When you need to ship a package to the Aloha State, you may be wondering—does UPS deliver to Hawaii? How long will it take, and how much will it cost? What are your options?
As one of the nation‘s largest shipping carriers, UPS provides comprehensive coverage to Hawaii as part of its domestic U.S. network. Whether you‘re a Hawaiian resident expecting an important package, or a business that needs to ship products to customers in the islands, UPS has you covered with an array of reliable, cost-effective delivery services.
In this in-depth guide, we‘ll break down everything you need to know about utilizing UPS for your Hawaii shipping needs. You‘ll learn about:
- The different UPS shipping services and speeds available for Hawaii deliveries
- Typical costs and delivery times you can expect when shipping to Hawaii with UPS
- How UPS gets your packages to their island destination
- Special considerations for shipping to and from Hawaii
- Tips to save money on your Hawaii shipments with UPS
By the end, you‘ll be equipped with all the essential information to choose the right UPS shipping options for your needs and budget. Let‘s jump in!
UPS Shipping Options for Hawaii
Like elsewhere in the country, UPS offers multiple tiers of shipping services for deliveries to Hawaii. Your main options include:
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UPS Ground: The most economical option for packages that aren‘t time-sensitive. Transit time averages 3-7 business days to Hawaii.
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UPS 3 Day Select: A guaranteed, cost-effective service for less urgent deliveries. Packages arrive by the end of the third business day.
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UPS 2nd Day Air: An expedited, guaranteed service for packages that need to arrive within two business days.
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UPS Next Day Air: The fastest shipping option for time-critical deliveries. Packages are delivered by 10:30 am the next business day to most Hawaiian locations.
In addition to these main options, UPS offers several variations like early morning Next Day Air delivery, 2nd Day Air A.M., and UPS 3 Day Select Saver for more flexibility.
Weekend delivery options are also available in many areas of Hawaii, including Honolulu and Maui. UPS Next Day Air is available for Saturday delivery with a special Saturday Delivery sticker. For less urgent weekend shipments, UPS Ground packages can be scheduled in advance for Saturday delivery at an additional cost.
How Much Does It Cost to Ship to Hawaii with UPS?
As you might expect, shipping a package across an ocean to Hawaii typically costs more than sending it across a few state borders. That said, UPS strives to keep their Hawaii rates competitive.
Exact shipping costs will depend on several variables, including:
- The origination point (shipping from the West Coast will be cheaper than the East Coast)
- The UPS service selected (Ground, 3 Day Select, 2nd Day Air, etc.)
- The package weight and dimensions
- Value-added services like weekend delivery
To give a general idea, here are some sample rates for shipping a 5 lb package to a residential address in Honolulu from various U.S. locations via UPS Ground:
- From Los Angeles: $21.65
- From Chicago: $54.40
- From New York City: $67.85
As a rule of thumb, you can expect UPS Ground shipping to Hawaii to start around $20-$25 for lightweight packages coming from the West Coast, and go up from there based on origination point, package size, and speed.
Expedited air services like UPS 3 Day Select and 2nd Day Air will be pricier, starting around $45-$75 for small packages from West Coast origins. The premiums can be substantial for faster service from eastern states.
For the most accurate pricing, your best bet is to get a quote directly from UPS based on the specific details of your shipment. Their online calculator lets you compare rates and delivery times for shipping to Hawaii across multiple service levels.
UPS Hawaii Delivery Times
In terms of how long you can expect UPS to take to deliver a package to Hawaii, here are the typical transit times for each major service level:
- UPS Ground: 3-7 business days
- UPS 3 Day Select: 3 business days
- UPS 2nd Day Air: 2 business days
- UPS Next Day Air: 1 business day; arrives next day by 10:30 am
It‘s important to note that these delivery times are AFTER the day of pickup and represent business days, Monday-Friday. So a Next Day Air package picked up on Thursday would arrive on Friday. But a UPS Ground package picked up on Thursday likely wouldn‘t arrive until the following Tuesday at the earliest.
Also, keep in mind these are just averages based on deliveries to Oahu (the most populated island). Deliveries to the other islands or more remote areas may take an extra day or two in transit. You can get an estimated delivery date for any location in Hawaii using the UPS Time and Cost Calculator.
How Does UPS Get Packages to Hawaii?
Have you ever wondered how that box you sent to your aunt in Maui made it across the Pacific? For any package bound for Hawaii, UPS uses a strategic combination of ground and air transit through their integrated delivery network.
The journey starts when UPS picks up your package from the original location anywhere in the 50 states. Depending on where you‘re shipping from, the first leg will be over the road via truck, or by plane if you selected an air service level.
All Hawaii-bound packages will eventually make their way to one of UPS‘s major West Coast hubs in California, Washington or Oregon. From there, shipments are loaded onto freight aircrafts and flown directly to Hawaii.
