments that require special handling, and there are almost no size or weight restrictions. Our advanced flight software gives you real-time shipment status updates, and you get end-to-end tracking and reporting. Not to mention the confidence that your shipment is in really good hands. And while others can charter you a plane, we’ll also have surface transportation waiting when the aircraft arrives to expedite delivery to your consignee.

Woman hand-carrying a package

Dedicated hand-carry/on-board courier services maintain constant contact with your shipment.

For critically urgent deliveries, staying on schedule matters most. With UPS Express Critical® Hand Carry, on time is our top priority. And, we’ll provide a courier to maintain physical possession—whenever possible—of your package throughout the delivery journey. These hand-carry services provide a dedicated courier within the U.S., as well as many international locations. And in many cases, this is the fastest international service available because of minimal check-in and transfer times. Set up service on an inbound or outbound basis, domestic or international and even offshore-to-offshore locations. When it matters most, we literally become one with your package.

Security guard in UPS truck

Added security when you need it most.

Sometimes shipments are so important, they require additional security to ensure safe arrival. Our staff can create a flexible solution to meet the needs of virtually any size shipment.

Small Package:

  1. Specialized secure packaging to enhance visibility and shipment monitoring
  2. Serialized security seals to ensure shipment integrity 
  3.  Bonded vehicle or armored car options for package pickup and delivery 
  4.  Priority shipping via the UPS air network

Freight:

  1. Exclusive-use vehicles for door-to-door service in North America
  2. Charters securely move shipments fast
  3. Optimized routing for most direct route

Additional Options:

  1. Qualified and screened security escorts
  2. Door-to-door hand-carry
  3. Cargo insurance through UPS Capital 
  4. Customized SOPs

Regardless of what you’re moving, count on us for 24/7/365 customer service, constant monitoring and updates, online visibility, minimal touch-points, standardized security procedures and contingency plans for your unique situation.

Truck on highway

Global next-flight-out, charter and courier services.

Got a critical international shipment? Our international next-flight-out air service, exclusive charters and extensive coverage can get it there. We provide express shipping to numerous industries, including airline aircraft-on-ground (AOG), automotive and electronics. You get access to a wide inventory of trucks, aircraft and flight schedules, with almost no shipment size or weight limitations. Plus, expedited customs clearance and surface delivery at your designated destination. Our multilingual specialists can provide an immediate response to help you assess urgent situations and put together a plan to handle it. That should keep help the competition on its heels.

See Terms and Conditions for additional information, conditions and limitations.

Express Shipping - For When Fast Isn't Fast Enough

When your high value and sensitive shipments need to be there in hours, not days, UPS Express Critical can handle it. Our fastest service for customers’ time-critical needs is available 24/7/365.

Box Icon Ship on the UPS® Forwarding Hub

Our all-in-one customer portal lets you get and compare quotes, book and track shipments all on one modern, easy-to-navigate platform.

Get a Quote

UPS® Forwarding Hub on a mobile device

Express Shipping FAQs

Talk to a Freight Expert

Questions? We’ll get you to the right people with answers. Tell us about yourself and choose a topic to get started.

 

Shipping less than 150lbs.? Get small package assistance.

 

Contact Us

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