As an online seller, you know customers want their orders delivered as quickly as possible. India’s courier industry has grown significantly in recent years, with several companies offering fast and efficient delivery services. Reliable and fast courier services help meet these expectations and provide a competitive edge in the eCommerce industry. But when onboarding a courier partner, numerous factors must be highlighted from when a product leaves a warehouse until it is placed in the customer’s hands. All these factors are critical for a successful expedited delivery.
Because NimbusPost works closely with nearly all the courier companies in India, we know these courier partners’ plus and minus points. Therefore, we came up with a list of the fastest courier services in India, but first, let’s see what factors to consider before choosing a courier service.
Factors to Consider When Choosing a Courier Service
Speed and Delivery Time
As an online seller, your customers expect their products to be delivered quickly and efficiently. A fast courier service can ensure that your packages are delivered to your customers within a short period. You should choose a courier service provider with a good track record of delivering packages on time. You can check their average delivery time and delivery success rate to ensure they meet your requirements. Some courier service providers offer same-day delivery and express delivery services for urgent shipments.
RTO
RTO, or Return to Origin, is crucial to consider when selecting a courier service. RTO is the process of returning undelivered packages to the sender. It can occur due to various reasons, such as an incorrect address, unavailability of the recipient, or refusal of the package. Therefore, you should choose a courier service with a well-defined RTO process to avoid delays in returning undelivered packages. In addition, ensure that the RTO charges are reasonable and the courier company provides updates on the package status during the RTO process.
Cost and Pricing
It’s crucial to choose a courier service that provides value for money. You should compare the pricing of different courier service providers to get the best deal. Some courier companies may have hidden charges, so it’s essential to read the terms and conditions carefully before signing up for their service. You should also check if the courier company offers any discounts.
Insurance and Security
Choosing a courier service that provides insurance coverage for your packages is critical. The courier company should also have secure packaging and transportation methods to ensure your packages are not damaged or stolen during transit. You should also check the courier company’s policy on lost or damaged packages and their compensation rates.
Customer service
You should choose a courier service that provides excellent customer service. The courier company should have a responsive customer service team that can handle any issues or concerns you or your customers may have. You should also check if the courier company provides real-time tracking and updates on the status of your packages.
Hidden charges
Hidden charges are additional fees that courier companies may add to the final invoice, which may not be mentioned during the initial quotation. These charges may include fuel surcharges, pickup charges, and other miscellaneous fees. It’s important to read the terms and conditions carefully and ask the courier company about additional charges before signing up for their service. You should choose a courier service that provides transparent pricing with no hidden charges to avoid surprises later.
Top 10 Fastest Courier Services in India
NimbusPost
Founded in 2018 by a team of logistics and eCommerce experts, NimbusPost offers a range of features that make shipping and logistics a style=” color: #2ea3f2;” streamlined process. One of the standout features of NimbusPost is its lightning-fast speed and delivery time. With partnerships with leading carriers like Delhivery, FedEx, and Blue Dart, NimbusPost can guarantee quick and effective distribution to over 29,000 pin codes within India via 27+ courier options. Plus, with AI logistics fraud detection, you can trust that your shipments will arrive safely and securely.
You’ll be pleased to know that NimbusPost offers some of the most affordable shipping rates in India, making it a cost-effective option for eCommerce businesses of all sizes. And with a free trial period for new users to try out its services and features, you can experience the benefits of NimbusPost for yourself before committing to a plan.
Delhivery
Delhivery is one of India’s top courier companies that offer end-to-end fulfillment solutions to businesses. It is known for its efficient operations model, which combines world-class infrastructure, cutting-edge engineering and technology capabilities, and high-quality logistics operations. Since its establishment in 2011, Delhivery has fulfilled over a billion orders across India, making it one of the country’s largest and most popular courier companies. It serves over 17,000 pin codes and 175 cities, offering customers same-day and next-day delivery options.
Delhivery is homegrown and provides multiple payment options at the time of delivery, making it a favorite among Indian eCommerce businesses. Delhivery’s focus lies in providing various options for express delivery. In addition, the company’s API integration makes it easy for businesses to automate shipping label generation, manage shipping exceptions, and display accurate estimated delivery dates (EDDs).
Also Read: Delhivery vs XpressBees
Blue Dart
Blue Dart has been in the business for almost four decades and has built up an impressive network that covers over 35,000 pin codes in India and 220+ countries globally. They offer various services to suit your needs, from express and time-based/slot-based delivery to automated proof-of-delivery and waterproof packaging for your orders. And if you’re an eCommerce business, the Blue Dart Tracking API is a great tool to stay on top of your shipments with real-time order tracking.
While their charges may seem higher than other competitors, Blue Dart’s service record and existing pan-India network make them well worth the investment. Plus, they’ve been DHL’s official partner since 2002, so you can trust that they have the experience and expertise to handle any shipping and logistics challenge.
Also Read: Bluedart vs DTDC
Ecom Express
Despite being a newcomer to the eCommerce courier service market, Ecom Express has quickly gained popularity and is now one of the top courier services for eCommerce businesses in India. One thing that sets Ecom Express apart from its competitors is its focus on security and monitoring during storage and transit. This makes it an ideal choice for eCommerce businesses that handle high-value goods like jewelry.
