Carrier Vs. Courier

Explanation

Understanding the Difference

When it comes to shipping, you have a choice between carrier services and courier services. While both terms refer to services that transport items from one location to another, there are fundamental differences between them. Understanding these distinctions can help you make informed decisions about which shipping option best suits your needs.

Carriers handle large quantities of product through their LTL or FTL services. Carrier services are tailored to handle pallet and skid loads and are loaded via loading dock or with a pallet jack/forklift. While it can be extremely cost-efficient, delivery time is often greater.

Courier services specialize in delivering smaller shipments. Handling anywhere between 1 and 15 boxes, courier services usually offer door-to-door shipping services for your product. Although offering reliable and extremely fast delivery, courier services often require a larger budget and carry restrictive size limitations.

Which One Is Best For Your Business?

Often the choice between carrier and courier will be determined by what you are shipping. There are many trusted companies within both spaces of the logistics industry and working with a 3PL like Complete Shipping Solutions can help you navigate your options. For most shipments, SMARTT Shipping will easily generate the appropriate carrier and courier options for you based on the dimensions you have input into the platform.

For the services that may not be as straightforward, our team will manually gather the best full truckload, less-than-truckload, or courier services available and subsequently present you with the best choice. Regardless of the service your business requires, whether it be International, domestic, or direct-to-door shipping, Complete Shipping Solutions can provide the logistics solution for your shipping needs.

Our great rates, incredible customer service, and dedication to customer satisfaction make us the no-brainer choice for easy, fast, and affordable shipping nationwide. For years, Complete Shipping Solutions has been working closely with small to mid-sized businesses to handle their courier and carrier needs so they can focus on continuing to grow their business.