How Long Is a Business Day for Shipping? The Ultimate Guide to Delivery Timelines

Waiting for a package and wondering, “How long is a business day for shipping?” You’re not alone. Many people assume shipping times follow a straightforward calendar day system, but business days’ work differently.

Most courier services operate Monday to Friday, excluding weekends and public holidays. However, shipping timeframes vary across countries, industries, and services—some count Saturdays, while others don’t. Plus, factors like order processing, carrier policies, and cut-off times can significantly impact delivery speed.

So, before assuming “5 business days” means 5 actual days, let’s break down the true meaning of business day shipping across different locations and services.

How Long Is a Business Day for Shipping?

A business day for shipping typically refers to Monday through Friday, excluding weekends and public holidays. Unlike calendar days, which count every day of the week, business days only include working days recognized by the courier.

Business Day Shipping vs. Calendar Day Shipping

Many shoppers assume that when a company says “5 business days,” it means 5 days total. However, that’s not the case. Let’s compare:

Business Days: If you place an order on Monday with a “5 business day” shipping estimate, your package should arrive next Monday (excluding weekends).

Calendar Days: If shipping were counted in calendar days, that same order would arrive on Saturday instead.

Factors That Affect Business Day Shipping Times

Your shipping speed doesn’t just depend on the number of business days—it’s influenced by several factors:

• Courier Processing Time – Some carriers take 24-48 hours to process orders before shipping.
• Weekend & Holiday Policies – Not all couriers operate on weekends. National holidays pause shipping timelines.
• Cutoff Times – Orders placed after a courier’s cutoff time (e.g., 5 PM) start processing the next business day.
• Shipping Method – Standard shipping takes longer than express or overnight shipping.

Understanding these factors helps you set realistic expectations for when your package will arrive.

Business Day Shipping in Different Countries

A business day for shipping is not the same worldwide. Each country follows its own workweek, public holidays, and courier policies, which affect how long shipping takes. Let’s break it down by region:

How Long Is a Business Day for Shipping in the USA?

In the United States, business days for shipping typically run from Monday to Friday, 9 AM – 5 PM, excluding federal holidays.

Weekends & Holidays: USPS, UPS, and FedEx do not count Saturdays and Sundays as business days for standard shipping.

Amazon Prime & Express Services: Some services, like Amazon Prime or FedEx Express, offer weekend deliveries, but standard business day shipping still follows the Monday–Friday model.

Example: If you order on a Friday with 3 business day shipping, your package should arrive by Wednesday (excluding Saturday & Sunday).

How Long Is a Business Day for Shipping in the UK?

In the United Kingdom, business days follow the Monday to Friday, 9 AM – 5 PM schedule, but there’s a twist:

Bank Holidays Impact Shipping: Unlike in the USA, UK Bank Holidays vary by region and can delay shipping times.

Weekend Deliveries? Royal Mail and some courier services may deliver on Saturdays, but this is not counted as a business day for standard shipping.

Example: If you order on a Thursday with 2 business day shipping, but Friday is a Bank Holiday, your package may not arrive until Tuesday.

How Long Is a Business Day for Shipping in Canada?

In Canada, business days run from Monday to Friday, with most courier services operating between 9 AM – 5 PM.

Provincial Holidays Affect Shipping: Canada has nationwide and province-specific holidays, which may delay shipping in certain regions.

Weekend Deliveries? Canada Post and private couriers generally do not count weekends as business days, except for express or premium shipping options.

Example: If a company in Ontario promises 5 business day shipping on a Monday, the package should arrive by the following Monday (excluding weekends & holidays).

How Long Is a Business Day for Shipping in Australia?

In Australia, standard business day shipping follows the Monday to Friday schedule, but:

Public Holidays Vary by State: Shipping delays can happen due to state-specific holidays, not just national ones.

Weekend & After-Hours Shipping: Couriers like Australia Post, StarTrack, and Toll may offer weekend deliveries, but they don’t count Saturdays or Sundays as business days for standard shipping.

