Best 10+ eCommerce Courier Companies in India [Cheapest and Fastest]

1. Overview of Courier Companies in India for eCommerce

When you're starting to integrate with courier partners, what do you need to consider before selecting a shipping service provider? Orders may be placed in droves, but success can only be measured by order completion and customer satisfaction.

After an order is placed, a new logistics system switches into high gear to ensure the parcel journeys by sea, road, or air to its final destination.

Numerous factors come into play from the moment a product leaves a warehouse until it is placed in the customer's hands, like the product's safety in transit, the route being used for shipment, and the time taken for delivery. Having trustworthy and efficient courier partners that offer expedited shipping options can significantly improve the customer experience.

With the continuous evolution of the eCommerce industry over the past decade, there has been a sharp increase in the number of courier services in India that deliver customer-requested orders on time. 

Every eCommerce company wants to ensure good, hassle-free courier services to grow its business in today's competitive world. The process has become more complex with more than 100+ courier service companies in India. This is because they can claim to be the best courier company in India for eCommerce.

To resolve this problem and help the eCommerce business to finalize the best courier company or partner to fulfill their customer needs, ClickPost is here to help you in every possible manner. The list below of the best courier company has been compiled after a proper review and research process and checking all the details.

We have checked key metrics like Delivery Range & Capacity, Cargo Weight, Shipping Costs, Fast Delivery of Goods, RTO Percentage, Cash on Delivery, Courier Delivery Proof, and Security to finalize this exclusive list for eCommerce business enterprises.

2. List of Top 10+ eCommerce Courier Companies in India [2023 Updated]

In India, more than 120+ courier companies provide high-quality, cost-effective courier services solutions to both small and medium and large-scale eCommerce enterprises. ClickPost has Shipping and Courier API integrations with each one of these.

Below, you will learn about all courier service companies in detail. You need to check the most updated list below of the top courier companies in India. With this information, you can finalize the best courier partner according to your eCommerce business requirements.

2.1) Delhivery 

Delhivery started its logistics business in 2011 and has risen to the top ranks of e-commerce courier providers. Delhivery serves over 10,000+ customers across India, 75% of whom are major eCommerce businesses. This is because of the wide range of services this company offers. It is often appreciated for providing efficient reverse logistics and COD services.

However, its focal point lies in providing various options for express delivery, including on-demand delivery, same-day delivery, and next-day delivery. With the help of Delhivery API integration, businesses can automate shipping label generation, cancel orders, display accurate EDDs and manage shipping exceptions.

2.2) DTDC

DTDC (Desk to Desk Courier & Cargo) Express Limited is the Indian division of this major global logistics company. DTDC offers eCommerce businesses the option of customizing deliveries per customer preferences and services like COD, collect-on-delivery, bulk shipping, heavyweight shipping, and express delivery.

Both inter-state and intra-city delivery options are available to customer enterprises to maximize their fulfillment. These services are partly possible because of the DTDC API that provides instant access to shipping rates, estimated delivery dates, order tracking notifications, and AWB generation.

2.3) Blue Dart

Blue Dart is a global carrier engaged as a top courier service company since 1983 and is among the best courier services for online businesses. They offer multiple payment packages that bundle services together. Blue Dart has a reach of 35,000+ pin codes in India and 220+ countries globally. 

These services include COD delivery, automated proof-of-delivery on order fulfillment, weather-resistant packaging for orders, express delivery, and time-base/slot-based delivery. The Blue Dart Tracking API allows ecommerce companies to stay on top of their inbound and outbound shipments via live order tracking. It closely monitors order delays, failed deliveries, and product returns.

2.4) FedEx 

FedEx first made its name in the global logistics market before arriving in India to provide online businesses with optimum shipping solutions. It is considered one of the best couriers in India for eCommerce businesses as it is equipped to handle a highly diverse range of products, including heavyweight, fragile, and high-value products.

FedEx is a popular choice for shipping international and domestic orders because of the FedEx Shipping API that connects online stores to its flagship services, FedEx Ground, FedEx Freight, and FedEx Express. The FedEx API documentation allows easier returns management, shipping label creation, and performance reporting.

2.5) Gati

GATI is a must-have on the list of top courier services in India. GATI was started in 1989 to optimize distribution for retailers and online businesses. It currently serves 19000+ pin codes within the country, with a reach that extends to 735 out of the 739 different districts within India.

