Home > Freight Glossary > Parcel Shipping

Parcel shipping refers to the transportation of small to medium-sized packages across towns, cities, or countries, typically handled by postal services or courier companies. This service is essential for businesses and individuals needing to send items ranging from small individual packages to larger parcels, ensuring cost savings, efficient residential delivery, and reliable tracking.

How does a parcel delivery works?

  • Parcel preparation

    Effective parcel preparation involves ensuring the item is securely packaged, correctly labeled, and ready for transit. This step often includes choosing the right packaging material, securing the contents with proper cushioning, and clearly marking the package with the recipient's information.

  • Parcel collection

    Collection entails the parcel being picked up from a sender's location or dropped off at a courier's facility. This phase is crucial for initiating the delivery process, whether it’s a small individual package or a large parcel delivery.

  • Transportation

    The transportation stage involves the movement of the parcel through the courier's network, which can include ground transport, air freight, or international parcel service, depending on the destination. Efficient routing and handling are essential to ensure timely and secure transit of the parcel.

  • Delivery

    The final stage is the delivery of the parcel to the recipient's address. This includes residential delivery, where couriers often provide tracking options and delivery confirmations, ensuring the parcel reaches its intended destination safely.

Cheapest way to ship large packages

To achieve cost savings in shipping large packages, consider options like consolidation services, choosing economy shipping rates, or leveraging discount offers from couriers. Compare different couriers to find the best rates for large parcel delivery, and utilize online platforms that offer competitive prices and discounts for cheap parcel delivery.

Benefits of parcel shipping

Parcel shipping offers numerous advantages, such as convenience, speed, and flexibility, making it ideal for businesses and individuals alike. It provides a reliable solution for sending small individual packages to large parcels, with benefits including tracking services, various delivery options, and enhanced security, ensuring that items are delivered efficiently and safely.

What’s the difference between a parcel and a package?

While often used interchangeably, the terms "parcel" and "package" can signify slight differences. A "package" generally refers to the physical wrapping or boxing in which products are contained, whereas a "parcel" implies a package that is sent or delivered through postal or courier services. The distinction often lies in the context of the service, with "parcel" particularly used when referring to the delivery aspect of the shipped items.