A local courier is an important piece of the logistics puzzle. It helps individuals and businesses fulfil their regional logistics needs. Individuals can send parcels to their friends and families living in the country. Businesses can use local couriers for various supply chain operations.
A local courier in Australia can help businesses move their inventory, send documents, and ship products to their customers. The local courier facility becomes the go-to option for various transportation requirements of a company.
In this article, we will discuss various aspects of a local courier service. We will look at the various operations and services of a local courier facility. We will also discuss the factors you need to consider to choose the best local courier in Australia. Finally, we will understand how you can calculate the cost of sending a courier.
What is a Local Courier Service?
A local courier is a delivery service that transports goods within a specific region. The region of operation can be a city or a district. The origin and destination of a local courier are within the same region.
For instance, a local courier in Australia would only cater to a city like Sydney or Melbourne. The local courier service of Melbourne would not serve senders in Sydney and vice versa.
A local courier service is a cheaper and more efficient option if you want to send a parcel within a metro area. A larger delivery service would first take your parcel to a sorting facility. This location may be even further than the destination. Hence, it would cost you more.
On the other hand, a local courier delivery uses a local facility for sorting. As they operate in a specific region, local courier services use smaller vehicles compared to intercity or interstate courier services. This means that your parcel travels less distance. So you will have to pay less and the parcel will be delivered faster.
What is a Local Courier Facility?
A local courier facility is a place that manages the movement of parcels in a location. This facility can be a warehouse or a cross-docking terminal. A local courier facility serves as a mediator between the sender and the receiver. This facility only serves a specific location. It can be a city, town, or district.
However, a local courier facility can also serve as an extension of an international courier or domestic courier network as well. For instance, an Australian local courier facility serving Melbourne will mediate the trade of a shipment from other cities. In such cases, the local courier facility serves as a micro-fulfilment solution for last-mile delivery.
Despite its broad horizons, a local courier facility only serves a particular region. It may receive parcels from elsewhere. But, the destination of these parcels is always the facility’s region. Similarly, the local courier facility may dispatch parcels to various locations. But, they only send parcels received from the facility’s region.
A local courier facility primarily performs three functions:
Receiving:
The local courier facility receives parcels shipped by senders in the region. It would also receive couriers sent to the region from elsewhere.
Let’s say you want to send a local courier delivery in Australia from Brisbane to Adelaide. The courier will first go to a local courier service in Brisbane. They will send it to Adelaide. The local courier facility in Adelaide will receive it. Then local courier delivery of Adelaide will deliver it to the address in the city.
Organising:
The local courier facility sorts and organises received parcels based on the destination address. It performs the function of a fulfilment centre. Although the time in storage at such facilities is short. The local courier facility may receive parcels from various destinations. These can be local, intercity, interstate, or international.
The courier facility then sorts these parcels based on the delivery address. They organise parcels received from outside the region for local courier delivery. Similarly, they sort parcels received from within the region for domestic or international courier delivery.
A local courier facility may also mediate receiving and delivery within the region.
For example, a local courier in Australia serves Canberra. It can receive parcels from Greenway for delivery to Amaroo. The customer will send the courier to the local delivery service in Greenway. This parcel will go to a local courier facility in Canberra, Australia. They will sort the parcel with other deliveries for Amaroo.
Dispatching:
The local courier facility prepares a dispatch schedule after it sorts the parcels based on the destination. The dispatched couriers can be destined for locations within the facility’s region or outside it.
If the destination is outside the facility’s region. Then the parcel will go to another courier facility. If a local courier service in Australia has a presence in several cities. A customer sends the parcel from Darwin to Perth. The local courier facility in Darwin will dispatch the parcel to the courier facility in Perth. This parcel will go with other couriers destined for Perth.
If the destination is within the facility’s region. Then the parcel is directly dispatched for local courier delivery. For instance, the local courier delivery in Australia ships pallets of couriers from Darwin to Perth. Then the pallet is unpacked at the local courier facility in Perth. They load individual parcels into a delivery vehicle. Then the local courier service in Perth delivers the parcel to its destination.
This way a local courier facility distributes parcels based on their destination. If the origin and destination are in the same city. The local courier facility will directly dispatch it for delivery.
How to Send a Parcel with Local Courier Delivery in Australia?
The method to send a parcel with local courier delivery depends on factors like:
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Available local courier services near you
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Services offered by the local courier company
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The distance between the origin and destination
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Contents of a parcel
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Packaging of a parcel
These factors define the scope of local courier delivery. They determine the cost, mode of transport, packaging, and delivery time. These factors are also interdependent. For instance, a fast local courier in Australia will also be a little expensive. On the other hand, standard courier delivery in Australia will take time. But, it will be cheaper.
