United Parcel Service

What United Parcel Service does

United Parcel Service (NYSE: UPS), headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia and founded in 1907, is a publicly traded package delivery and integrated logistics company serving more than 200 countries with a fleet of approximately 559 aircraft and 128,000 vehicles that processes 20.8 million packages per day. The company operates core shipping services — UPS Ground, UPS Air, UPS Express, and the economy UPS Ground Saver (formerly SurePost) — alongside a portfolio of specialized sub-brands and acquired capabilities, including UPS Healthcare (cold chain pharmaceutical and medical logistics), Roadie (crowdsourced same-day delivery reaching 97% of U.S. households), Happy Returns (box-free, label-free returns at ~8,000 drop-off points), Parcel Pro (high-value goods shipping up to $200K coverage), InsureShield (shipping insurance with 97% claims paid within five days), and UPS Supply Chain Solutions (freight forwarding, customs brokerage, warehousing).

Underlying technology includes a proprietary RFID label-and-sensor tracking system, an AI-powered route optimization layer, the Quantum View B2B shipment visibility platform, the UPS My Choice consumer delivery management dashboard, an InsureShield claims pipeline that has paid $132M in 2025, and a public UPS Developer Portal exposing shipping, tracking, Global Checkout landed-cost, and SmartCrossBorder AI customs-classification APIs with SPD data files for third-party integration. Revenue is generated primarily through per-shipment transaction fees on package delivery, complemented by subscription and unit-priced pickup services (Daily Pickup, On-Call Pickup, Day-Specific Pickup tiers), healthcare cold chain logistics contracts, and insurance and freight forwarding fees.

The go-to-market motion is hybrid: enterprise field sales with dedicated account management for healthcare, B2B ecommerce, and large supply-chain customers, paired with a digital self-serve channel through UPS.com and a physical retail network of more than 5,000 The UPS Store franchise locations. Customer segmentation spans SMB shippers, large enterprise accounts, healthcare and life sciences firms, e-commerce retailers, and individual consumers. As of 2026, UPS is executing the largest network reconfiguration in its 118-year history — closing 93 buildings, automating 127 facilities, reducing roughly 48,000 positions with another 30,000 cuts planned for 2026 — to step away from approximately $5 billion of low-margin Amazon volume and reinvest savings, alongside healthcare M&A (Andlauer, Frigo-Trans/BPL), in higher-margin verticals such as healthcare logistics, B2B ecommerce, SMB marketplace shipping, and Asia Pacific technology supply chains.

Name

United Parcel Service

Legal name

United Parcel Service of America, Inc.

Website

https://ups.com

Company type

Public

Founded year

1907

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

5,001–10,000 employees

Short description

United Parcel Service (NYSE: UPS) is a global package delivery and integrated logistics company, founded in 1907 and headquartered in Atlanta, serving 200+ countries via 559 aircraft and 128,000 vehicles and delivering 20.8 million packages daily to SMBs, enterprises, healthcare, and consumers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Logistics Services

NAICS

Couriers and Express Delivery Services (4921), Scheduled Freight Air Transportation (481112), Freight Transportation Arrangement (488510), Local Messengers and Local Delivery (4922)

SIC

Air Courier Services (4513), Trucking & Courier Services (No Air) (4210), Arrangement Of Transportation Of Freight & Cargo (4731)

akta.pro primary industry

Integrated Express Parcel Carriers (Air + Ground) (THABAEAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Ground Express (Time-Definite Road Parcel) (TLAAABAC), International Express (Time-Definite Cross-Border) (TLAAABAB), Express PUDO / Parcel Lockers & Out-of-Home Time-Definite Pickup (TLAAABAL), Parcel Inject / Postal Workshare (Last-Mile Handoff) (TLAAACAJ)

Keywords

• Package delivery services
• Logistics solutions
• Supply chain management
• Freight transportation
• Express shipping

Headquarters

HQ city

Atlanta

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Package Delivery Services: Core revenue from ground and air package delivery services across domestic and international markets. Revenue is generated per shipment based on weight, dimensions, distance, and service level selected. UPS Ground, UPS Air, and UPS Express services constitute primary revenue streams.
2. UPS Healthcare Logistics: Specialized logistics services for pharmaceutical companies, diagnostic laboratories, medical device manufacturers including cold chain solutions, temperature-controlled storage and transport, and specialized handling for time-critical healthcare shipments.
3. Roadie Same-Day Delivery: Crowdsourced same-day delivery service leveraging gig economy drivers. Revenue generated per delivery based on size and distance of item being shipped.
4. Happy Returns Reverse Logistics: Box-free, label-free returns management solution for ecommerce merchants. Reduces costs for merchants while generating service fees for UPS.
5. InsureShield Shipping Insurance: Shipping insurance protection offered through UPS Capital Insurance Agency, covering loss, damage and theft. Claims paid within 5 days, with $132M in claims paid in 2025.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels8 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

