The world of courier services can be quite confusing if you are new to the field, but it doesn’t have to be overwhelming or intimidating. With a little guidance and advice, you can get up to speed quickly and find the right courier service company for your needs and preferences. Use these tips to help you make an informed decision when choosing the best courier service company for your shipping needs.
What are the types of shipping services?
Before you begin comparing courier services, it’s important to know what types of shipping services are available. There are several options from which you can choose
- Air freight – This is used for large shipments that need to be delivered quickly and efficiently. You may have heard of companies like FedEx and UPS using air freight; they’re both major players in international shipping as well as domestic deliveries within their respective countries. The downside is that air freight is very expensive compared to other methods, but if your shipment needs to arrive in a hurry and you don’t want to deal with customs issues, then air freight might be worth considering.
- Land transport – This is what most people think of when they hear courier service. It’s not uncommon for people to use courier services to send items across town or even across an ocean. If you choose land transport, your package will be shipped via truck or train (or boat). It’s generally slower than air freight, but it’s also much cheaper and more environmentally friendly because it doesn’t require any fuel consumption.
- Sea freight – Sometimes called marine cargo shipping, sea freight relies on ocean-going vessels rather than trucks or trains to get goods from one place to another.
Do I need an international shipping service?
There are two main options for international shipping services: courier services and expedited parcel service. The latter is usually provided by USPS, UPS or FedEx. With courier services, such as DHL or EMS, you have more direct control over shipping, but there’s also less visibility into tracking packages. International shipments need to be weighed and paid in advance of being sent and they take longer than domestic shipments. As far as delivery times go, it’s largely dependent on where you are in relation to your country of origin as well as which carrier you choose.
What does on-time delivery really mean?
There’s a lot more to on-time delivery than you might think. When it comes down to it, there are four levels of service providers: Those who promise 100% on-time delivery; those who get 95% of deliveries there within a reasonable amount of time; those who give 90%; and those that hit 50%. There are only two types of businesses: One which delivers everything on time, and one which doesn’t. Don’t be one that does not deliver on time.
How can I save money on shipping freight?
Even if you’re not trying to save money on shipping freight, saving money is always nice. That’s why you need a courier service company that can beat your competitors on price. When evaluating shipping companies for your upcoming shipments, request an estimate from every one of them so that you know which are the cheap courier services. This will give you an idea of how much each shipping company charges for its services and will show you where there may be opportunities for savings.