One of the certainly most important and delicate aspects for an online store is the management of eCommerce shipments. A fundamental question to ask yourself when starting an eCommerce business is in fact: to which logistics operator should I entrust my shipments?
If you are looking for the answer to this question, you are in the right place.
However, there is first of all one thing to clarify: there is no one-size-fits-all answer. Every online store has different requirements. Think for instance of the case of an eCommerce selling make-up and the case of an eCommerce selling furniture. It is clear that the assessments to be made regarding the type of shipping and the type of courier to be used will be very different, because the characteristics of the products sold are also very different.
In short, there is no absolute best or worst solution for your eCommerce shipments, only the solution that best meets your needs and, of course, those of your customers. The secret, therefore, is to know what the different couriers have to offer, so that you can select the most suitable operators for your needs.
That is why we have prepared for you a brief guide to the main differences between the operators operating in Italy. Let’s find out right now.
What are the different types of logistics operators
We can divide transport operators into four main categories:
- Road hauliers: they generally move bulky goods and have only one destination, i.e. no intermediate stops, national or European.
- Traditional couriers: generally own a fleet of vehicles with which they move small and medium-sized goods – throughout the national territory, internationally or in certain areas covered by the service. Delivery times generally vary between 2 and 5 working days, depending on the destination to be reached.
- Express couriers: thanks to their capillarity over the territory, they allow fast deliveries, within 24/48 hours, throughout the national or international territory. They are mainly specialised in the shipment of small parcels. They also allow a high degree of customisation of the service.
- Hybrid couriers: these are shipping companies that offer their customers all the forms of transport listed above, covering the territory extensively and offering different shipping times according to needs and requests.
Which are the main couriers operating in Italy
There are several couriers on the Italian scene to whom you can entrust your eCommerce shipments. In this article we will focus on the last three types listed, thus excluding hauliers.
Here is a list of the main ones:
- Poste Italiane
- DHL
- TNT-FedEx
- UPS
- BRT
- GLS
- InPost
Differences between main couriers operating in Italy
For each of the operators listed above, we now analyse the main characteristics, so as to help you understand which ones might be the most suitable for your needs.
For each of them, we have also simulated the shipping of a 2 kg parcel, size 30x20x5, from Rome to Milan, in order to better compare shipping costs and times. (No additional service is provided in the example given. Prices and delivery times are indicative, for more detailed information you can request a customised quote from each courier. Reference was also made to the www.packlink.it website for estimates).
Poste Italiane
Costs: the Poste Delivery Standard Service allows parcels of up to 20 kg to be sent. Prices therefore vary depending on the weight and size of the parcel. For parcels up to 1 metre, prices range from EUR 9.90 (up to 3 kg) to EUR 17.60 (up to 20 kg). For larger packages (up to 1.5 metres), prices range from 14.90 euro to 22.60 euro.
Delivery time: delivery takes approximately 4 working days. There are two delivery attempts per shipment, if in both cases there is a non-delivery, the recipient has the possibility of collecting the parcel at the indicated Post Office within 10 days.
Ancillary services: various ancillary services are provided, including the possibility of tracking the parcel thanks to the Track & Trace service, the Poste Italiane App or by calling the toll-free number. It is also possible to take advantage of: shipment insurance, Fermoposta, return receipt, cash on delivery, return to sender in the event of non-delivery, home collection of the shipment and storage.
Example: shipment of a 2 kg parcel, 30x20x5 cm, from Rome to Milan. Standard shipping cost: 6.50 euro. Estimated delivery in 5 working days. Express shipping cost: 8 euro.
DHL
Costs: vary depending on the weight of the parcel. Domestic tariffs 2023 start at EUR 10.28 for a 1 kg parcel and go up to EUR 21.45 for a 20 kg parcel. International rates start at EUR 14.99 and go up to EUR 69.24. With the DHL International Express service, on the other hand, delivery within 24 hours can be guaranteed starting at a cost of EUR 23.50.
Lead times: these can vary depending on the service chosen and the origin/destination of the shipment. On average, lead times are 2-3 days for domestic shipments and neighbouring countries, and up to 20 days for more distant countries. With the DHL International Express service, delivery within 24 hours is guaranteed.
Services: DHL offers the possibility to customise the service according to different needs. For example, you can request the Sameday Sprintline service, for same-day delivery; the Express service by the next morning and at a set time; the Express Easy service, for deliveries at a set time; the DHL Welcome pack service, for deliveries even on Saturdays. It is also always possible to track the parcel and, if applicable, even change the address or delivery day/time.
Example: shipment of a 2 kg parcel, 30x20x5 cm, from Rome to Milan. Standard shipping cost: 10.28 euro. Estimated delivery in 3 working days. Express shipping cost: 28.69 euro
TNT-FedEx
Costs: again, costs vary depending on the weight of the parcel and the destination (national or international). They start at 7 euros for parcels of less than 1 kg to be sent domestically and go up to 27 euros for parcels between 51 and 70 kg. Prices for international shipments start at EUR 31.89.