Ecom Express covers over 27,000 pin codes and 2600 cities across India, providing additional services such as express delivery and doorstep quality checks for returned items. Moreover, it guarantees that deliveries will be completed within 72 hours, making it an efficient and reliable courier service.
GATI
With a focus on optimizing distribution for retailers and online businesses, GATI has delivered over 19,000 pin codes across India since 1989. In addition, GATI’s extensive reach extends to 735 out of the 739 different districts within India, providing businesses with better reach and growth opportunities. As a result, it’s no surprise that GATI is a must-have on the list of top courier services in India.
Also Read: Gati KWE Courier Tracking
DTDC
DTDC is one of India’s most well-known and reliable eCommerce courier service providers. It has been in the courier service business for over three decades, making it one of the oldest courier companies in the country. With a vast network of over 10,000 pin codes across India, DTDC has earned a reputation for its seamless pick-up and delivery process, thanks to its state-of-the-art Management Information System (MIS). This MIS system ensures that bulk parcels are tracked efficiently from pick-up to delivery.
While DTDC may not be the cheapest option for small businesses due to its focus on core offerings, it offers a wide range of inter-state and intra-city delivery options that can help maximize your fulfillment process. In terms of speed and delivery time, DTDC offers a reliable and efficient service, ensuring that deliveries are made on time and with minimal hassle. Its express delivery option is particularly useful for time-sensitive shipments.
FedEx
This eCommerce courier service provider has been around since 1973 and has built a reputation for excellent shipping services that cater to online businesses. In India, FedEx is a top-rated courier service for eCommerce businesses, as it can handle a wide range of products, including heavyweight, fragile, and high-value products. In addition, the FedEx Shipping API connects online stores to FedEx Ground, FedEx Freight, and FedEx Express, making shipping international and domestic orders easier.
With nationwide and worldwide shipping services, FedEx offers door-to-door pick-up and delivery, flexible delivery options, and real-time monitoring of packages. What sets FedEx apart is its commitment to excellence in customer service. Clients can easily change the location of their shipments, even when out for delivery, thus improving their customer experiences with your business. In addition, with FedEx’s API documentation, managing returns, creating shipping labels, and tracking the performance becomes easier than ever.
DHL
DHL, also known as Dalsey, Hillblom, and Lynn, is a prominent international eCommerce courier services provider in India. With over 50 years of experience, DHL’s globally managed and well-connected distribution center network spans 220+ countries, making it an excellent logistics partner for eCommerce businesses.
DHL is committed to reducing wastage and decreasing the environmental footprint in the delivery process. It covers over 26,000 pin codes across India, allowing eCommerce sellers to tap into the Indian market successfully. In addition, it offers Same Day and Next Day Delivery (SDD, NDD) services for urgent packages, ensuring fast and efficient delivery.
Shipway
Shipway may be a relatively new player in the eCommerce courier service arena, but it has already made its mark by partnering with over 30 top-tier courier companies in India. They provide an end-to-end shipping automation solution for eCommerce retailers across the country. If you’re an online retailer, you may already know that shipping can be tedious and time-consuming. Shipway allows you to automate your shipping process and provides a seamless shipping experience to your customers. The platform is user-friendly, easy to integrate, and will ensure you can focus on other aspects of your business while Shipway takes care of shipping.
XpressBees
XpressBees is a reliable and affordable courier service provider in India specializing in quickly delivering parcels. They offer end-to-end fulfillment solutions to eCommerce vendors, including same-day and next-day courier services and reverse logistics for returns. With over 13000+ pin codes, 100+ hubs, and service centers, XpressBees can cater to the needs of a wide range of sellers.
XpressBees is a trusted courier service provider in the B2B, B2C, and cross-border logistics sectors. Their vast network covers more than 20,000+ pin codes across India, making them an ideal choice for businesses looking for a reliable and cost-effective courier service.
Conclusion
So, these are some of the country’s fastest and most cost-efficient courier companies that can help you go pan-India. As NimbusPost is a logistics aggregator, we’ve partnered with these courier companies to help you choose the best option. Sign-up with us to find the best logistics company at the best price.
FAQs
Which is faster, DTDC or Blue Dart?
Blue Dart is faster than DTDC. Blue Dart is known for its premium and time-definite services, generally considered faster and more reliable, albeit more expensive. DTDC, on the other hand, offers a range of cost-effective shipping options that are slightly slower but still reliable.
Can a courier be delivered in 1 day?
Yes, many courier services offer next-day or even same-day delivery options. These expedited delivery options usually come at a premium price, but they can be useful for urgent or time-sensitive shipments. It’s important to check with the courier service for their specific delivery times and options and any restrictions or limitations on the type of items that can be shipped. Additionally, the delivery time may vary depending on the origin and destination of the shipment, as well as any potential delays due to weather, traffic, or other factors outside of the courier’s control.
Is Blue Dart fast?
Yes, Blue Dart is known for being one of the fastest courier services in India. They offer a range of delivery options to suit the needs of their customers, including same-day delivery and next-day delivery. In addition, they have a vast network of over 35,000 locations across the country, making it easier for them to deliver packages quickly and efficiently.
How fast can DTDC deliver?
DTDC offers different delivery services, including Same Day, Next Day, 2nd Day, and Standard Delivery. The delivery speed of the DTDC courier service depends on several factors, such as the origin and destination of the shipment, the service chosen, the weight and size of the package, and any additional services requested.
