UPS is one of the world’s leading shipping and logistics providers, offering services to streamline business and personal shipments. Among its many offerings, UPS provides multiple pickup options to ensure convenience and efficiency for businesses of all sizes. UPS Smart Pickup® is an on-demand pickup service designed for businesses that don’t ship every day but still require a reliable and automated way to schedule pickups when needed. In this blog, we’ll explore how UPS Smart Pickup works, its benefits, how it compares to regular pickups, and how you can enable it for your WooCommerce and Shopify stores.
Table Of Contents
- What is UPS Smart Pickup®?
- Key Features and Benefits
- How Does UPS Smart Pickup Work?
- UPS Smart Pickup vs. Daily Scheduled Pickup
- UPS Shipping in eCommerce Platforms
- Conclusion
- Faqs
What is UPS Smart Pickup®?
UPS Smart Pickup is an automated shipping service designed for businesses with variable shipping needs. Unlike traditional scheduled pickups, this service triggers a pickup request only when a shipment is processed, ensuring that a UPS driver arrives when needed. It eliminates unnecessary daily pickups, reducing costs and making operations more efficient. Whether you’re shipping a single UPS package or multiple orders, this service optimizes logistics while keeping costs in check.
Key Features and Benefits
- Automated Pickup Scheduling: Once a shipment is created using UPS WorldShip®, UPS Internet Shipping, or CampusShip®, the system automatically notifies UPS to dispatch a driver.
- Cost-Effective – Businesses are only charged for pickups on the days they ship, avoiding unnecessary fees associated with daily pickups.
- Flexible & Convenient – Ideal for businesses that don’t ship daily but still require a reliable pickup service without the hassle of manually scheduling each time.
- Environmentally Friendly – Reduces unnecessary vehicle trips, cutting down on fuel consumption and carbon emissions.
- Seamless Integration – Works with various UPS shipping platforms, ensuring smooth automation and real-time tracking.
- Improved Efficiency – Frees up time for businesses by eliminating the need for manual pickup scheduling, allowing them to focus on operations rather than logistics.
Note: UPS Smart pickup is available only if you have a contract for this pickup type.
How Does UPS Smart Pickup Work?
UPS Smart Pickup is designed to streamline shipping by automatically scheduling a pickup only when you process a shipment. Let’s see how it works:
- Shipment Processing:
Create and process your shipment using UPS WorldShip®, UPS Internet Shipping, or UPS CampusShip®. Ensure the shipment is completed before your designated Notify Time to trigger same-day pickup.
- Automatic Pickup Scheduling:
Once UPS processes your shipment, it automatically receives a notification. If notified on time, a UPS driver is scheduled to pick up your package that day.
- Driver Pickup & Delivery:
The UPS driver arrives at your location to collect the package. If no shipments are processed, no pickup is scheduled, avoiding unnecessary visits.
- Automatic Pickup Activation:
UPS Smart Pickup works on a real-time trigger system; when a shipment is created, the pickup request is automatically generated.
- Same-Day Pickup: If the shipment is processed before the Notify Time, the pickup happens that day.
- Next Business Day Pickup: If processed after the cutoff time, the pickup is scheduled for the next business day.
Notify Time: This is the latest possible time you will be able to tender your first package of the day and receive a same-day pickup after confirming your UPS Smart Pickup service.
UPS Smart Pickup vs. Daily Scheduled Pickup
When it comes to UPS pickup services, businesses have two main options: UPS Smart Pickup and Daily Scheduled Pickup. Each service caters to different shipping needs, with varying levels of flexibility, cost, and efficiency.
| Feature | UPS Smart Pickup | Daily Scheduled Pickup |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduling | Pickup is triggered automatically when a shipment is processed before the designated “Notify Time.” | A UPS driver comes every business day at a fixed time, regardless of shipment volume. |
| Cost | $18.00 per week (Flat rate) | $36.00 per week (For accounts billed under $75 weekly) $19.50 per week (For accounts billed $75 or more weekly) |
| Pickup Time | Typically after 1:30 PM | Typically after 2:00 PM |
| Best For | Businesses with unpredictable shipping | Businesses with regular daily shipments requiring |
| needs who want a cost-effective solution. | consistent pickups. | |
| Flexibility | High—pickups occur only when necessary, reducing unnecessary stops. | Less flexible—daily pickup happens even if no shipments are ready. |
| Environmental Impact | More eco-friendly since it reduces unnecessary trips and emissions. | Less efficient as daily pickups happen regardless of need. |
Choosing between these two pickup options depends on your business’s shipping frequency and cost considerations. Smart Pickup is ideal for businesses that ship irregularly and want to minimize costs, while Daily Scheduled Pickup suits those with consistent shipping needs.
