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Introduction

The rapid changes in technology have elevated the mode of shopping over the recent years. Many of us prefer online shopping as we get endless options that are not possible in physical shops. E-commerce platforms provide fast shipping of goods. In some cases, the customers are also offered same-day delivery.

Statistics reveal that the E-commerce market in India is going to reach USD 200 billion by 2027. Additionally, the pandemic has boosted online shopping to a great extent, which has led to the growth of the shipping and delivery service sector. Goods are not only delivered within India but across the border. E-commerce platforms do not only require reliable and affordable courier services, but the general public also needs them to send parcels to different places within or outside India. In India, many courier service companies operate internationally. This article will give you insight into India’s various international courier services (India to Germany courier services, India to France courier services ).

What is the International Courier Service?

An international Courier company ships goods to customers in foreign countries. It is not an easy task. The international courier company should be familiar with the rules and regulations of the destination country so that any kind of legal or other complications can be avoided.

Factors to consider before choosing the cheapest International courier service

With so many international courier service providers available, businesses have to consider certain factors for choosing the cheapest and best courier service for shipping and delivery of goods. Following are the factors that an ecommerce company should consider for choosing the most suitable courier service provider.

Reach: While selecting a courier service company, you have to consider the Company’s reach, both domestic and international. A reliable courier company offers an array of services that helps their clients to deliver their products safely and quickly to a particular destination, within as well as outside the country. A reliable international courier service provider has extensive networks of agents to deliver the products within the least time.

Cost: For international shipment and deliveries, courier charges are high. When choosing an international courier company for your business, you have to consider the cost of shipment and delivery. You cannot choose a courier service that will leave you with no profit margin. You have to look for a company that is cost-effective and does not compromise the quality.

Shipping Time: While selecting the courier service for domestic as well as the international shipping, it is important to consider the shipping time the Company will take. Fast and safe delivery is a must for any courier service. Many international courier companies offer expedited international services, so check out the companies that give you the best service options at the most considerable rates.

Reliability: For any e-commerce business, the reliability of the international courier service the Company is using is extremely critical. A delay will result in customer dissatisfaction, which will negatively impact the business. You have to go through the reviews of previous customers, or you can get recommendations from others who have already availed of the services from these courier services. You cannot choose a courier service as your delivery partner is not reliable, so you need to be careful while making your delivery partner’s choice.

Additional services: An international courier company offers services more than just transportation of goods. They offer doorstep delivery, specialized handling of certain orders, fast COD (Cash of Delivery) reconciliation, and other services. You have to check out the additional services a courier company will give within the charge they are taking and accordingly select the most cost-effective courier company without compromising the service quality.

Support: You have to choose a courier company that has an exceptional support system when it comes to delivering internationally. A well-trained and properly equipped customer care team should be there to handle customer queries. An international courier company with the right kind of support system can help the businesses gauge the satisfaction level of their customers and improve the post-purchase experience for customers.

Types of delivery services: International courier companies offer different types of services. You have to check out the services that your business would need, and thus you can select the courier partner of your business. Generally, courier services offer Express and Economy delivery services. But businesses may need delivery services, such as overnight delivery, same-day delivery, scheduled delivery, demand delivery, etc. So, you can check with the courier service provider to know about the types of delivery services offered.

Safety and Insurance: Businesses must deliver the goods to their customers quickly. At the same time, the goods must reach the customers safely. Unwanted accidents or damages may happen during the shipment or delivery, and that is why a good shipping insurance policy is needed. Goods may get lost or damaged during shipment, in transit, or sorting at distribution stores. You should partner with an international courier service that offers shipping insurance so that in case of damage or loss, the financial burden is not only shouldered by the e-commerce company.

Order Tracking: Nowadays, customers look for consistent communication and transparency from businesses. To meet the customers’ expectations, businesses must provide real-time order tracking systems to their customers. This will help the customers to remain up-to-date about their orders, and hence they will be satisfied with the services provided by the businesses. A satisfied customer means creating leads for future sales which will ultimately lead to business growth.

Managing Returns: Returns are part of e-commerce businesses. Even if the businesses give attention to the minute details and do careful planning, customers return goods for various reasons. The role of the courier company does not end with the shipping of the goods only. There must be a proper system to manage the returned goods. The international courier company should have the proper system in place so that customers can return their goods fast and easily.

Why International courier services are needed

After going through the information provided in the article, you might wonder whether an international courier service is needed for your e-commerce business. Even before you consider factors for selecting the most reliable and cost-effective international courier service provider, you should know the reasons for choosing an international courier service. Choosing an international courier service for shipping and delivery of goods requires a significant amount of investment. At the end of the day, businesses should get back the best ROI for the investment they are making in their courier Services. As the business trajectory goes upward, the Company can reap a number of benefits from the investment made in an international courier service provider.