It offers eCommerce companies in Indias a wide variety of distribution options, including express delivery options, transportation mechanisms, and warehousing solutions. It also has much experience handling COD orders and allows pick-up from warehouses to be customized.

2.6) DHL

DHL (Dalsey, Hillblom, and Lynn) is another major international courier service for eCommerce in India. Covering 26000+ pin codes across the country, DHL maintains a high standard in reducing wastage and environmental footprint in the delivery process. It also offers shipping insurance on all outbound parcels. 

Its globally managed and well-connected network of distribution centers enables it to efficiently optimize supply chain solutions to improve order fulfillment within the country and across 220+ countries across the world. DHL provides Same Day and Next Day Delivery (SDD, NDD) services for urgent packages. 

2.7) Ekart Logistics

Ekart Logistics is among India's leading courier service provider companies with full-fledged supply chain and fulfillment services. Ekart Logistics started in 2009 as Flipkart's in-house logistics arm. Presently it provides first-mile and last-mile delivery services to over 3800 pin codes across India.

The Ekart Logistics API allows online businesses to connect with numerous online marketplaces and storefronts and provide several payment gateways to customers like Cash-on-Delivery (COD), UPI, wallets, net banking, etc. The Ekart tracking API enables easy transfer of order tracking information between various systems and provides real-time order status notifications to customers.

2.8) Ecom Express

Covering 27000+ pin codes across India, Ecom Express is a heavy favorite for e-commerce businesses that handle high-value goods like jewelry. It offers additional services for security and surveillance during storage and transit.

Other courier services offered by Ecom Express include express delivery, doorstep quality checks (QC) for returned items, and a 72-hour delivery guarantee. It commands 45,00000 sq. ft. of storage space scattered across 2700+ Indian cities. It provides a 'Try and Buy' feature under value-added services, which is great for any ecommerce brand.

2.9) Safe Express

Safe Express, like Gati, is among the oldest courier company in India, with 20+ years of service in the eCommerce logistics industry. Serving 28000+ different pin codes in India, Safe Express prides itself on providing businesses with the most efficient supply chain solutions.

It equips each vehicle with PRS-enabled smart devices to ensure that eCommerce enterprises can receive real-time tracking updates while orders are in transit. This also enables transportation units to determine the optimal route for any delivery to reduce delays. Safe Express secured delivery services, which include receipt of proof-of-delivery on fulfillment, give online businesses an added advantage.

2.10) Professional Courier Services

Professional Couriers is an experienced courier service provider working with supply chain experts for over a decade. There are over 1000 Professional Couriers offices maintained all across the country to ensure streamlined delivery. This company is known for providing fast courier services to businesses, with an added level of security and reliability. Efficiency is maintained through its well-distributed network of fulfillment offices. 

2.11) India Post

India Post has enjoyed the reputation of the best courier delivery service in the country for years. It is the country's national postal service with over 160 years of experience delivering mail and other important goods across India.

Recently, India Post has introduced special services to cater to e-commerce businesses. These services include warehousing, storage and distribution, LTL and FTL shipping, expedited delivery, and live track n trace. 

It also accepts Cash on Delivery for online orders but levies a small tax on such shipments. Be sure to check out the percentage of taxes levied for different orders. All information is available on the India Post website.

2.12) Shadowfax

Shadowfax began as a courier company in India in 2015 to solve last-mile delivery problems in the logistics sector. With its dedicated workforce of 25 lakh riders, Shadowfax is one of the fastest hyperlocal delivery companies in India. 

For ecommerce companies, it provides both forward and reverses logistics services. Land or air transportation, warehouse pickups, real-time order tracking, and COD payments.

Its ability to reach the remotest parts of the country makes Shadowfax one of the top courier services in India.

2.13) Xpressbess

Xpressbees is another delivery company that successful ecommerce businesses have trusted for years. This courier service has been operational in the B2B, B2C, and cross-border logistics sectors since 2015. It has an extensive reach of 20,000+ pin codes throughout the country.

In B2B shipping, Xpressbees uses a proprietary technology platform to plan the fastest delivery routes for 1000+ vehicles. This also ensures end-to-end visibility of the shipment and reduces costs on shipping. This courier delivery company has large storage facilities across 40 Indian cities, making warehousing hassle-free for ecommerce companies.

