Shipping to Hawaii: Rates and Best Options
Hawaii shipping involves unique pricing and longer transit. Compare carriers for island-bound packages.
How much does it cost to ship to Hawaii?
Shipping to Hawaii: USPS Ground Advantage $8-$22 for 1-10 lbs, Priority Mail $15-$35, UPS Ground $18-$45. Transit: 5-10 days ground, 2-3 days Priority.
Compare Shipping Rates
Real rates through ShipWave - save up to 54% vs retail
| Carrier | Service | Price | Delivery Time | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| USPS | Ground Advantage (3 lbs) | $10.50 | 5-10 days | Cheapest |
| USPS | Priority Mail (3 lbs) | $16.50 | 2-3 days | |
| USPS | Priority Mail Express (3 lbs) | $45.00 | 1-2 days | Fastest |
| UPS | Ground (3 lbs) | $22.50 | 7-10 days | |
| FedEx | Ground (3 lbs) | $21.85 | 7-10 days | |
| FedEx | 2Day (3 lbs) | $48.50 | 2 days |
Ground Advantage (3 lbs)
Priority Mail (3 lbs)
Priority Mail Express (3 lbs)
Ground (3 lbs)
Ground (3 lbs)
2Day (3 lbs)
* Prices shown are discounted ShipWave rates. Actual rates vary by exact dimensions, weight, and origin/destination.
Get Your Shipping Rate
Compare rates from multiple carriers and save up to 54% on shipping costs
Get Rate
Understanding Hawaii Shipping: Air vs Ocean
Hawaii shipping operates fundamentally differently from mainland routes due to the 2,400-mile Pacific Ocean crossing. Ground services (USPS Ground Advantage, UPS Ground, FedEx Ground) travel by container ship, taking 5-10 days. Priority and Express services fly, delivering in 2-3 days.
This air vs ocean distinction creates a significant price gap. Priority Mail costs roughly 50-60% more than Ground Advantage but delivers 3-5x faster. For time-sensitive shipments, air transport is worth the premium. For patient shippers, ocean freight offers substantial savings.
Carrier Strengths for Hawaii Routes
USPS: Best overall value and reach. Ground Advantage is cheapest for light packages. Priority Mail offers fast air transport at reasonable rates. Critically, USPS delivers to all Hawaii addresses including rural areas on neighbor islands that UPS/FedEx may not serve.
UPS: Strong presence in Honolulu and major cities on Oahu, Maui, and Big Island. Ground service uses ocean freight (7-10 days). UPS Air options (2nd Day, Next Day) are premium-priced but reliable. Best for business shipments requiring tracking and guaranteed delivery.
FedEx: Similar to UPS with excellent coverage in populated areas. FedEx Ground goes by ship. FedEx Express options provide fast air delivery. Their SmartPost service can save money for non-urgent shipments by handing off to USPS for final delivery.
Shipping to Neighbor Islands: Oahu vs Maui vs Big Island
Shipping to Oahu (Honolulu) is generally faster and cheaper than neighbor islands. All carriers have distribution centers in Honolulu. Packages to Maui, Big Island, Kauai, Molokai, and Lanai often require an additional inter-island transfer.
Oahu (Honolulu): All carriers serve well. Transit times are quoted Hawaii rates. Most packages arrive at the faster end of quoted windows.
Maui/Big Island/Kauai: Add 1-2 days for inter-island transfer. UPS/FedEx ground may be slower. USPS Priority Mail remains fast as mail flies inter-island daily.
Molokai/Lanai: Most remote. USPS is the most reliable option as UPS/FedEx have limited service. Priority Mail recommended.
Pro Tips to Save More
Priority Mail for Speed
Ground takes 7-10 days by ship. Priority Mail flies in 2-3 days - worth the 50-60% premium for time-sensitive items.
USPS Flat Rate Saves to Hawaii
Large Flat Rate Box ($21.60) ships to Hawaii at the same price as mainland. This is exceptional value for heavy items - Zone 8 weight-based would cost significantly more.
Ship from West Coast When Possible
California origins have faster transit times and sometimes lower rates. Los Angeles to Honolulu is the busiest Hawaii shipping lane.
Check Carrier Coverage for Neighbor Islands
UPS and FedEx don't serve all addresses on smaller islands. Verify delivery availability before shipping. USPS reaches every Hawaii address.
Avoid Shipping Restricted Items
Hawaii has agricultural import restrictions. No fresh produce, plants, or certain foods without inspection. Shipping prohibited items causes delays and return costs.
Frequently Asked Questions
- USPS Ground Advantage: 5-10 business days (travels by ship). Priority Mail: 2-3 days (travels by air). Priority Mail Express: 1-2 days guaranteed. Add 1-2 days for neighbor islands beyond Oahu.
- USPS Ground Advantage is cheapest for packages under 10 lbs. A 3 lb package costs about $10.50 via USPS vs $21-22 via UPS/FedEx Ground. For heavy items, Priority Mail Flat Rate boxes offer exceptional value - same price as mainland shipping.
- Packaged, commercially processed foods are generally allowed. Fresh produce, plants, and homemade foods face restrictions due to agricultural protection. The Hawaii Department of Agriculture inspects incoming shipments. Check their website for current restrictions before shipping.
- The 2,400-mile Pacific Ocean crossing requires either air freight (fast but expensive) or container ships (slow but cheaper). There's no ground transportation option. Fuel costs for trans-Pacific shipping drive rates higher than mainland routes of similar distance.
- Amazon Prime offers free shipping to Hawaii on eligible items, but not all products qualify. Heavy, bulky, or third-party items often have Hawaii shipping surcharges. Prime shipping typically uses USPS Priority Mail (2-3 days) for Hawaii deliveries.
Partnered with Leading Shipping Companies
We work with all major carriers to bring you the best rates and service options.
Fast, reliable overnight and ground shipping
Available Services:
Comprehensive shipping solutions worldwide
Available Services:
Affordable shipping to every address in the US
Available Services:
Leading international shipping and logistics
Available Services:
Real-Time Rates
Live pricing from all carriers updated continuously for accuracy.
Volume Discounts
The more you ship, the more you save with our tiered pricing.
Customer Support
24/7 support to help with all your shipping questions and needs.
Related Shipping Guides
Popular Shipping Calculators
Hear from Our Customers
Join thousands of satisfied customers who are saving money and time with ShipWave.
Sarah Johnson
Saved $2,400Handmade Crafts Co.
"ShipWave has saved us thousands on shipping costs. The interface is so easy to use, and the savings are incredible. Highly recommend!"
Mike Chen
Saved $5,600Tech Gadgets Store
"As an e-commerce business, shipping costs were killing our margins. ShipWave changed everything - we now save 45% on every shipment."
Lisa Rodriguez
Saved $1,800Boutique Fashion
"The rate comparison feature is amazing. I can see all options at once and choose what works best for each customer. Game changer!"
David Thompson
Saved $8,200Home Goods Direct
"Customer service is outstanding and the platform never goes down. We process hundreds of labels weekly without any issues."
Ready to Save on Shipping?
Compare rates from all major carriers and save up to 54% on your next shipment.
Free to use. No account required.