UPS Shipping in eCommerce Platforms
UPS offers seamless shipping solutions for eCommerce platforms like WooCommerce, Shopify, Magento, and BigCommerce, ensuring efficient order fulfillment and reliable delivery services. With a range of shipping options, real-time tracking, and automated label generation, UPS helps businesses streamline their logistics and enhance customer satisfaction.
Now, let’s see how UPS works with WooCommerce and Shopify.
How to use UPS Shipping services in WooCommerce?
The WooCommerce UPS Shipping Plugin makes it easy to use UPS shipping, allowing merchants to streamline the process effortlessly.
Start shipping with the UPS plugin in your WooCommerce store, visit the following link for a detailed guide: PluginHive UPS Shipping Guide for WooCommerce.
You can enable the required shipping services in the plugin’s settings. Once configured, the UPS live shipping rates will automatically appear at checkout on your WooCommerce store.
The plugin also allows you to generate UPS shipping labels and track shipments directly from your store.
To learn more about the UPS plugin for WooCommerce stores, watch this video.
How to use UPS shipping services in Shopify
Shopify users can easily integrate UPS shipping using the Multi-Carrier Shipping Label App, which automates rate calculations, label generation, and tracking for UPS shipments.
Start Shipping with UPS shipping for your Shopify store, visit the following link for a detailed guide: UPS Shipping Guide for Shopify.
By selecting the UPS service in the app’s Carrier settings as per your business requirement, live UPS shipping rates will automatically appear at checkout on your Shopify store.
This app also helps you generate UPS shipping labels and track shipments directly from your Shopify dashboard.
Check out this video tutorial to see how to set up UPS shipping for your Shopify store: Watch here
Conclusion
UPS Smart Pickup is an ideal solution for businesses looking to reduce pickup costs while maintaining efficient shipping operations. It ensures that pickups are scheduled only when needed, making it a cost-effective and eco-friendly option for eCommerce merchants. By integrating tools like the WooCommerce UPS Shipping Plugin and Shopify Multi-Carrier Shipping Label App, you can easily automate your shipping process with UPS. For further assistance, reach out to PluginHive Customer Support.
FAQs
- How do I set up UPS Smart Pickup?
To set up UPS Smart Pickup, start by logging into your UPS account and navigating to “My Accounts and Payment Options.” In the “Actions” section, click on “View Account Details,” then find “Pickup Options” and select “UPS Smart Pickup.” Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the setup. Once activated, UPS Smart Pickup will automatically schedule a pickup whenever you process a shipment.
- Can I use UPS Smart Pickup for all types of shipments?
Yes, UPS Smart Pickup works for UPS Ground, UPS Air, and International shipments. All packages scheduled for pickup will be collected at the same time. It provides a unified solution for various shipping needs.
- Is UPS Smart Pickup available for all services?
Yes, UPS Smart Pickup is available for all services, including UPS.com Shipping, UPS WorldShip®, and UPS CampusShip®. However, it is not available for Worldwide Express Freight®.
- What is UPS On-Call Pickup?
UPS On-Call Pickup allows businesses to schedule a one-time pickup instead of a recurring service. This option is ideal for occasional shippers.
- Does UPS pick up multiple packages at once?
Yes, UPS drivers collect multiple packages in a single pickup. Ensure all packages are properly labeled and ready at the scheduled time. This applies to both Smart Pickup and Daily Pickup services.
- Can I schedule a pickup for a specific day of the week?
Yes, with Day-Specific Pickup, you can arrange UPS pickups only on selected business days. This option is ideal for businesses with predictable but non-daily shipping needs. It helps reduce unnecessary pickups while maintaining regular service.
- Is UPS Smart Pickup available on weekends?
No, UPS Smart Pickup operates Monday through Friday. If you need a weekend pickup, you may need to use UPS On-Call Pickup or another service.
