Carrier vs Courier: Which One Should You Choose?4 min read
Courier-vs-carrier-services
Claire de Barra

What’s the difference between a carrier and a courier delivery?

Although you may have been using the terms interchangeably, did you know that there is a difference between a carrier and a courier? A carrier transports large quantities of goods at once, while a courier delivers smaller shipments such as parcels and documents. In this article, we will compare the advantages and disadvantages of shipping with a courier or carrier.

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What is a courier in logistics?

A courier is usually defined as a person or company that provides transport services for small parcels, urgent mail and documents. However, the term “courier” is quite broad, and, like carriers, courier companies transport goods from one point to another. So it’s easy to see why the difference between carriers and couriers is not always obvious.

Couriers typically provide a more personalised and customer-focused service. Customers pay more for courier services but get certain benefits such as choosing pick-up or delivery timeframes, depending on their chosen service.

Other differences between carriers and couriers are that courier services are faster, more efficient, and usually offer door-to-door services for the convenience of the customer.

Types of courier services

Couriers often have a particular speciality, so customers can choose different types of courier services depending on their particular requirements. Some examples include, but are not limited to:

  1. Same-day couriers (time-sensitive shipping)
  2. Dedicated couriers (dedicated service)
  3. Local couriers (focusing on specific cities/areas)
  4. Nationwide couriers (domestic shipping)

Continue reading about: All courier companies.

Shipping with a courier: pros and cons

Courier advantages

  • Door-to-door service available
  • Faster and more efficient way of shipping
  • More personalised and customer focused
  • Lower risk of loss or damage

Courier disadvantages

  • More expensive than carriers
  • Shipment size and weight limits apply
  • Not as specialised in long-distance shipping
  • More likely to face capacity issues, especially smaller companies

Read about notable couriers:

What is a carrier in logistics?

A carrier is a logistics provider that transports goods via land, air, or water. Carriers typically move large shipments that require trucks with specialised equipment, as well as loading and unloading sites.

Carrier services are not as fast as courier services but they are the most cost-effective option for shipping locally or internationally. They transport large quantities of cargo at once and they normally do not offer door-to-door services.

Goods moved by a carrier flow through a logistics chain. After collection, the goods are transported to a local distribution centre, where they are sorted and assigned to delivery vehicles according to their final destination.

Since carriers generally work according to stricter schedules compared to courier services, delivery times are less flexible compared to those offered by most courier companies.

Types of carriers

There are two principal types of carriers:

  1. Common carrier – a person or company that transports goods on regular routes at agreed rates, under license or authority provided by a regulatory body. Some examples of common carriers include a railroad, airline, and shipping line.
  2. Contract carrier – a person or company that provides transport services for specific, individual shippers, based on contracts. A contract carrier can be a man with a van or a large company with many vehicles like trucks and aircrafts.

Shipping with a carrier vs courier: pros and cons

Carrier advantages

  • Less expensive than couriers
  • Ideal for moving bulky, heavy items
  • More flexibility on shipment size or weight
  • Special shipping services available, e.g. for hazardous goods

Carrier disadvantages

  • Longer transit times
  • Higher risk of loss or damage
  • Carrier delivery times are less flexible
  • Usually no door-to-door service available

Read about notable carriers:

Carrier vs courier differences: when to choose which?

As you see, it’s important to understand the differences between carrier and courier deliveries before you choose one to handle your business shipments.

Check the following tips to help you decide whether you should ship with a carrier or courier:

  • For businesses needing to transport large quantities of goods internationally, on a regular basis, the services of a larger carrier company may prove more advantageous.
  • If you have an urgent shipment or very particular requirements, a courier service may be the right choice for you.

Sometimes you will need one type of service, other times you will need the other – the important thing is to recognise and understand the difference between a carrier and a courier.

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