Courier and delivery services: what to know

What the job involves, what changes the price, and what to ask a pro.

What courier and delivery services is

Courier and delivery services pick up a package, document or item from one address and deliver it directly to another, often the same day. The courier confirms the hand-off with the recipient, so you know when and to whom the item was delivered.

Signs you need it

  • You need a document or package at another office or home within hours, not days
  • A legal, medical or business document must be delivered with a confirmed hand-off
  • You are sending a fragile or valuable item and do not want it sent through a regular postal route
  • You have a time-sensitive item, such as a part or a key, that must reach a job site on schedule
  • You need an item moved between two addresses that are not on a regular route

What the pro does

  • Confirm the pickup and delivery addresses, the item details and the time window with you
  • Check the item for size, weight and fragility, and note any special handling needed
  • Collect the item from the pickup point and get a signature or a record of the pickup
  • Transport the item by the most direct route available, keeping it secure in transit
  • Deliver to the named recipient and get a confirmed hand-off with a signature, photo or name
  • Send you proof of delivery with the time and the name of the person who received the item

What changes the price

Every job is different, so we do not publish prices. These are the things that move the quote up or down.

  • Distance between the pickup and the delivery address
  • Urgency, such as a same-hour or same-day delivery versus a scheduled window
  • Size, weight and value of the item and any special handling it needs
  • Whether a signature, photo or ID check is required at delivery
  • Whether the courier must wait at either address or make more than one stop
  • Time of day and access at either address, such as a gate code or a building entrance

What a written quote should spell out

  • The pickup and delivery addresses and the time window for each
  • The item size and weight class, and whether special handling is included
  • The type of hand-off required, such as a signature, photo or named recipient
  • The proof of delivery provided and how it is sent to you
  • The liability coverage for the item and the claim process

Questions to ask before you hire

  • What is the hand-off requirement, and how do you confirm it
  • Will you send proof of delivery with the time and the recipient's name
  • What is your liability coverage for the item, and how do I claim if it is lost
  • Can you carry a fragile or valuable item, and how do you secure it
  • How long will the pickup take if I am not ready when the courier arrives
  • Do you track the item during transit, and how do I get an update

Red flags

  • A courier who will not confirm the recipient or the hand-off method before pickup
  • No liability coverage stated for a valuable or fragile item
  • A courier who leaves the item with someone who is not the named recipient
  • A quote that changes sharply on pickup with no explanation of the reason

What you can do yourself

You can package a document or a small item securely, label it clearly and make sure the recipient is expecting it. Call a courier for anything time-sensitive, valuable or that needs a confirmed hand-off, since a courier can record the pickup and delivery for you.

Licenses and permits

Courier and delivery services are not commonly licensed. Check with your state or local licensing agency for business registration that applies to a courier company, and check any rules that apply to the vehicles and the transport of certain goods.

Courier and delivery services questions

Can a courier deliver a legal document?

For ordinary delivery, yes, if the courier provides a confirmed hand-off and proof of delivery. Ask for the signature or ID check the document requires. If the paper must be formally served under court rules, that is process service, which has its own rules, so ask the court or an attorney first.

What if the recipient is not home?

Ask the courier what their process is. Some leave a note and return, some hold the item at a depot, and some return it to the sender. Agree on the plan before pickup.

Can I send a valuable item by courier?

Yes, with the right liability coverage. Ask how much the courier will cover, and consider insurance beyond the basic cover if the item is valuable.

About this guide

This national guide is written and checked by infinibell. Rules and conditions differ by place, so local pros are credited on guides for the cities they serve, not on national ones.

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