"Why are some real-time shipping methods are missing from the checkout?"

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Short Answer:

Please see the related question below for more general answers about why shipping rates might not be appearing. 

This article specifically covers issues where the shopper can see shipping rates from real-time carriers (e.g. UPS, USPS, FedEx), but some of the rates are missing.

In almost every case, this problem is usually because the carrier (e.g. UPS, FedEx) does not offer that particular method between the two locations (FROM and TO addresses).  This may be affected by various factors such as total weight of the items in the cart, and the real-time shipping configuration.  Here are some of the more common ones, but when in doubt, you should check with your carrier.

UPS

For UPS users, we have seen that the method "Ground" is not possible when you are using their "UPS Drop Box" option.  UPS informed us that drop boxes are only available for 2nd day, overnight, and air letter.  You will find the details of this below.

Another common one is rates for Canada not appearing.  UPS has a special shipping method set aside just for Canada.  Please be sure you have enabled it in your online store.

USPS

For USPS, a common problem is "First Class" mail. This is because only letters weighing under 13 ounces can qualify for First Class.  Since First Class is a lot slower than priority mail, with almost no price difference, it is unlikely that most online stores need to offer this anyways.

Do not forget that if you are testing International shipping, that you are using an international address.

USPS also has certain weight minimum/maximum limitations depending on where you are sending it to.

Detailed Explanation:

Just because you offer, for example "UPS Ground" on your online store, does not necessarily mean that UPS offers it.; that is, between the "from address" and "destination address."  In other words, they don't offer that service between your store, and the shoppers address.  This occurs more frequently with priority services like Overnight, and rural areas.

It may also be affected by weight, so if the shopper only has a couple of pounds of product in the cart, then they may be presented different shipping options than if they had 5 or 10 pounds.

Note that the configuration of the real-time shipping also has an effect.  On the shipping settings, there is a link called CONFIGURE, which lets you define "How will you get your package(s) to UPS?" This option will also affect shipping types offered to the shopper. 

Please note that when you run a test using our TEST SHIPPING page, that those options are not directly linked to your CONFIGURATION settings.  Nor is it tied to the shipping options you have enabled.  It simply shows all possible rates.

As mentioned earlier, UPS does not allow ground shipping from their drop-boxes, and here is an exact quote from their website, from “UPS Services at Retail Locations” at
http://www.ups.com/content/us/en/resources/get/dropoff.html

“UPS Drop Box
UPS Drop Boxes are self-service locations that accept U.S. air and international letters, and small packages. You can drop off your shipment
24 hours a day and take advantage of later pickup times.

Restrictions
UPS 3 Day Select and UPS Ground service packages cannot be processed at UPS Drop Boxes. The maximum declared value for each package shipped at a UPS Drop Box is US$500.

Package Size Limit
Only letters and paks are accepted for shipment at UPS Drop Boxes.”

However, on the same page, it states that you should be able to drop all ground packages at UPS Stores, UPS customer Centers, or UPS Authorized Shipping Outlets.  Thus, I am unsure why it is removing the ability to process ground packages when “'dropping it off' at a UPS store.”