If you are purchasing a product online or if you are being shipped merchandise by a store, you may be told that it will be a certain number of business days. What do business days mean and how do you calculate them?
3 to 5 business days means days excluding weekends. If you ordered an item on Monday, you can expect to receive your package on either Thursday or Friday.
The number of business days means the number of days based upon the accepted operating days. This can be misinterpreted as all days or calendar days, which can be shorter than business days. Therefore, if someone is expecting delivery within 3 to 5 business days of shipping, they may be mistaken.
How to Calculate the Number of Business Days
Business days are typically Monday-Friday. Although, there are some additional days in the calendar year that are not business days, even when they are on Monday-Friday. Those days must be accounted for. You calculate the business days by looking at a calendar and counting out the days from when you purchased the product, excluding Saturday and Sunday.
Which Days Are Additional Non-Business Days?
Business days that are forgone are typically federal holidays. You can find a list of holidays here. Federal holidays are typically consistent from year to year, but they may fall on different days of the week from year to year. So, it may be beneficial to check this holiday list if you expect your delivery is delayed.
Can an Item Arrive Outside the Business Day Window?
Deliveries can arrive outside the delivery window of time. Businesses and freight should do everything in their power to deliver packages in the timeframe they are stating. However, there are conditions that could prevent it including weather and traffic. Additionally, packages may arrive earlier than the delivery window if the conditions are positive.
Here is a quick chart to help you calculate when a package should arrive:
| Order Placement Day | Arrival After 3 Business Days | Arrival After 4 Business Days | Arrival After 5 Business Days |
| Monday | Thursday | Friday | Monday |
| Tuesday | Friday | Monday | Tuesday |
| Wednesday | Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday |
| Thursday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday |
| Friday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday |
Can I Assure That My Package Is On-Time?
Most freight companies allow you to track your package online. For example, click here to see how you can track your UPS package. Freight companies can provide this information because periodically throughout the duration of the shipment, they are scanning the product to update the system. You will typically receive a tracking code to allow you to track it.
Where Do I Find My Tracking Code?
It is standard practice for most companies to provide a tracking code. The shipping code will typically link to the webpage of the freight company. If you did not receive a shipping code, contact the company you bought the product from or the freight company themselves.
Are There Any Risks for My Package?
Receiving a package through the mail poses some risk. Weather, traffic, and lost or stolen packages may happen. Before you purchase the product, it is advised that you review the company’s policy for these instances. To note, freight companies occasionally have insurance you can purchase to reimburse you for lost or stolen deliveries.