2.14) UPS

UPS (United Parcel Service) is an American shipping company that delivers to over 220 countries worldwide. It assists online store owners in optimizing their supply chain and distribution network by offering time-definite deliveries and management services. UPS allows slot-based delivery and can pick up/drop off packages at specified points.

With UPS, ecommerce businesses can ship bulk orders, store items in the UPS warehouse for later orders, and offer real-time tracking information to their customers. It is the best courier service in India regarding shipment visibility, performance analytics, and packaging materials. 

2.15) Aramex

Aramex is renowned all over the world for the extraordinary courier delivery services it provides to businesses and individuals. It currently provides delivery services to 3200 pin codes across India. Aramex is a complete solution for ecommerce businesses because it can help them build an online store on MartJack or ShopGo.

Aramex provides a scalable option for rapid ecommerce companies with state-of-the-art warehouses, inventory management facilities, actionable insights, and live order tracking. Most importantly, Aramex's customer care is available 24/7 to answer and resolve all customer queries or complaints.

3. Top 15 Essential Criteria to Choose the Best Courier Services Provider Company or Partner in India

Do you want to know the fastest courier services to deliver many orders? Or do you want to hire an affordable cheap courier partner for your online business to save money? Is the oldest courier company the best option or a newly established one? These are the frequently asked questions (FAQs) by any entrepreneur or an online business owner before partnering with a courier company.

The ultimate solution to all these FAQs is well explained in the below article. Further, several factors must be considered when selecting the best courier company for your eCommerce business to ensure smooth and hassle-free customer service. So, check about these best courier service providers for your upcoming or pre-existing eCommerce business in India.

Do you need the cheapest courier partner to keep costs low or the fastest partner to ensure a greater number of orders? Is the oldest courier company better or the most established?

Determining which distribution network is right for your business depends on many criteria. To ensure that every shipping solutions company you assign to handle your logistics is truly ideal, these are the determinants you must consider.

3.1) Serviceability

This is the base criteria that any courier partner must fall under. Serviceability deals with 2 simple questions. Does this courier company ship to your company’s desired locations? Can it handle the volume of orders your business receives daily, weekly, and monthly?

Given the recent boom in online retail and e-commerce businesses, multiple courier partners are needed to meet the rising consumer demand. As more industries expand to web-based platforms, distribution needs become increasingly complex. Selecting a courier company requires these complexities to be considered, some of which are listed below.

3.2) Limitations on Cargo Weight and Size

It’s important to remember that different courier partners can handle the weights, freight capacities, and modes of transport available for shipping. While the exact size and weight of products and shipments may differ from order to order, the average size scale of cargo transported must be considered. An ideal courier partner would be familiar with handling shipments of that size and the locations required.

Some courier companies are better equipped to handle larger products, while others may maintain a focus on shipping bulk orders of smaller products. E-commerce businesses selling heavier and bulkier products like machinery or furniture will have very different shipping needs compared to online merchants specializing in pharmaceuticals or cosmetics.

Delhivery and Ekart are the preferred courier partners for bulky orders like furnishings. Other shipping companies pride themselves on reaching the more remote areas of the country and the globe. Selecting a courier partner with a larger reach can also insure you for the future, should your company decide to expand to other locations, both within the country and abroad.

3.3) Freight Costs

If you find multiple courier partners within your range of serviceability in terms of location, volume, and weight of shipments, you may still be unsure how to narrow down the number. This is where the shipping rates can help you decide the best option. That isn’t to say you should look for the lowest rates but the best rates for the best overall service. Unsure about the average shipping rates in India? Head over to a detailed breakdown of ecommerce shipping costs in India and how they are calculated for better understanding.

Rates can vary based on the delivery range, speed, size and weight, type of cargo, final destination, etc. The question for any business owner then becomes: What are the most important elements of the delivery for my customers? For example, suppose your business receives same-day delivery orders frequently. In that case, the most cost-effective option is to select a courier partner that specializes in same-day or ultra-fast shipments or one that does not charge extra for the same.