Expansion of customer base

The most important benefit any e-commerce company gets from choosing an international courier service provider as a delivery partner has a bigger customer base. The Company can reach customers outside the national boundary with a reliable international courier service.

Become a global brand

Which business owner does not want to become a global brand? By choosing the right international courier service, a company will be able to set foot in the international market. By expanding the business across different countries, a company will be able to reach more customers. Thus it will get a chance to create its brand identity across the globe.

Exposure to new market trends

By selecting a reliable international courier service provider, a company will get exposure to the new market trends which will ultimately help in business growth. By providing product delivery services to different countries across the globe, a company will get accustomed to the cultures and people of various nations. These experiences help a business anticipate the needs of customers better and remain ahead of the competitors.

Increased seasonal sales

By having a renowned international courier service provider as a delivery partner, a company can run its business throughout the year. A slow season in the country of origin may be a peak season for doing business in another country. For example, in India, the sales slow down after Diwali, but in western countries, it could be the peak season due to Christmas and Thanksgiving.

The Top International Courier Services Companies in India

Now you know why it is important for e-commerce businesses to select the right international courier service company and the benefits of selecting them. You need to know about various courier companies in India. In India, more than 150 courier companies operate. Not all companies offer international courier services. The list of top 10 international couriers Services Companies in India is provided below.

1. Fly Express International Courier & Cargo Services

Fly Express International Courier & Cargo Services is a very reputed courier services provider in   India. They provide the best logistics solutions from all corners of India to almost everywhere in the world. They deliver the parcels, regular documents as well as many other stuff like medicines, excess luggage, food products, express baggage, industrial products, household items etc. to a large number of countries like UK, USA, Australia, Singapore, Germany, Canada, France, Dubai etc. Their team picks up the parcels from anywhere in the world and deliver to any destination around the world successfully within the promised timeline. They offer online courier consignment tracking facility to their clients which make them one of the preferred courier services.

Services offered

• Delivery of the ultimate delicate items to international destinations
• Heavy deliveries
• Packaging services

Highlights

• You will be intimated the estimate for the courier service upfront and this quotation is provided without any cost after knowing the details of your consignment.
• They always deliver on time.
• They offer the most pocket-friendly cost quotations.
• They offer the most relevant and dependable courier services for your business.
• They offer the facility of tracking your courier during the transit.

2. FedEx

FedEx was founded in 1971 by Frederick W. Smith. The Company is headquartered at Memphis, Tennessee, US. The Company offers services to more than 19,000 pin codes within India. FedEx also serves in more than 220 countries across the globe. FedEx offers different shipping options such as FedEx Flat Rate, FedEx Surface Shipping, and FedEx International. For FedEx International, the customers can choose from FedEx International Economy, FedEx International Priority, and FedEx International First, depending upon the order volume, location, and other parameters. FedEx is in the 3rd position out of popular shipping companies in India. FedEx takes special care to handle the shipping of delicate and fragile items.

Services offered

• Proactive monitoring
• Special packaging
• Real-time tracking
• Customized shipping solutions
• Climate-controlled shipping for perishable and temperature-sensitive items
• Ships medicines and health care items safely
• Specialized in handling dangerous goods

Highlights

• COD (Cash on Delivery)
• Email and SMS tracking
• Pickup facilities from multiple locations

Pros

• Insurance coverage on packages
• Offers weekend deliveries

Cons

• Effective December 5th, 2021, domestic shipping services in India are unavailable.

3. Blue Dart

Founded in the year 1983by Tushar Jani, Khusroo Dubash, and Clyde Cooper, Blue Dart International courier service is headquartered in Mumbai. The services offered by the Company are delivery, third party logistics, express mail, freight forwarding, overnight shipping, and same-day delivery. Blue Dart provides services to more than 35, 000 pin codes in India. It also provides services to more than 220 countries worldwide. Over the years, Blue Dart has gained popularity as a reliable and value-based international courier service company. Since 2002, Blue Dart has been the official partner of DHL. BlueDart is a leading air service provider in India, and DHL is a leading air service provider in the world. Since 2015, Blue Dart Company has been giving 24×7 locker services to keep the e-commerce packages that could not be delivered due to various issues. If a person is not available to receive the parcel, the person may contact the Company and can come and pick up the parcel from the locker room facility. The person can collect the package at his/her convenient time. Other initiatives taken by Blue Dart are E-Shipping and E-Vision Tools that ensure global connectivity. The E-Fulfilment solution of Blue Dart offers easy return management and continuous integration with the customer’s platform.

