UPS expands morning package-delivery service to 56 countries

UPS Inc. will expand its morning package-delivery service to 28 new countries and expand the urgent-shipping offering to additional ZIP codes in many others, the supply chain giant announced today.

Atlanta-based UPS is targeting this Worldwide Express Plus service for businesses in the industrial manufacturing, automotive, healthcare, and retail industries that often need to make urgent shipments. A package shipped by Express Plus service is guaranteed for delivery on the next business day as early as 8 a.m., depending on the destination.

The service had previously been available in 28 countries, and UPS will now add an additional 28 countries, including Turkey, Mexico, Vietnam, and United Arab Emirates. The company will also expand the range of Express Plus delivery in most of the original regions, adding 3,000 more postal codes in the U.K. and 2,000 more codes in Canada.

"Companies that require spare parts quickly to keep operations running and healthcare customers shipping emergency products rely on the speed and dependability of the service," UPS International President Jim Barber said in a statement. "With this latest expansion, the coverage area comprises nearly 90 percent of the global gross domestic product and nearly 90 percent of global real imports."

In addition to the Worldwide Express Plus service now covering 56 countries, UPS also offers expedited shipping options such as Express service for midday delivery to 118 countries and territories, and Express Saver for end-of-day delivery to 220 countries and territories.