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Carrier vs. courier: a retailer's guide to commercial shipping options
Getting objects from one place to another is a big part of the retail business. Understanding different shipping options and how they compare is an important part of the job, since making the right (or wrong) choice can have a real impact on your bottom line. For most business shipping needs, your main options likely fall under 2 categories: courier and carrier.
The terms “courier” and “carrier” are often used interchangeably, but they do have distinct meanings. In this article, we’ll explain the difference between a courier and a carrier and what businesses need to know to make the best choice for their needs.
Carrier vs. courier: What’s the difference?
Carriers and couriers are both in the business of making deliveries, but the kind of deliveries they specialize in vary. The main factors that define the difference between a carrier and a courier include:
- Scale of operations: Couriers often focus on smaller shipments, handling a few small packages at a time. Carriers handle a much larger quantity of deliveries at once through large trucks, trains, planes, and/or ships.
- Delivery speed: Couriers are more likely to offer fast options like express and same-day delivery, while carrier deliveries tend to be slower.
- Coverage area: Couriers often focus on a small geographic area, sometimes handling only local deliveries. Carriers can handle deliveries over long distances, spanning states and countries to get items where they’re needed.
- Cost: Because couriers tend to offer faster, more specialized services, you can usually expect a higher cost. With carriers, the higher volumes and longer time frames usually translate to a lower price.
People sometimes confuse the 2 terms because several big delivery companies offer both courier and carrier services. Businesses like FedEx and UPS, and government mail organizations (such as USPS, the United States Postal Service), offer a range of delivery options. You can use them for fast, local, premium deliveries (the courier side of business) or slower, more affordable, long-distance deliveries (the carrier side of business).
But you can also find companies that focus specifically on either carrier or courier services. Many cities, for example, have local courier companies that specialize in making deliveries in the immediate area. Platforms like Uber Direct provide local delivery services across multiple regions nationwide. Meanwhile, international logistics companies, like Maersk and MSC (Mediterranean Shipping Company), have built the infrastructure for managing large-scale deliveries across long distances and tend to keep their focus on carrier services.
Understanding carriers
Carriers are in the volume business. They can handle transporting large quantities of goods and materials, including large items, across long distances. Carriers often use an array of transportation methods to achieve this, including:
- Ocean transport via sea vessels
- Ground freight via rail and semitrucks
- Air freight via planes
Common use cases for carriers
Businesses will typically want to use carriers in a few main situations, such as:
- Bulk shipments: Carriers are a good option when you have a lot of inventory to move. Shipping a large quantity of items at once can even sometimes get you a better deal. When shipping by truck, for example, you may get a better price (and faster shipment) for filling the full truck versus having a partial truckload.
- Middle-mile delivery: Carriers are more likely to deliver shipments to destinations like warehouses and ports, rather than handing off items at a consumer’s door. Their role generally falls earlier in the supply chain than that of couriers.
- Large items: Carriers will be better equipped to handle large and bulky items like furniture than couriers will. They’re also the better option for oversized freight, like large building materials, that requires special equipment.
- Long-distance shipping: If you need to move items across state lines or over country borders, carriers have the infrastructure in place to handle that.
Pros of using carriers for business shipping
- They can handle situations couriers can’t, such as long distances, bulk shipments, and large items
- They’re a cost-effective option, especially if you take advantage of economies of scale and don’t need deliveries in a hurry
Cons of using carriers for business shipping
- They don’t typically handle last-mile delivery
- You have less control over when an item will arrive
- They’re less likely to offer same-day or on-demand delivery
- They’re not as cost-effective or practical for smaller shipments
Understanding couriers
Couriers are a different, but similarly valuable, part of the shipping services landscape. They tend to focus on more specialized needs, such as smaller shipments, fast deliveries, and last-mile services. Many couriers stick with offering local deliveries, but there are some courier companies that can handle national or international shipments. These can be a good option when you need the other specialized services of a courier (such as speed and flexibility) for a long-distance delivery.
Common use cases for couriers
Couriers are most useful to businesses for a few main needs:
- Last-mile delivery: If you want to get items directly to a customer’s door, couriers are the way to go. They can also be the best option for deliveries to a storefront that lacks a loading dock.
- Specialized delivery: Some courier services focus on specific types of products to deliver, such as legal documents, medical deliveries like prescriptions, or food delivery.
- Fast deliveries: Couriers often provide options for quick deliveries, including next-day, same-day, and express services (sometimes in under 2 hours). For retail businesses, offering faster delivery can be a valuable way to attract and retain customers.
Pros of using couriers for business shipping
- They can get deliveries out quickly
- They offer flexibility in pickup and dropoff locations; you’re not limited to warehouses or other facilities with loading docks and specific equipment
- Some offer scheduled delivery features, giving you more control over the timing of deliveries
- As last-mile delivery providers, they can help improve the customer experience
Cons of using couriers for business shipping
- Courier services generally cost more than traditional carriers per delivery, especially for specialized deliveries and fast options
- They have more limitations on the size and quantity of items you can ship
- Not all courier services can handle long distances, and those that do will likely be pricier than carriers
Offer your customers local courier delivery with Uber Direct
In the matchup of carriers vs. couriers, there’s not a clear winner. Determining which option is the best choice for your business depends on your specific needs and use cases. Many businesses will find value in using a mix of both; you might use carrier services for inventory delivery to the store and courier services to get e-commerce orders to the customer. In both cases, though, the company you choose for your shipping needs matters. When you need fast, precise local deliveries that create a great customer experience, selecting a reliable courier service is essential. Uber Direct is a white-label delivery service that offers express delivery options for your local delivery needs. To deliver the kind of last-mile delivery experience that keeps customers coming back, get started with Uber Direct today.
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