However, the process of local courier delivery remains the same for the customer in other aspects. Here is how you can send a parcel with a local courier delivery service:
Step 1: Packing & Labelling
You need to appropriately pack the parcel before sending it for local courier delivery. The packaging depends on the contents of the parcel. If you send fragile items, you must pack them with cushioning. However, if you are sending non-fragile items like clothing. Then you can use a courier post satchel.
Some local courier facilities in Australia also offer packing solutions. You can outsource packaging to them for better efficiency.
You also need to consider the weight of the package for shipping. Additional weight can increase the cost of local courier delivery. The packaging material should be sturdy enough to protect the contents. At the same time, it should not add unnecessary weight.
Once the parcel is packed, you need to label it. The labels convey the necessary information for local courier delivery. They convey information about the destination, weight, and contents of the package. The labels also carry handling instructions for fragile items. The label helps a local courier facility to sort and dispatch the package accurately.
You can print the labels using online self-service for local couriers in Australia. As with packing, you can also outsource this job to the courier company. However, you must convey the necessary information accurately.
You can refer to these guidelines for packaging standards to ensure that your parcel fulfils the compliance requirements for local courier delivery.
Step 2: Pickup / Drop-off
The process of local courier delivery may vary based on the mode of collection. Some require you to drop off the parcel at their local courier facility. If so, you would have to drop off the parcel at the courier facility. You can also have your parcel labelled at the facility.
Some local couriers in Australia offer parcel pickup services. With this service, the courier company will pick up the parcel from your doorstep. If you are a retailer or e-commerce, they will pick up the package from your warehouse, fulfilment centre or retail outlet.
Once you hand over the parcel, it goes to the local courier facility. There it gets sorted and organised based on the destination.
Step 3: Tracking
Most local courier services in Australia will give you a tracking number. This number allows you to track and trace your parcel. You will see different statuses based on the progress of the parcel. Some of the common stages for local courier delivery in Australia include:
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Information Received: The courier service has received information about your delivery request.
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Collection Dispatched: The courier service has sent someone to collect the parcel from your location.
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Parcel Received: The local courier facility has received your parcel.
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Shipment Dispatched: The courier facility has dispatched the parcel for transport.
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In Transit: Your parcel is on the way to its destination.
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Arrived at Destination: Your parcel has reached the local courier facility in the destination city.
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Out for Delivery: The local courier facility has dispatched your parcel for last-mile delivery.
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Delivered: Your parcel has reached its destination.
The above tracking statuses outline the typical journey of your parcel. But, sometimes there are problems with local courier delivery. In such cases, you may see some of the following tracking statuses:
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System Return: The courier service sent your parcel to the wrong facility. The facility recognised the error and returned the parcel. The parcel returns to the previous facility and restarts its journey.
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Delivery Exception: The delivery of your parcel is delayed due to unexpected circumstances. The factors for delivery exceptions can be bad weather, vehicle breakdown, blocked routes, and so on.
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Consignee Not Present: The parcel reached its destination, but there was no one there to receive it.
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Refused the Package: The receiver refused to accept the parcel.
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Return to Sender: The parcel is returned to the sender under several circumstances. These include incorrect delivery address, receiver refusing to accept the parcel, and so on.
The tracking status may also vary depending on the destination. If you are using a local courier service in Australia to ship internationally. You would also see tracking status concerned with international shipping and customs clearance.
Step 4: Delivery / Return
This is the final stage of a local courier delivery. The parcel either reaches the destination or gets returned to the sender. In either case, the delivery cycle is deemed complete.
If the parcel is returned to the sender, it first reaches your local courier facility. Then you will have to pick up the parcel from the facility. The courier company may also deliver the parcel to your (sender’s) address. Although this depends on the available services of the company.
If the parcel is successfully delivered, the courier company collects proof of delivery. The proof of delivery can be digital or physical. The courier company would collect the signature of the receiver. They may also use digital verification to confirm the delivery.
Now that we have covered how you can send a parcel with local courier services in Australia, let’s look at some scenarios when you can use these services.
When to Use Local Courier Services in Australia?
You can use a local courier for a variety of logistics requirements. Here are ten situations when a local courier service can help you:
1. Local or Point-to-Point Delivery
You can use local courier delivery to send items across the city. A point-to-point delivery takes the parcel from one location and delivers it to another. But, this format only operates within a certain range. This is usually a city or a district.
For example, an Australian local courier service can deliver your parcel from Elanora to Helensvale in Gold Coast.
2. Priority Courier
A local courier service can send your parcel on priority to different locations in a country. A priority courier service delivers the parcel the next business day. You can send the parcel to your local courier facility. They will ship the parcel overnight to the destination’s courier facility.
