How Do Standard Courier Services Work?
TL;DR
- Courier services handle various shipments like packages and suitcases, with specific weight limits per provider.
- You can schedule a pickup date but not a specific time; drivers typically operate on weekdays.
- Proper packing is your responsibility, and the courier does not provide packing materials or assistance.
- Tracking is available throughout the delivery process, and if no one is home, a new delivery attempt may be arranged.
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It may seem obvious to some of us, but how do courier companies and their services work? Before booking, you should have an overview of what to expect from standard courier services.
Logistics providers offer countless services that you can book from, starting from envelopes, express packages, pallets, van deliveries, etc., and as such, some people might get confused about what the standard shipping include. Most common standard courier services offered are for:
Almost every courier service provider is specialised in different types of packages. It means that one company could be offering shipping services up to 30kg, whereas others accept to ship more massive shipment without any problems. It is essential to know the dimensions and the weight of what you wish to send and then find the right service for it.
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Logistics platforms, such as Eurosender, will help you with choosing the most cost-effective service for you, according to your shipment. Not only that, but you will not have to do whole research on your own on which courier allows up to 30 kg as standard, and which ones up to 40 kg. We will match you with the right courier for the corresponding weight.
Standard shipping service | Placing an order
So, you’ve already measured your package and explored your options, and now it’s time to place an order. It doesn’t matter if you decide to do that via booking platform or directly with the courier company; Similar rules apply.
First of all, when ordering standard courier services, you can select a specific pickup date but not a particular time. The driver follows a predetermined route and usually operates only on working days, between 9:00 and 18:00 (in the peak season, the driver may arrive later). In some cases, you might be able to get a narrower timeframe by calling the local courier directly. However, arranging a specific time within the standard courier service process is not an option.
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When it comes to your address, don’t hesitate to provide the courier company as many details as possible. Using door-to-door services allows you to order a pick up from almost any address. The driver has just to be able to find the place easily. Don’t forget about additional information that could be needed, such some access codes to the property or the names written on the doorbell (if it’s different than yours). Simply add anything that you think might help the driver locate your flat.
Packing items for your standard courier services
There are plenty of things that couriers do when dealing with packages. They handle and load parcels onto vehicles, plan and follow the most efficient routes or record important tracking information. Unfortunately, packing your items is not one of them.
If you need more instructions on how to pack and ship specific items, we invite you to follow this link.
The price for standard courier services does not include professional packing assistance, as well as any packaging (such as cardboard boxes). As the sender, you are responsible for choosing a proper way to pack and protect your items. It’s essential to take some time and appropriately pack the goods for transportation with a courier service provider. This means not only that your package must be properly closed and sealed, but also that its content should be adequately protected to avoid any damages. If you’re not sure how to prepare your package for a shipment, have a look at other blog posts. Depending on the courier company, you might be asked to print out the labels and mark the package yourself.
Waiting for the pickup
The pickup of your package will be scheduled for the date you selected when placing the order. As already mentioned, courier drivers can come anytime between 9:00 and 18:00. You don’t have to wait the whole day, but somebody must be present at the given address to be ready to hand your package to the courier.
If there is nobody available, the courier will not be able to collect your package. In this case, another pickup attempt will be scheduled. Be careful, because in some countries (such as Spain), only one pickup attempt is included in the price of standard courier services.
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Sometimes, due to unforeseen circumstances, couriers might not show up. If your address is either incorrect or difficult to locate, there’s heavy traffic, a car accident or any other problem on the road, your package won’t be collected on the chosen date. In any case, the responsible courier company should collect your parcel on the next working day.
Unfortunately, there is no guarantee that the courier will call you before the pickup, as it varies from country to country, and it also depends on the courier service provider. If the courier driver decides to do so, he will only call a local phone number. He might not be able to speak any “international” language.
Tracking your parcel
The delivery of your package is fully tracked. Once it has been collected, it is going to be taken to a local depot and a sortation hub, where it finds its way to the recipient’s address. This process is done a couple of times until your parcel is assigned to the specific driver for the final delivery.
Check the status of your shipment here.
Almost every stage of the distribution chain is a 24-hour operation, consisting of a constant inflow and outflow of packages. As a result, each of them is prone to damage or loss. That’s why it’s vital to protect your items appropriately and track them throughout their journey. If you think that something might have gone wrong with the delivery, check our blog post.
Expecting to receive the package
From the moment you hand your items to the courier, up to the minute the parcel reaches its destination, there is a lot of work involved to transit your package safely and quickly. Be patient, as it might take some time. However, if you notice something unusual in the tracking system, and your package seems to be delayed, do not hesitate to contact the booking platform you used or the courier company directly. Have a look at our shipping-guide dedicated to the case of packages not being delivered on time.
If no one is available to accept your parcel, the courier should leave a note explaining how to arrange a new delivery attempt in the upcoming days. In some countries, the courier service providers guarantee only one delivery attempt. After the first attempt is made, the parcel will be stored in the local depot, and the customer can pick it up from there. Sometimes your package could be delivered to a “safe” location nearby, for example to your neighbour, local post office or a delivery point.
Bear in mind that is the standard courier services we are talking about. Each courier company offers a range of additional services, that can be purchased when placing an order.
Still have questions?
Check our articles that answer the most common questions about shipping.
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About the author
Marcel Nahtigal is Head of Marketing at Eurosender, specializing in digital strategies to enhance customer connections in logistics.
