Shipping vs Delivery: What's the Difference
Many have a limited understanding of the difference between shipping and delivery and may use the two terms interchangeably, yet the two are different processes. You need to know the distinction in order to keep track of your orders by choosing NREX and set realistic expectations when purchasing or selling online.
What is the meaning of shipping?
If the retailer states that your order has shipped the goods have left its warehouse or fulfilment centre and are now in the courier network. Order processing has been completed, the parcel has been packed, labelled and handed over for transport.
Shipping involves the entire process of a parcel being transported from its sender to its destination hub. This comprises postage, sorting and distribution between distribution centres. If you ever asked yourself what does shipped mean? in a tracking update, it is when the item is actually being moved in the delivery system; that is, it is not sitting in a warehouse.
What Is Delivery?
On the other hand, delivery is the last leg of the journey; the section that starts at the local “depot” and ends at the recipient's door. So, what does the word "delivery" really mean? The final leg of the shipping process, when the driver physically delivers the parcel to your delivery address.
Shipping includes the entire shipping process and delivery is when that process is finished. A parcel may be "shipped" for several days prior to the delivery stage.
Inside the shipping process that businesses use in the UK.
In the UK, the shipping process that's followed by retailers involves several steps:
Order processing – retailer confirms and prepares the order.
Dispatch – parcel is passed on to courier service.
Sorting – the parcel is sorted from one hub to another
Out for delivery – the parcel goes to the local depot and is loaded for final delivery
Delivered – package reaches the delivery address
Typically, these updates will be seen in your tracking number as each stage will be completed, so you can follow your parcel from dispatch to doorstep.
Shipping Time vs Transit Time:What is the difference?
These two terms are often confused. Typically shipping time is the total length of time required to process the order and deliver it. Only the true physical or transit time is considered when discussing transit time, however, and not any time spent in a warehouse or processing facility.
With the knowledge comes the ability to decipher an estimation date better. When a retailer promises a 3-5 day shipping window, they include processing time in the window, but transit time only could be 1-2 days once the product is in transit.
Why Delivery Date Estimates Can Vary
Your delivery date is usually a best estimate because of average transit times for a given route/service level. Some things which might influence this are:
The distance between the sender and the receiver
The capacity and demand for courier services.
Weather or logistical disruptions.
Whether the delivery address is residential or rural
That is why sometimes two parcels that are sent at the same time may turn up at different times.
When shipping, what does expedited mean?
If you have noticed expedited shipping at the checkout, you may have questions about what exactly expedited means when it comes to shipping. Expedited simply means faster than standard delivery, which could be accomplished by using faster methods of travel or dedicated expedited couriers, rather than batch processing.
Expedited options typically cost more to ship, but the processing and shipping times are also shorter, thus delivering the product to the customer in a shorter amount of time.
How Tracking Fits Into Shipping and Delivery
Tracking is a crucial part of shipping and delivery.Tracking is an indispensable component of shipping and delivery.
Parcel tracking unites shipping and delivery allowing you to get a hold of where your parcel is at any given moment. Each item sent by courier is generally given a tracking number that can be used to keep track of the item from when it is sent to the time it arrives at the destination.
This transparency is now a given – customers need to be informed not only that their parcel has been dispatched but also its current location in the shipping process.
Shipping Cost vs Delivery Service Considerations
The shipping service you choose may influence your shipping cost, there are different prices for the standard, next-day and expedited shipping options. In general, the faster the delivery service, the higher the price will be as the handling is prioritised and a dedicated transport is given.
This correlation will enable you to select the most suitable solution depending on your urgency to get your parcel to you.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between shipping and delivery?
Not exactly. Shipping means everything from when the parcel is sent to when it arrives, delivery is the part from the local depot to the recipient's address.
How long does it take for my order to arrive?
It signifies that your order is now in the courier system and has left the sender's premises. It's now in transit, but hasn't necessarily reached the delivery stage yet.
What is the difference between the shipping time quoted and the estimated date for delivery?
Although delivery dates are typically estimated to include processing time, they often can also include shipping time, resulting in a mix-up between the two. Shipping time estimates may only include shipping and not processing time.
What is meant by expedited shipping, and does it really make sense to pay more for it?
Expedited shipping ensures your parcel is given priority in shipping and processing. If you have to have something delivered quickly, it is a worthwhile added expense.
May I follow my parcel during the shipping and delivery process?
Yes. The majority of couriers offer a tracking number that allows you to track your package from the time it is sent, to the time it is delivered.