The destination’s local courier facility will then complete the last-mile delivery. You can use a priority courier for all kinds of domestic deliveries. For instance, a fast local courier in Australia can deliver a parcel from Brisbane to Adelaide by the next business day.
3. Same-Day Delivery
You can use local courier delivery to ship something in a day. You can use the local courier facility in your city to send a parcel. The destination can be within your city or another city. The destination, distance and time are crucial factors for same-day delivery.
You need to ship the parcel before a certain time. If the parcel leaves the local courier facility of your city by that time. It can reach the destination by the end of the day. However, unlike priority couriers, same-day delivery is not limited to business days.
Distance is another critical factor for same-day delivery. Same-day delivery may not be applicable to certain cities owing to distance, geographical location, or logistics limitations. However, some local couriers offer same-day delivery across Australia.
A reliable local courier in Australia would take a parcel from Darwin and deliver it to Alice Springs within 24 hours. Even if you are sending the parcel on weekends.
4. Interstate Courier
You can use a local courier facility to send a parcel from one state to another. Standard interstate courier services may take 5 to 10 business days. This depends on the type of parcel, distance, and destination. Certain remote locations may not be on regular delivery schedules.
You can use priority shipping to deliver the parcel faster. Interstate priority delivery usually takes between 1 to 5 days. If you want to speed up the process even further, you can use the same-day delivery option.
For example, the best local courier in Australia can deliver a parcel from Perth to Brisbane within 24 hours. These are the furthest apart cities in the country. If this delivery can happen in a day. Other distances should not be a problem.
5. Shipping Large Goods
A local courier facility can help you ship goods that weigh more than 30 kg. These larger goods require special handling. So you need a reliable courier service to ship them carefully. You can send the drop-off of the freight at the local courier facility. Or have it picked up from your location.
The larger goods need more space. Depending on the size and weight, they may also need larger vehicles for shipping. Owing to this, a local courier facility may take longer to ship larger goods. You can still use priority services to ship freight over 30 kgs.
6. Shipping Unpacked Goods
You can use a local courier facility to ship unpacked goods. The facility can pack the goods for you before shipping. This service is commonly used for fragile items. Such items require special packaging, labelling, and handling. So it is better to hand over the task to a reliable courier in Australia.
They can pack the items depending on the shipping requirements. For instance, a local courier facility will use foam cushions to protect fragile items like glassware. They would also label it for special handling and storage. You can also use this type of courier service for art and antique items.
7. Shipping Luggage & Personal Effects
A local courier service can help you transport your personal items or excess baggage from one city to another. This service comes in handy when you have more luggage than is allowed by the airline. You can use a local courier facility to send the excess luggage to your home town.
This way you can avoid paying additional charges for overweight luggage. A local courier in Australia will cost you less than the airline charges for the same weight. Especially if you have significant excess weight. You can then collect the package from your city’s local courier facility. Or have it delivered to your address.
8. Retail Shipping
You can use a local courier service to distribute inventory for your retail business. A local courier facility can help you receive inventory from suppliers and manufacturers. It can also receive delivery of international shipments from a port. You can also use a local courier service in Australia to send inventory to retail outlets in different cities.
In such cases, the local courier facility acts as a distribution centre. It can receive a large pallet of inventory. Then it can sort and distribute the inventory to several stores in the city. You can define the criteria for distribution. The local courier facility will dispatch the inventory based on these criteria.
9. Ecommerce Order Fulfilment
A local courier facility can serve as a micro-fulfilment centre for an eCommerce brand. You can use a local courier service for last-mile delivery in eCommerce order fulfilment.
The courier facility can receive inventory from the eCommerce brand. It can unpack and sort the inventory for delivery. They separate individual deliveries from the inventory. These parcels are then dispatched for local courier delivery. The courier company collects proof of delivery from the customer and sends it to the eCommerce brand.
A small eCommerce brand can also use a fast local courier in Australia to offer attractive shipping options like next-day and same-day delivery. They can use priority courier services to ship individual parcels to individual customers.
A local courier facility also plays a critical role in reverse logistics for eCommerce. They can dispatch a person to pick up the product from the customer. The courier facility packs the received products and ships them to a predefined destination.
10. International Courier Service
A local courier facility can serve as a mediator for sending and receiving international shipments. The courier facility can receive international shipments from a port after customs clearance. Then they can deliver the shipment to your address.
Similarly, you can also use a local courier facility to ship goods internationally. The local courier service can receive goods from your location. Then they can dispatch it to an international carrier for shipping. The local courier facility can also package the parcel appropriately for international shipping.
Let’s assume you want to ship goods from Australia to the USA. You can first send the goods to your local courier facility. They can appropriately package and label the goods. Then they dispatch the goods to the designated airport or seaport.
Here onwards, the international carrier takes over the shipping process. A similar local courier facility in the USA can receive the goods from the port. Then they dispatch it to the defined destination.
