March 9, 2010
What is a Courier Service?
A courier service is an organized business that provides a unique delivery experience of packages and documents that range in size from an envelope and multiple skids. A courier service is typically much faster delivery time than other methods typically provided by companies such as DHL, FedEx and UPS. The courier service industry is a fairly robust industry in the Western world with over 11,000 courier businesses in United States of America. Courier service industry is one of the oldest industries which has been around since the need to deliver messages over great lengths. In today’s world of international business, a courier service is a pivotal to we used in everyday business. Services such as the fax machine enough of simply complemented the great need of delivery or physical products.
Courier service industry in the United States is a $59 billion industry and the largest player being United Parcel Service delivers more than 1 million packages globally each day. The average courier company in the United States does approximately $2.5 million a year in volume. The courier service industry in the United States is a very fragmented industry that has failed consolidation of several attempts. There are little barriers to entry into this business with very little government intervention compared to other regulated industries.
Most courier companies in the Western world use independent contractors move packages. It is estimated that up to 80% of businesses in the United States use independent contractors were delivered. These independent contractors utilize their own vehicle to make a direct route of delivery and get paid a percentage of the revenue. They are typically responsible for all their own expenses and essentially an independent contractor is running their own business.
Companies that use a courier service range from attorneys two major parts manufacturers. Consumers are beginning to utilize courier services deliveries and white glove delivery is from retailers and e-commerce stores. Courier service industry can move practically any package across the country in the same day and many couriers are beginning to offer national retail distribution. This industry can also deliver and set up furniture, goods, electronics and other products through a service called white glove delivery.
By utilizing multiple couriers and other cities, integration of technology, and existing infrastructures such as the commercial airline industry, a national network has been created compete with the overnight carriers and offer same-day delivery in the United States.
With the increasing demand of consumers, courier service industry is poised to join the retail and e-commerce industries. Online retailers like Amazon, offering their local express delivery service, have begun to provide same day delivery to their customers.
With increasing technology, courier service business and provide electronic tracking via GPS with electronic signature capture from the point of pickup through the point of delivery from any point in the country. This means that customers and track their packages and real-time and receive real-time delivery and pickup notifications. By utilizing existing wireless technology, existing commercial infrastructures such as the commercial Airlines, and existing courier businesses with independent contractors, this industry and deliver the same quality of service is the major players with their own network.
Filed under Courier and Messenger, E-Commerce Shipping, Independent Contractors, Logistics by monte

Comments on What is a Courier Service? »
I think courier service is one good business to start with. People often work among themselves and they just connect with other people or markets online and the delivery of products is their meeting. I guess it would help if small businesses particularly those starting yet should have one good small business lawyer Denver, Colorado has for example.There’s this one bright lawyer in Denver for contracts that I know of who brought a small business, back here in Denver, to its full potential.
To add just some insights:
Courier service is important also in government operations.In federal types of government where devolution and decentralization serve as an agent by which the national government can stretch its services to the states, courier services have a great part in service delivery. Especially in times of disasters where countryside is the more prone area than in the urban, couriers help a lot in delivering the needed service to those far places. Couriers shouldn’t and must not be efficient for business operations alone but in government activities as well. Like the trusted mississippi courierwhich has started small but grew into a big corporation because of its good reputation on efficiency.
Very nice and clear definition for courier service.
For this competitive industry, lower the costs (e.g. fuel) and using advance IT technology and effective communication is the key for success.
courier services are duties rendered by privatly owned courier companies to provide reliable and efficient means of conveying documents within and between cities and towns. There services include fast and reliable delivery of letters documents and parcels.