Highlights

• COD available
• Late pickups and early deliveries are available
• Rush delivery available

Pros

• Guaranteed on-time delivery
• Delivery time can be scheduled
• Account creation is hassle-free

Cons

• Expensive compared to other courier services 

4. Delhivery                                                                    

Founded in 2011 by Mohit Tandon, Sahil Barua, Kapil Bharati, Bhavesh Manglani, and Suraj Saharan, Delhivery courier Service Company has become a trusted name in India for domestic and international shipping and delivery services. The Company is headquartered in Gurugram, Haryana. The services offered by Delhivery are Freight Forwarding, Express Parcel Delivery, supply chain management, cross-border services, digital services, etc. Delhivery has self-owned pickup and fully-integrated services. It is the largest express parcel transportation service provider in India. In India, Delhivery offers services to more than 17,000 pin codes. Delhivery has become a trusted and favourite courier company for e-commerce businesses owing to its reliable and quick domestic and international delivery services. Delhivery offers international courier services through sea and air at the most competitive charges.

Highlights

• Real-time tracking
• Easy returns
• Both way shipments
• WhatsApp support
• Real-time tracking system
• Next day shipping

Pros

• On-demand logistics
• Same-day delivery is also available
• Flexible payment opinion

5. DTDC

Founded in 1990 by Debasish Chakraborty and Subhasish Chakraborty, DTDC is an India-based courier company headquartered in Bengaluru. One of the most popular courier companies in India, DTDC manages more than 12 million shipments every month. With their strategically designed offices and distribution facilities, DTDC has spread its operation in more than 240 countries, including many SAARC countries and some parts of China. DTDC offers International COD and Express International Courier Services. The other services offered by DTDC are third party logistics, Express mail, packaging materials, doorstep delivery, Bulk shipments, and pallet box. DTDC has partnered with many global shipments and delivery companies to ensure packages’ timely and safe delivery. DTDC offers a Corporate Tracker facility for those online businesses that deliver a huge number of shipments daily. The businesses can track the shipment status from the DTDC customer portal.

Highlights

• Corporate tracker
• E-notify
• Web shipping
• E-invoice
• Bulk tracker

Pros

• Door to door delivery for individuals and businesses
• Schedule drop-offs

Cons

• Expensive

6. Ecom Express

Founded in 2012, Ecom Express is a courier service company based in India. The Company was founded by Manju Dhawan, T.A. Krishnan, Sanjeev Saxena, and K. Satyanarayana. The Company headquarter is in Gurugram, Haryana. Ecom Express is ranked among one of the most trusted courier service companies in India. It offers services to more than 27,000 pin codes across India. The Company has a fully integrated system to offer an international courier tracking system.

Along with doorstep delivery services, Ecom Express helps the clients with custom clearance. Ecom Express is a trusted shipping and delivery partner for the leading E-commerce platforms, such as Flipkart, Amazon, Zara, Zivame, Nykaa, Titan, etc. The services offered by the Company are Ground Services, Express Services, 3PL logistics, reverse logistics, and cargo handling. The Company started its international venture in 2021 by investing in Paperfly, the 3PL(third-party logistics) firm in Bangladesh.

Highlights

• COD option available
• Facilitates parcel tracking

Pros

• Pickup facility
• Value-added service
• Try and buy facility

7. DHL

Founded in 1969 by Adrian Dalsey, Larry Hillblom and Robert Lynn, DHL is one of the most popular courier service companies in India. The Company operates in more than 220 countries worldwide. Businesses get benefits like access to shipping tools, preferential rates, additional payment options, etc., when they choose DHL as their shipping partner. The Company has more than 50 years of experience in door-to-door courier service. DHL e-commerce offers world-class parcel delivery for its clients. The clients need not worry about the pickup, delivery, and return of packages once they choose DHL. Customers get updates about their shipments through email or SMS. DHL offers courier services worldwide using sea, air, and rail. Many clients also prefer it for its environment-friendly courier services. The services offered by DHL are courier, parcel delivery, freight forwarding, logistics, supply-chain management, contract logistics, and fulfilment centre.

Highlights

• Warehousing solutions
• Customized logistics services
• Worldwide mail deliveries
• International express deliveries

Pros

• Package tracking
• 24×7 international support
• Partners with major e-commerce platforms
• Offers refunds in case there is a service failure on the Company’s part
• Targets zero-emission logistics services by 2050

8. India Post

Founded in 1854, India Post is not only a trusted and cheapest way to send parcels and mail, but it is also the cheapest mode for international deliveries. The Government of India founded India Post. India Post is the cheapest mode to deliver parcels to different cities, towns, and villages in India. India Post offers international courier services to more than 200 countries. The services of India Post Courier Services include postal service, mail delivery, e-commerce, expedited shipping, international air parcels, and track and trace.