Although a local courier facility serves a specific region, it can offer a wide range of services to its customers.
How to Choose a Local Courier in Australia?
The right local courier service can help you in several different ways. It can help you address your logistics needs. Here are some important aspects you should consider when choosing a local courier service:
1. Price
The cost of shipping is often the primary concern. You need to check whether the price matches the service quality. You can compare the price and services offered by different local courier services in Australia. Then you can choose the one that best suits your budget and logistics requirements.
2. Services
Alongside price, you also need to consider the range of courier services offered by a company. As established above, a local courier facility can serve you in various ways. Your logistics requirements may be limited at present. But, you may need to avail more services in the future. You should choose a local courier in Australia that can fulfil your present and future needs.
3. Warranty
Shipping warranty offers protection for you in case of loss or damage to goods. This is especially necessary if you are shipping for retail or eCommerce. Shipping damages are responsible for 20% of product returns.
You should choose a reliable courier in Australia to carry out the task. At the same time, you need to check the warranty protection offered by the courier service. This helps relieve your burden a little if things go wrong.
4. Speed of Delivery
Next to cost, the speed of delivery is often the most important factor for choosing a courier service. This is a significant factor for eCommerce. Long delivery time is one of the most common reasons for cart abandonment in online shopping. You should choose a local courier that can deliver your parcel fast and efficiently.
5. Customer Support
Alongside cost and service, you should also consider the customer support provided by a local courier. This is an often overlooked aspect when choosing a local courier service. A company’s customer support can guide you towards the right solutions for you. You will also need their assistance in case of delays or shipping damages.
You should go through the local courier’s customer reviews to learn about the support services. Choose a local courier in Australia that can help you with guidance and problem resolution.
6. Trackability
You lose visibility over your parcel after you hand it over to the local courier facility. Then you have to depend on the tracking features. This tells you exactly where your parcel is and when it will reach its destination. You should choose a local courier delivery that offers maximum transparency in this regard.
7. Flexibility
Flexibility in local courier services is crucial for business-related shipping. A retailer may be sending two couriers a week now. But, you may need to send twelve couriers a week as the business grows.
You need to ensure that your chosen local courier facility is compatible with your growth. You should also consider the cost and service benefits you can get with scale.
8. Network
Many of the local courier services depend on the delivery network of the courier company. The expanse of the network affects the cost and speed of local courier delivery. For instance, a local courier in Australia can give you a better deal if they have their own fleet of vehicles and a widespread network of courier facilities in the country.
While this may not be a major factor for one-off deliveries. But, it becomes a crucial factor if you are a regular sender. The network of a local courier is also significant if you are using the service for business logistics or eCommerce order fulfilment. You should choose a local courier service based on their presence in your target markets.
How Much Does a Local Courier Service Cost in Australia?
The cost of local courier service depends on a few critical factors. These include:
1. Volumetric Weight
2. Distance
3. Speed of Delivery
4. Value of Goods
Collectively, these four factors decide the cost of local courier delivery. Among these, volumetric weight and distance have the highest impact on the cost. The speed of delivery adds to the additional charges for fast local couriers.
The value of goods affects the cost of shipping insurance. If you are not shipping highly valuable goods such as jewellery or artwork, its impact on the cost is negligible. You can use PACK & SEND’s postage calculator to find out the cost of local courier delivery for your specific requirements.
Choose a Fast and Reliable Local Courier for Your Parcels
A local courier can provide a wide range of services to individuals and businesses. They can help you send one-off couriers. They can also help you ship your inventory and manage order fulfilment.
A local courier facility can serve as a cross-docking terminal and fulfilment centre for your businesses. And you only have to pay for the services you use. A local courier service can be your fast and reliable partner for all shipping needs.
PACK & SEND is the best local courier service in Australia as recognised and awarded by ProductReview.com.au and Trust Pilot. Its service experience has consistently received high ratings from customers. You can use PACK & SEND courier services for a variety of local, domestic, and international deliveries.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Which courier is best for local delivery in Australia?
PACK & SEND is one of the best local couriers in Australia as rated by customers. The company’s service experience has also won several recognitions and awards. You can use PACK & SEND’s courier services to send parcels anywhere in Australia and abroad.
How do I get a courier to pick up a parcel?
You first need to check if your courier service provider offers pick-up service. If so you can place an order for parcel pick up. If not, you can choose a courier provider that offers a pick-up service. You can book PACK & SEND’s pick-up service by phone, email, or at the local service centre.
How do I send a package by courier?
You can send a package by courier by booking a delivery service at a courier facility, on the phone, by email, or online. If you want to send a courier to Australia, you can call 1300 668 000 or book a courier service online. You can also directly take your package to a courier facility to send it for delivery.