3.4) Delivery Speed

For any online merchant, fast delivery is the trick to winning over customers and giving them the best experience. Customers typically expect deliveries within 3-5 days. Beyond that time frame, customers tend to get anxious and are often struck with buyer’s remorse. This can result in a high number of cancellations and RTO (Return-to-Origin). With platforms like Clickpost, you can monitor delivery speed for each delivery and effectively reduce RTOs through NDR management.

Speed of delivery can be affected by the training of delivery agents, warehouse and inventory management, choice of vehicle, and numerous other factors. Courier partners with more streamlined distribution networks will likely have a history of speedy deliveries. If speed is essential to a business's brand, the ideal courier partner will specialize in express deliveries.

3.5) Hidden Costs and SLA Terms

Much like some logistics companies in India charge extra for single-day or scheduled fast deliveries, others may charge for different types of services, even ones built into the distribution process. Hidden costs can pop up in unexpected scenarios, like packaging, printing labels, and even consolidated shipment sizes. In the case of RTOs, e-tailers can lose as the shipment cost will remain unchanged, even if the customer gets a refund.

An SLA between you and any service provider will bring much-needed clarity and transparency to every transaction. Quality control, NDR response, speed of delivery, exceptional circumstances, and, most importantly, penalties can all be specified in an SLA, in addition to standard terms regarding the speed of delivery. The goal of an SLA is to ensure that the burden of any mishap, misstep, or miscommunication made by the courier partner does not fall with a thud onto the shoulders of the business.

3.6) Specialization

With more varied industries making their way to the internet, carrier companies have had to get extra creative with their shipping solutions. Depending on the type of products being transported, some courier companies have specialized resources that enable easy transport and a wide array of cargo safety.

Similar to how some courier partners focus on bulk shipments while others are better equipped to handle smaller orders, different shipping companies can have their specializations, like express delivery, handling customs clearance, or even transporting wet cargo like water or petrol. If your business sells temperature-sensitive, fragile, flammable, radioactive, or highly valued products, finding specialized courier partners is extremely important.

3.7) Security and Insurance

Speaking of high-value products, insurance is something that can save any person or business from facing an immense loss. This goes doubly so in the case of cargo transportation. While every product shipped needn’t be treated like the Mona Lisa in transit, knowing that your shipping agent guarantees a certain safety standard will reduce an immense amount of costs spent on damaged or degraded products. 

Many courier companies pride themselves on their safety standards and train their transportation professionals to handle items with the utmost care. In the case of highly valued or fragile products, this can make or break a company’s reputation. For example, online jewelry merchants, which usually ship high-value products, usually use Bluedart. A standard insurance plan with a trusted courier partner can help businesses avoid heavy losses.

3.8) Delivery Mechanisms

This term essentially encapsulates the entire system used by any given courier company for regular shipments, including storage, transport, and communication. Miscommunications between an online store, a courier company, and the customer can become a huge bone of contention for business owners. 

The process starts when an item is ordered and picked up from a warehouse or distribution center and continues until it is successfully delivered to the customer. How a company trains its employees, the number of fulfillment centers along the way, the tracking platform used, messages sent to the customers, and updates provided to the company all fall under this category and can impact every customer’s overall experience.

3.9) Proof of Delivery

Not all deliveries are successful, though many are updated as such. As a seller, you may become aware of the problem only after receiving customer feedback when the situation is beyond repair. Having a strict policy and setup for communicating proof of delivery can ensure that customer complaints can be easily verified and will also hold delivery agents accountable for the state of the product at the time of delivery. 

It is important to check with prospective shipping companies what their existing method for communicating proof of delivery is. Some companies may do it via text or an automatic update. In contrast, others may have an existing policy that demands photographic evidence, which provides the most information about whether the product was delivered fully intact, packaging included, into the hands of a customer.

3.10) RTO Percentage

Frequently failed deliveries are one of the biggest problems any e-commerce business can face. RTOs can contribute to major losses, especially if the product is not returned in usable condition or if the shipping company does not have a reverse logistics and returns system. RTOs also occur more frequently in delayed delivery or if a customer is having trouble tracking a product.

Before selecting an eCommerce logistics partner, it helps to determine which courier partners regularly have high numbers of RTOs. While RTOs may not be completely avoidable, they can be reduced if NDRs (Non-Delivery Reports) are handled efficiently. When an initial delivery attempt is unsuccessful, how many additional attempts are made to complete the order successfully?