Highlights

• Efficient return management
• Offers COD facilities
• Book now and pay later

Pros

• Strong network
• Cheaper price

Cons

• No deliveries on Sundays

9. Shiprocket

Shiprocket is one of the leading courier service companies in India. It offers services in more than 220 countries across the world. Shiprocket has partnered with renowned global courier companies, such as FedEx, Aramex, etc. The tie-up with international courier companies helps the clients in getting services at reasonable rates. Clients also get many services, such as multiple pickup locations, and integration with global e-commerce platforms like eBay, Amazon UK, Amazon US, and others. More than 1 lakh brands trust Shiprocket to handle their shipment and deliveries. The Company handles more than 2 lakhs shipments every day across 200 countries and in 27,000 pin codes in India. Trusted by many reputable e-commerce platforms, Shiprocket has partnered with more than 17 courier service providers. The Company offers services, such as multi-pickup location, bulk order processing, and a live-rate calculator.

Highlights

• An automated return management system
• An automated NDR panel
• An automated shipment tracking system

Pros

• Tracking of order through email and SMS
• Support system through voice call, chat, and email
• Maximum insurance coverage in case of loss or damage

Cons

• Not reasonable for small businesses

10. First Flight

Another trusted courier service company in India is First Flight Couriers. It is trusted by many e-commerce platforms like Jabong, Myntra, Tata, Reliance, TVS, and others. First Flight Couriers offer reliable and fast shipping and delivery services to e-commerce customers. It offers end-to-end tracking facilities through email and SMS. The Company serves more than 4,500 pin codes in India and offers services in more than 220 countries across the world. First Flight has 10 offices worldwide. It also offers priority service named First Flight First. Other services offered are:

• Same-day delivery.
• Door-to-door time-definite delivery.
• Delivery within 48-hours for out-of-city destinations.

Highlights

Reverse logistics

Pickup request

Pros

• Cheaper
• Same-day and next-day deliveries are available

Cons

• Coverage is limited

11. Aramex 

Founded in 1982 by Fadi Ghandour and Bill Kingson, Aramex is India’s leading international courier service company. The Company headquarter is in Dubai, UAE. The services offered by the Company are Express logistics, freight forwarding, shop and ship, domestic express, and warehousing. Aramex Courier Company has been operating internationally since 1997. It operates in more than 240 countries across the globe. For e-commerce clients, Aramex

offers services like Export Value and Export Express Services. The Export Value is a time-efficient, cost-effective service, and Export Express is a speedier delivery of parcels.

Highlights

• Warehousing
• Export express with two options- value express and priority express
• Serves in more than 240 countries

Pros

• Reasonable rate
• Value-added services

12. Pickrr

Founded in 2015 by Rhitiman Majumdar, Ankit Kaushik, and Gaurav Mangla, Pickrr is one of the largest courier service providers in India. Along with serving almost every corner of India, Pickrr operates in more than 200 countries across the world. As it has partnered with different courier companies, Pickrr offers flexible shipping and delivery options at the most reasonable rates. The services offered by Pickrr are shipping and delivery, scheduled pickup, performance analytics, automated carrier selection, 3PL (third party logistics), and e-commerce Delivery.

 

Highlights

• Tie-up with international courier companies
• Flexible shipping and delivery options
• 3PL service

13. TNT India

TNT India is one of the most renowned courier service companies in India known for its express shipping service. The services offered are express shipping, customs clearance, pick up from doorstep, and others. TNT India offers personalized shipping rates to frequent customers. The Company offers delivery services to many countries across the world, including Canada, the USA, Australia, China, Germany, Italy, Singapore, and others.

Highlights

• Doorstep pickups
• Express shipping
• Personalized shipping rates to regular customers

Conclusion

Having international business expansion is a very important moment for an e-commerce company. A company achieves a milestone the moment it gets international recognition. It is a tough journey to reach customers across the borders of India. The role of a reliable courier service company is crucial for any e-commerce company looking for international business expansion. The best international Courier service will help the e-commerce company maintain its operational budget, earn a high profit, and increase the happy-customer base. Many e-commerce businesses try to expand their reach to different parts of the world, but all of them do not succeed. To jump from domestic delivery to the international delivery of goods is not an easy path. Success can be achieved through careful planning and proper budgeting. That is why businesses must choose the cheapest international courier service provider so that they do not go beyond their budget. At the same time, businesses should compare the services they are getting against the money they are investing.