Example: A package shipped with 3 business day shipping on a Wednesday will arrive by Monday, not Saturday.

Business Day Shipping for Popular Couriers

Each shipping company has its own rules for calculating business days. Some couriers offer weekend delivery for premium services, while others strictly follow the Monday–Friday rule. Let’s break down how major couriers define business day shipping.

How Long Is a Business Day for UPS Shipping?

UPS follows the Monday to Friday schedule for standard shipping, with weekends and public holidays excluded.

Cutoff Time: Many UPS locations have a cutoff time (usually 4-6 PM local time)—orders placed after this count as shipped the next business day.

Weekend Deliveries?

• UPS Ground & Standard Services: No weekend deliveries (unless upgraded).
• UPS Saturday Delivery: Available for certain express shipments.
• UPS Next Day Air Saver: Does not count weekends unless explicitly included.

Example: A package shipped with UPS 2-Day Air on a Thursday will arrive Monday (skipping Saturday & Sunday).

Read About: Major Changes to UPS-USPS Package Delivery Services After SurePost Contract Ends.

How Long Is a Business Day for FedEx Shipping?

FedEx also defines a business day as Monday to Friday, with some exceptions:

FedEx Express & Overnight: Some services include Saturday delivery, but standard FedEx Ground does not.

Business Day Shipping Rules:

• FedEx Ground: Monday–Friday only.
• FedEx Home Delivery: Delivers Tuesday–Saturday, but Saturdays are not considered business days.
• FedEx Overnight (Standard & Priority): Business days only, unless you pay extra for weekend delivery.

Example: A FedEx Standard Overnight package shipped on Friday will arrive Monday (not Saturday, unless upgraded).

How Long Is a Business Day for DHL Shipping?

DHL is known for fast international shipping, but it still follows Monday to Friday business days for most shipments.

DHL Express Services: Some international express shipments include Saturday delivery at an extra cost.

Customs Delays: International shipments can face delays due to customs processing, which does not count as a business day.

Example: A package sent from the USA to the UK with DHL Express (3 business days) on Wednesday should arrive by Monday (accounting for weekend delays).

How Long Is a Business Day for Amazon Shipping?

Amazon follows standard Monday to Friday business days for most shipping options, but Prime members get exceptions:

Amazon Prime:

• Same-Day & Next-Day Shipping includes weekends in some areas.
• Standard Business Day Shipping excludes weekends and public holidays.

Amazon Logistics (Own Delivery Network): Amazon has its own couriers that may deliver on Saturdays & Sundays, but these are separate from standard business days.

Example: An Amazon Standard Shipping (3-5 business days) order placed on a Friday will likely arrive by Wednesday–Friday (excluding the weekend).

Note:

Shipping timelines vary by courier and service level, so always check cutoff times and weekend policies before choosing your delivery option.

Read About: Amazon Q4 Earnings Report

Business Days vs. Expedited Shipping: What’s the Difference?

Many people assume “3-5 business days” means 3 to 5 days from the time they order—but that’s not always true. Business day shipping follows strict rules, while expedited shipping offers faster delivery at an extra cost. Let’s break it down.

What Is Business Day Shipping?

Business day shipping follows a Monday–Friday schedule (excluding weekends and public holidays).

The countdown starts only when the order is processed (not when you place it).

Standard shipping services like UPS Ground, FedEx Home Delivery, and Amazon Standard Shipping follow business days.

Example: If you place an order with “5 business day shipping” on a Thursday, it may arrive by the following Thursday (excluding Saturday & Sunday).

What Is Expedited Shipping?

Expedited shipping reduces delivery time by processing and delivering packages faster. Unlike business day shipping, some expedited services include weekends.

• Same-Day Shipping → Delivered on the same day.
• Next-Day (Overnight) Shipping → Delivered the next calendar day (may or may not include weekends).
• 2-Day Expedited Shipping → Delivered in 2 days, including weekends if available.
• Express International Shipping → Faster customs processing for quicker delivery.

