Shipping vs Delivery: Is There a Difference?

Shipping and delivery are interchangeable terms, right? These two terms are used all the time, especially if you are a frequent online shopper or have your own eCommerce business. When you send or receive a package through a carrier or your local post service, that package goes through shipping and delivery processes. So what is the difference between shipping and delivery?

What is Shipping?

Shipping is the process of getting a package from one location to another. 

Typically the shipping process begins when a carrier service picks up the package from a store, warehouse, fulfillment center, post office, or distribution center. Once the carrier has the package, it is transported to a sorting facility and routed to its final destination. Depending on the package’s weight, size, and destination, there might be several different carriers or shipping methods involved.

There is often a choice available for shipping speed, ranging from “same-day” to “wait-and-save.” Some companies will even give you a reward of some sort for choosing a slower shipping method. Different shipping speeds will change the cost of shipping and delivery. 

Throughout the shipping process, the package’s progress will be tracked using a tracking number provided by the carrier. This allows all parties to see where the package is and when it’s expected to arrive. Packages may travel through air freight, cargo ship, train, or truck and possibly even across international borders. There can be paperwork and complexities involved, and tracking numbers help create visibility throughout the shipping process. Once the package arrives at its destination warehouse or distribution center, the delivery process begins.

What is Delivery?

Delivery refers to the actual act of getting the package into the hands of the person who ordered it. This can be executed by the carrier or a third-party delivery service. A local warehouse or distribution center will schedule the final delivery, usually using some sort of route optimization software. 

For example, let’s say you order something from an eCommerce store and choose “one-day shipping.” This means the package will be shipped through the quickest carrier possible. The final delivery of this package will likely be made by a third-party delivery service specializing in last mile delivery. 

You will normally receive a notification when your package is in the final stage and en route to your door. When the item is delivered, the delivery service will normally provide some kind of proof of delivery. This can be a photo of the delivery or asking for a signature. You may also receive a notification for delivery failures, such as if there was nobody there to accept the delivery or if the driver couldn’t find the address.

Delivery can also involve different service levels such as “white glove” delivery for large or fragile items. Different delivery levels will change the cost of shipping and delivery. 

The Difference Between Shipping and Delivery

So what is the main difference between shipping and delivery? To sum it up, shipping refers to getting a package from one location to another, while delivery refers to getting the package into the hands of the recipient. 

While these terms are often used interchangeably, it’s important to know the difference between the two of them. Knowing the difference between shipping and delivery can help you make informed decisions when ordering a product and understanding what to expect when receiving a package.

Need help with shipping or delivery (or both)? Reach out to Brandfox to discover how we can assist in resolving your fulfillment challenges.