Once the planes touchdown in Hawaii (usually Honolulu), packages are offloaded and sent to UPS‘s Hawaii sorting facilities. They are then assigned to delivery trucks and taken over the road to their final destinations across the islands.
This seamless air-ground network allows UPS to reach all corners of Hawaii with impressive speed and reliability. In fact, UPS flies to Hawaii daily and operates 9 Hawaii facilities, ensuring your packages arrive safely and on schedule.
What Can You Ship to Hawaii with UPS?
For the most part, anything that UPS accepts for shipment to the mainland U.S. states can also be sent to Hawaii. This includes:
- Packages and parcels up to 150 lbs
- Letters and documents
- Freight shipments (more on this below)
However, there are a few materials that are restricted or prohibited from being shipped to Hawaii due to agricultural and environmental regulations. This includes:
- Fresh fruits, vegetables, plants, and soil
- Live animals
- Perishables that require refrigeration
Additionally, any goods that are flammable, hazardous or otherwise restricted from air transport cannot be shipped to Hawaii via UPS. Be sure to check the full list of prohibited items before sending anything questionable.
UPS Freight Shipping to Hawaii
What if you need to ship a large item like a sofa or a piece of heavy machinery to Hawaii? UPS Freight has you covered. As the company‘s heavy freight division, UPS Freight specializes in oversized shipments to Hawaii that are too large or heavy for regular parcel service.
Through UPS Freight, you can ship items up to 5,000 lbs. and 24 feet in length to Hawaii. Transit times average 3-8 business days from the West Coast.
UPS Freight also provides special services like liftgate pickup/delivery, inside delivery, and packing/crating for your oversized Hawaii shipments. They‘ll even handle all the necessary paperwork and customs clearance to ensure your freight arrives without a hitch.
Shipping FROM Hawaii with UPS
In addition to delivering TO the Aloha State, UPS is also a go-to for shipping FROM Hawaii to the mainland and worldwide. Whether you‘re a Hawaiian business sending products to the lower 48, or an individual who needs to get an important package to the mainland, UPS has plenty of outbound shipping options.
In fact, all the same domestic services that are available for shipping to Hawaii can also be used for sending packages from Hawaii, including:
- UPS Ground
- UPS 3 Day Select
- UPS 2nd Day Air
- UPS Next Day Air
Simply drop off your prepaid, labeled package at one of UPS‘s 38+ Hawaii locations or schedule a pickup. Your shipment will then be flown over to the mainland and entered into the UPS network for delivery to its final destination.
International shipping services from Hawaii are also available through UPS, with delivery to over 220 countries and territories worldwide. Some of the most popular global express options include:
- UPS Worldwide Express: Delivery within 1-3 business days by 10:30 am to Canada, Europe and major cities in Asia
- UPS Worldwide Saver: The most economical option for international deliveries
So whether you need to send a care package to the mainland, or export Hawaiian products across the globe, UPS has a convenient solution to fit your needs and budget.
UPS Hawaii Shipping Tips & Tricks
Now that you‘re familiar with how UPS shipping to Hawaii works, here are a few insider tips to streamline the process and keep costs down:
1. Use online tools to compare rates and speeds
Don‘t waste time or money on the wrong shipping options. UPS.com has handy tools like the Time and Cost Calculator and Drop-Off Locator to provide upfront quotes and find the most cost-effective service for your needs.
2. Pack like a pro
Careful packaging is crucial for any shipment, but especially those going to Hawaii. Make sure to cushion your items securely, use sturdy boxes rated for shipping, and avoid overpacking to prevent dimensional weight charges.
3. Consider Third Party Insurance
UPS‘s Declared Value Coverage provides protection up to $100 for free, and more can be purchased. But third party package insurance from providers like U-PIC and Shipsurance is often much cheaper for Hawaii shipments.
4. Leverage Flat Rate Options
For smaller, lightweight items, flat rate shipping boxes from UPS Simple Rate can provide significant savings on Hawaii deliveries compared to regular rates.
5. Join the UPS My Choice Program
If you‘re a Hawaiian resident who frequently receives UPS packages, signing up for the free UPS My Choice service can make life easier with advance delivery notifications, estimated arrival windows, and more.
The Bottom Line on UPS Shipping to Hawaii
When it comes to getting your packages to and from the Aloha State, UPS is one of the most trusted and comprehensive options. With multiple shipping speeds, guaranteed on-time delivery, and extensive coverage across all Hawaiian islands, UPS takes the stress and hassle out of shipping to Hawaii.
Whether you need economical ground shipping, expedited air service, or heavy freight, UPS has a Hawaii shipping solution to fit your timeline and budget. By understanding your options and leveraging helpful tools and resources, you‘ll be able to ship to Hawaii with UPS like a pro. Aloha!