UPS is a global package delivery and supply chain management company that transports letters, parcels, and freight via integrated air and ground networks in more than 220 countries. Its core service portfolio spans time-definite express delivery (Next Day Air, 2nd Day Air), deferred ground delivery, less-than-truckload and truckload freight forwarding, contract logistics and distribution, customs brokerage, and reverse logistics/returns for e-commerce.

Product overview

UPS offers a comprehensive logistics and delivery platform spanning core shipping services, specialized healthcare logistics, and acquired technology brands. The portfolio includes UPS Healthcare for pharmaceutical and medical logistics, Roadie for same-day crowdsourced delivery, Happy Returns for box-free e-commerce returns, InsureShield for shipping insurance, Parcel Pro for high-value goods, and UPS Supply Chain Solutions for freight forwarding. Core services include UPS Ground, Air, International shipping, and UPS Ground Saver (formerly SurePost) for economy delivery. UPS My Choice provides consumer delivery management while UPS Developer Portal enables third-party integrations.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Happy Returns: Box-free, label-free ecommerce returns management solution operating at nearly 8,000 drop-off locations including The UPS Store, Ulta Beauty, Staples, and Giant Eagle.
• Roadie
• Parcel Pro
• InsureShield
• UPS Supply Chain Solutions

Products and services

• UPS Next Day Air Time-definite next-business-day air delivery for letters and packages, available with morning, midday, and end-of-day delivery commitments; used by enterprises and consumers for urgent shipments.
• UPS 2nd Day Air Second-business-day air delivery for less time-sensitive but still expedited shipments, available with AM and standard delivery options across the U.S. and select international lanes.
• UPS Ground Day-definite ground delivery for commercial and residential parcels across all 50 U.S. states, Canada, and select intra-Mexico lanes; typically 1–5 day service.
• UPS Worldwide Express / International Shipping Services International air express services (Worldwide Express, Worldwide Saver, Worldwide Expedited) that move shipments between more than 220 countries and territories with customs clearance and door-to-door delivery.
• UPS Freight (LTL) Less-than-truckload (LTL) freight transportation across North America for palletized shipments that are too large for parcel but too small for full truckload, serving industrial and manufacturing shippers.
• UPS Supply Chain Solutions Contract logistics and distribution services including warehousing, fulfillment, transportation management, freight forwarding (air and ocean), and post-sales reverse logistics for enterprise customers.
• UPS Customs Brokerage Customs brokerage, trade compliance consulting, and import/export documentation services for cross-border parcel and freight shippers.
• UPS Returns Reverse logistics and returns management services — including prepaid return labels, Returns Manager, and drop-off at The UPS Store or UPS Access Points — designed for e-commerce shippers and their end customers.
• UPS My Choice Consumer-facing membership-style service that provides inbound package delivery alerts, delivery window notifications, redirect/hold requests, and consolidated delivery management for residential recipients.
• The UPS Store (Franchise Retail Shipping) Franchise-branded retail locations offering UPS shipping, packing, printing, mailbox, and small-business services to consumers and SMBs across the U.S.

Quantifiable outcome

• 8 years consecutive industry leader in on-time peak delivery
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers9 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