Example: If you order a product with “2-day expedited shipping” on a Friday, it could arrive Sunday or Monday, depending on whether the courier counts weekends.

How Do Expedited & Business Day Shipping Compare?

Pro Tips to Choose the Right Shipping Option

• Need a package quickly? Choose expedited shipping—it costs more but saves time.
• Ordering before a weekend or holiday? Check if business days apply, or your order may take longer.
• Look at the fine print—not all “2-day shipping” means the same thing. Some services count only business days!

Pro Tips for Faster Shipping: Get Your Package Sooner

Want to avoid delays and get your orders as fast as possible? Here are proven strategies to speed up your shipping process.

1. Check Processing Times Before Ordering

Most businesses have cutoff times for same-day processing. If you order after the cutoff, your package won’t ship until the next business day.

Example: If a company’s cutoff time is 3 PM, and you order at 4 PM on Friday, your order won’t process until Monday.

Pro Tip: Check the store’s shipping policy to know when your order will actually leave the warehouse.

2. Choose Expedited Shipping If You’re in a Hurry

If you need your package ASAP, pay extra for faster shipping. Many couriers offer:

• Next-Day Shipping (overnight delivery)
• 2-Day Expedited Shipping
• Same-Day Delivery (for local purchases)

Example: Amazon Prime’s One-Day Shipping gets your order delivered the next day if you order before the cutoff.

3. Order Early in the Day to Avoid Cutoff Delays

Many stores and couriers process orders in the morning. Ordering late in the day means your package may not ship until the next business day.

Pro Tip: Place your order before noon for the best chance of same-day processing.

4. Track Your Shipment & Stay Updated

Most couriers provide tracking numbers so you can monitor your package in real time. If there’s a delay, tracking helps you contact support before it’s too late.

Example: FedEx, UPS, and DHL let you track your shipment live and even change delivery options if needed.

5. Avoid Weekends & Holidays If Possible

Many shipping services pause on weekends and holidays. If you need a package urgently, order early in the week.

Example: If you order on a Friday night, your package might not ship until Monday, adding unnecessary delays.

Pro Tip: Check the holiday calendar of your courier (UPS, FedEx, USPS) to avoid unexpected delays.

Final Thoughts: Plan Smart, Ship Fast!

By following these tips, you can get your orders faster and avoid frustrating delays. Before you click “Buy,” make sure to:

• Check processing times
• Choose the fastest shipping option
• Order early in the day
• Track your package

Now that you’re an expert on business day shipping, let’s wrap things up with a quick summary & FAQs!

Final Wrap

Understanding how long a business day is for shipping can save you from unexpected delays. A business day usually means Monday to Friday, excluding weekends and holidays, but this varies by country, courier, and shipping method.

To ensure your package arrives on time, always:

• Check business day shipping policies for your chosen courier.
• Order early in the day to avoid processing delays.
• Choose expedited shipping if speed is a priority.
• Track your shipment to stay updated on delivery progress.

Quick Recap: How Long Is a Business Day for Shipping?

• Business days for shipping typically run Monday–Friday, excluding holidays.
• Shipping times vary across countries and courier services.
• Expedited shipping reduces business days but costs more.
• Weekends and holidays extend shipping timelines.

FAQs:

Q: Do weekends count as business days for shipping?

A: No. Most couriers, including UPS, FedEx, and USPS, do not count weekends as business days. However, some services like Amazon’s Saturday Delivery or FedEx Express Weekend Delivery may operate on weekends.

Q: How do holidays affect business day shipping?

A: Holidays pause business day shipping, meaning if a holiday falls within your estimated delivery window, expect an extra day’s delay.

Q: If I order on Friday night, when will my package ship?

A: Most shipments will be processed on Monday, unless the seller offers weekend processing.

Final Thought: Plan Ahead for Business Day Shipping

Knowing how long a business day is for shipping helps you avoid delays and manage expectations. Before placing an order, check the courier’s business day policies and choose the right shipping method for your needs.

Need more business guides? Stay tuned for our next article!