What is Courier?

Everyone, from global brands to SMEs to your average online marketplace seller, is able to move goods
to far-reaching corners of the world with such speed and ease nowadays, that it’s often taken for granted.
But the accomplishment really is quite incredible.

Of course, as a courier service ourselves we’re bound to say that. But to be able to order items from
America, Kenya, India, Australia (…the list goes on) and have it arrive at a Brit-based doorstep – or vice
versa – within days is nothing short of amazing.

Courier plays a truly vital role in everyday logistics, so to explore exactly what this feat entails and the
different types of courier services you can use, we wanted to dive in and share all.

A brief history of moving goods all over the world
Courier is an unaccompanied baggage product designed to move goods in a faster, more reliable way
than other delivery solutions.

But it didn’t start life this way.

Back in the 1950s and 60s, otherwise known as the golden age of air travel, when luxury was a key
aviation objective and an in-flight martini would be commonplace, courier would move physically with a
passenger. In fact, it was the passenger who’d be referred to as the courier. They’d purchase a ticket and
bring the items to be moved as their excess baggage allowance. This would need to be checked in and
collected from the baggage terminal, just like normal luggage.

Upon seeing how popular this service was, airlines began putting their own courier people on planes and
selling baggage allowance, which is often considered to be the first type of courier linehaul. Shortly after,
airlines cut the human element and simply sold the unaccompanied baggage product, which we know
today as courier.

Today, courier remains a niche airline product and a service that feels closer to passenger baggage than
cargo. Not all airlines offer it and those that do provide varying features and levels of service. However,
this way of moving goods can be better tailored to the user and end customer, and is often faster than
integrator solutions or alternative shipping methods.

Types of courier services
Courier comes in several different ways, so no matter your requirement there’ll be a service that suits.

Same-day delivery
Does what it says on the tin. Items are sent and received within the same day, ideal for urgent deliveries.

Express or on-demand
Provides faster delivery than your standard service, often within 1-3 days.

Overnight delivery
Another literal one – items are transported overnight to arrive the next day.

International courier
Items that are sent across international borders. They most often require customs clearance.

Freight courier
A service for large or bulk shipments.

How does courier work?
As we marvelled in the beginning of this blog, moving goods across the world is surprisingly simple.
Typically, courier reaches its destination in 4 steps…

The courier lands and completes its on-ground journey to be delivered to the recipient.
Easy, right?.

As we marvelled in the beginning of this blog, moving goods across the world is surprisingly simple.
Typically, courier reaches its destination in 4 steps…

1. The sender selects their chosen courier service and books the time and date required.

2. The courier is picked up or dropped off at the airport.

3. The courier heads off on its journey.

4. The courier lands and completes its on-ground journey to be delivered to the recipient.

Why use a courier service?

● Speed: whether express, same-day, or overnight – there’s a range of options to get your goods
from A to B quickly.

● Efficiency: most couriers seek process efficiencies wherever possible, such as airside pick up
and drop off for example.

● Security: a courier service is held to the same standards as passenger luggage, meaning there’s
a reduced risk of lost or damaged parcels.

● Convenience: this is door-to-door service on a global scale.

● Flexibility: courier offers a variety of shipping options that can be tailored to your company’s
individual needs.

● Reliability: advanced tracking and monitoring technology not only adds reliability to the service,
but keeps you updated on your goods’ progress.

● Cost effectiveness: for regular deliveries, bulk shipping, or peace of mind when it comes to
valuable items, courier provides real value for money.

Courier vs Cargo
Why choose courier over cargo? It’s a fair question. They both get goods to their overseas destination, so
what exactly is the benefit of one over the other?

Most companies prefer courier over cargo as it handles smaller, time-sensitive shipments with ease, while
cargo is best suited for large-scale or bulk freight. While cargo can sometimes be more cost-effective, it
can also take longer to move.

Courier also tends to have later cut-off times, higher priority admittance, faster goods recovery, and
access to a different clearance process. This is a huge plus if you need items to move at speed, or are
making part shipments and want them to be released as they arrive instead of waiting for the full load to land.

Put simply, you have more options and room to play with courier.

–

As the only dedicated express courier handling facility at London Heathrow, we can help get your goods
moving.

We’re proud to help move millions of parcels all over the globe each week, with the help of over 30 of the
world’s largest and most respected airlines.

More than that, we do it with speed, simplicity, and bespoke
services. From swift processing to real-time shipment tracking, or airside pick up, our reliable teams have
got you covered.