Yes

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

AI capability2 records

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• TSMCcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 25 March 2026Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) is a key customer for UPS's $100 million Taiwan logistics hub. The facility focuses on high-tech freight including TSMC shipments as part of UPS's strategy to serve the Asian technology supply chain.
• Applied MaterialscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 25 March 2026Applied Materials is a key customer for UPS's $100 million Taiwan logistics center opened March 25, 2026. The facility handles technology sector shipments for Applied Materials and other semiconductor equipment manufacturers.
• Andlauer Healthcare Group (AHG)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 3 November 2025UPS completed acquisition of Canadian healthcare logistics company for $1.6 billion in cash. The deal enhances UPS's healthcare logistics capabilities, especially in North America, and supports the goal to double healthcare logistics revenue by 2026. AHG specializes in temperature-sensitive pharmaceutical and healthcare supply chain management.
• Frigo-Trans and BPLcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 10 September 2024UPS announced acquisition of Germany-based healthcare logistics firm Frigo-Trans and its sister company BPL. Transaction expected to close in early 2025. The acquisition expands UPS's logistics and cold chain transportation capabilities in Europe for temperature-controlled healthcare shipments.
• MNX Global LogisticscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 6 November 2023Quad-C Management sold its investment in MNX Global Logistics to UPS in a transaction completed around November 6, 2023. MNX specializes in time-critical logistics for life sciences, medical devices, healthcare, aerospace, and industrial supply chains, expanding UPS's global healthcare and time-critical logistics capabilities.
• Happy ReturnscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 25 October 2023UPS acquired Happy Returns, a US-based software and reverse logistics company from PayPal. The acquisition expands UPS's returns footprint and enhances digital solutions for shippers and consumers. Happy Returns' no-box, no-label return process integrates with UPS's logistics network through nearly 8,000 drop-off locations.
• RoadiecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 10 September 2021UPS acquired Roadie, a technology platform specializing in same-day local delivery services. Roadie operates independently alongside UPS's existing network and extends UPS's ability to handle small, non-standard packages through a gig economy model, opening new growth opportunities in local delivery.

Scale indicators16 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Regional players

• Purolator Inc. Purolator is a leading Canadian integrated parcel and freight carrier with a model comparable to UPS Ground, Air, and international services in the Canadian market. Relevant peer given UPS's North American healthcare expansion (Andlauer) and cross-border U.S.–Canada volume.
• Aramex: Aramex is a Middle East-based international express, freight forwarding, and logistics company with particular strength across MENA and emerging markets. Comparable to UPS Supply Chain Solutions and international express in regions where UPS's direct presence is thinner.
• GLS (General Logistics Systems): GLS is a leading European B2C and B2B parcel delivery network operating across most EU markets. Directly comparable as a regional ground parcel alternative to UPS's European operations and relevant given UPS's healthcare logistics expansion into Europe via Frigo-Trans/BPL.
• Yamato Transport (ヤマト運輸): Yamato is Japan's dominant door-to-door parcel carrier offering time-definite domestic and cross-border services. Relevant peer for UPS's Asia-Pacific positioning and comparable last-mile, time-definite parcel model aimed at both consumers and SMBs.
• SF Express (顺丰控股): SF Express is the dominant integrated express parcel carrier in Greater China and an emerging international player. Comparable integrated air+ground express model and is a primary regional competitor for the Asia-Pacific high-tech freight UPS is targeting with its new Taiwan hub.

Direct peers

• FedEx Corporation: FedEx is UPS's primary global competitor across air and ground parcel delivery, offering Express, Ground, Freight, and Services with a comparable integrated air+ground network. Direct overlap on services (Express, Ground), customer segments (enterprise and SMB), and technology (tracking APIs, visibility platforms).
• DHL Express (Deutsche Post DHL Group): DHL is UPS's leading international express competitor and the global market leader in cross-border time-definite parcel delivery. Overlaps directly with UPS's International Express, Supply Chain Solutions, and healthcare logistics offerings, and competes for the same multinational enterprise customers.
• OnTrac (formerly LaserShip): OnTrac is a large U.S. ground parcel carrier focused on eCommerce fulfillment for retailers and marketplace sellers. Directly competes with UPS Ground for the same SMB/marketplace and B2C eCommerce shipments — the exact segment UPS is targeting in its Amazon-volume backfill strategy.

Others

• United States Postal Service (USPS): USPS is both a UPS partner (providing last-mile delivery for UPS Ground Saver/SurePost) and a competitor in last-mile parcel delivery. The relationship is structural and makes USPS an unavoidable peer in U.S. ground parcel economics.

Emerging players

• Amazon Logistics: Amazon's in-house delivery arm is both UPS's largest historical customer (now being deliberately reduced) and a growing third-party delivery competitor. Operates an air+ground network that competes for SMB and enterprise volume and is reshaping the structural economics of the U.S. parcel industry.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat7 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/UPS
• YouTubeyoutube.com/c/UPS
• Facebookfacebook.com/ups
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/ups
• Instagraminstagram.com/ups

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Subsidiaries7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds3 records

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A25 records

Investments13 records

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about United Parcel Service