Suppose the courier agent cannot reach a customer. Is there a mechanism to receive additional contact information from the customer to ensure the second or even the third attempt is successful? A standardized response system to NDRs can reduce your RTO percentage, as offered by unified platforms like ClickPost. Efficiency in overall delivery and the completion of initially unsuccessful deliveries are equally important.

3.11) Returns Management

While NDRs may lead to orders automatically returning to their point of origin, another important scenario is that businesses and online merchants have to think of returning orders after completing the delivery. While the item can be returned for numerous reasons, the end goal of a returned order is for the product to safely make it back to the storage facility or warehouse it came from.

A courier company with an efficient returns management system will play an immensely important role in this long and tedious process. A time must be scheduled for pick up, and the burden lies on the courier partner to ensure the package retraces its steps to return to the business. A bonus that integration platforms like Clickpost can offer is the instantaneous collection of customer feedback data, which can help improve the provision of services.

3.12) Stuck Shipments

With thousands of orders being processed and transported daily, a few stuck shipments probably wouldn’t stick out. However, customers can become increasingly frustrated to learn that their orders are being held at a warehouse or fulfillment center in another city or, more annoyingly, in their city. And this could potentially become a much larger issue.

Stuck shipments can occur for numerous reasons, from customs clearances to logistics issues like delays in the pickup and vehicular difficulties. Monitoring the causes for most of your stuck shipments can help you select a courier partner equipped to overcome those specific challenges.

Courier integration platforms like Clickpost can help you monitor your stuck shipments with multiple courier partners to get a comparative view of the shipping solutions you need.

3.13) Technology

Since e-commerce logistics businesses are heavily technology-driven and improve their tech-savviness daily, courier partners, logistics companies, and shipping solutions firms also maintain an obligation to do the same. API and UI-driven platforms can increase delivery efficiency, streamline tracking of orders, and help immensely in dealing with NDRs and reducing RTOs.

An up-to-date courier company will be equipped with tech that enables quick communication, regular updates on the product's status, an easy method to process photographic evidence of delivery, and quickly receive customer feedback.

3.14) Additional Benefits

While these may not make the top of the list of criteria to look for in your search for the best courier, they still offer amazing opportunities to increase efficiency and fulfill orders successfully. Depending on the logistics firm's offers and requirements, these can include storage, inventory management, printing shipping labels, and aiding in customs clearance and cross-border formalities.

3.15) Reviews and Track Record of Courier Company

Numerous websites and forums provide regular reviews and insights on how different courier companies perform, especially larger ones like UPS and DHL. These can help you determine if they suit all your other needs and the above criteria. 

Most established shipping partners and logistics companies have also spent many years sculpting their reputation and creating a solid base in their area of specialization. A careful review of their past performances will give you a clearer perspective of which courier partners will be able to provide you with efficient fulfillment solutions customized to your business.

4) Benefits of Using Courier Companies for Ecommerce Shipping

The features of the best courier companies in India should give you a fair idea of what you would be missing out on if you don't partner with a courier delivery company. A shipping carrier will take away many of your current responsibilities, leaving you more time to focus on manufacturing, marketing, and selling.

The best courier company would also provide better shipping services and enable you to share live order tracking messages with your customers on phones, emails, and WhatsApp.

Another lesser-known advantage of courier companies is that they make your logistics operations much cheaper than in-house options. This is because bigger 3PLs have economies of scale, allowing them to move more items simultaneously, saving costs.

5. Final Words

So, these are the top eCommerce courier service companies in India that you can partner with and deliver your customer's orders on time and on their desired location. They have been in business for the past couple of years and have a good customer base & reputation for providing high-quality courier services within India. Hundreds of small and medium-sized eCommerce businesses have hired these courier service providers to fulfill their customer needs on time.

6. FAQs

6.1) Which is the fastest courier company in India?

DHL and DTDC provide the fastest courier delivery service in India. Both of these courier services offer expedited delivery.

6.2) Which is the best Carrier in India for secure shipping?

The safest courier companies in India are DTDC, BlueDart, Delhivery, DHL, etc. These carriers offer shipping insurance, so ecommerce sellers don't have to worry if items are lost or broken in transit or while handling.