Delivery time: TNT-FedEx delivers in Italy on average within the second working day after dispatch. Within Italy, including the islands, it is also possible to request express delivery within 24 hours. The time required for an international shipment instead varies depending on the destination.
Services: offers the possibility to customise its services, for example by adding insurance. For eCommerce, there is also the ‘Easy Return’ service; the Proximity Integration service (for pick-up at FedEx locations); the Pre Delivery Message service to change the date and place of delivery; the Manage Leave Notice service, to organise a new delivery if delivery fails on the first attempt; the Delivery by Appointment service and the Proof of Delivery (POD).
Example: shipment of a 2 kg parcel, 30x20x5 cm, from Rome to Milan. Standard shipping cost: 10.20 euro. Estimated delivery in 1 working day. Express shipping cost (by 10 a.m. the next day): 20.20 euro.
UPS
Costs: the cost for shipping an extra small parcel in Italy is 10 euros; for an extra large parcel the cost is 18 euros. Costs increase depending on whether you have to ship to Europe, the United Kingdom or the United States, with price differences depending on the size of the parcel. For example, to send a medium-sized parcel in Europe the cost is EUR 27.23; this rises to EUR 27.62 for the UK and EUR 95.85 for the US (in Italy the cost would be EUR 12.69). In Italy, for next working day delivery by the end of the day, a surcharge of EUR 4.74 is charged; for next working day delivery by midday, EUR 10.06.
Timing: the fastest service guarantees delivery to major international destinations within 2-4 working days and by 2 p.m., while the cheapest option guarantees delivery also within 2-4 working days but by the end of the day. At an additional cost, next-day delivery can be requested.
Services: Among its services for eCommerce, UPS offers the possibility of Saturday delivery and the option of letting customers choose a Pick-up Point. It is also possible to track the shipment and redirect or reschedule the delivery.
Example: shipment of a 2 kg parcel, 30x20x5 cm, from Rome to Milan. Standard shipping cost: 11.22 euros. Estimated delivery in 1 working day. Express shipping cost: 21.28 euro.
BRT
Costs: costs vary depending on weight and destination. For a domestic shipment, they start at 16 euros for parcels weighing less than 2 kg and go up to 62 euros for parcels up to 100 kg. For islands, there is a surcharge of 7 to 15 euros. To ship to Europe, the cost varies depending on the destination (divided into four zones). For example, for Zone 1 (France, Holland, Austria, Croatia, Hungary, Germany, Switzerland and Slovenia) the cost varies from 23.50 euros (parcels up to 2 kg) to 41.90 euros (parcels up to 31.5 kg). Over 31.5 kg there is a surcharge of EUR 25. For non-European countries there is the International Air service with specific rates depending on the destination.
Timing: In Italy delivery is generally expected in 24/48 hours, but times may vary depending on the destination. If the shipment is abroad, by road the estimated time is 48/72 hours in most European countries.
Services: The services offered are many, from cash-on-delivery service to neighbour delivery, from stock management to delivery by appointment. For shorter delivery times it is also possible to use the Express, Priority or 10:30 service. You can also insure your shipment and take advantage of delivery verification with the POD service or the Securbox service, which provides special packaging to protect the transport of glass bottles.
Example: shipment of a 2 kg parcel, 30x20x5 cm, from Rome to Milan. Standard shipping cost: 13.72 euros. Estimated delivery in 3 working days. Express shipping cost: 24.68 euro.
GLS
Costs: GLS shipping costs vary depending on the weight and size of the parcel to be shipped. For an XS parcel (less than 3 kg) the cost is 15 euros. For an XL parcel (over 100 kg) the cost is 46 euros. For islands, there is an additional cost ranging from 4 to 9 euros. For international shipments, the cost varies depending on the size of the parcel, weight, destination, shipping method (parcel or logistics) and delivery time required.
Timing: With GLS it is possible to ship to Italy or major markets in 24/48 hours; while to more distant countries standard delivery times vary from 72 to 96 hours.
Services: All of GLS’s additional services are available for domestic deliveries for an additional charge. Not all, however, are available for international shipments. Some of the main additional services available are: shipment insurance, cash on delivery, firm storage, flexible delivery, delivery by 12 noon, proof of delivery, eCommerce returns management, Saturday delivery, sprinter services.
Example: shipment of a 2 kg parcel, 30x20x5 cm, from Rome to Milan. Standard shipping cost: 15 euro. Estimated delivery in 2 working days.
InPost
Costs: With InPost it is possible to send parcels up to a maximum weight of 25 kg and dimensions of 41x38x64 at an advantageous price compared to other couriers to Locker and Collection Points. For a 1 kg parcel the cost is EUR 4.27, for a medium parcel (10 kg) the cost is EUR 6.65, for a large parcel (20 kg) the cost is EUR 9.51.
Time: on average, the time for delivery to a Locker or an InPost Pick-up Point is two days for locations on the mainland, while for the Islands and remote areas it can take from 48 up to 96 hours. Storage is 3 days, within which the end customer must go to collect the parcel.
Services: InPost offers the possibility to track the order by sending a tracking code by email or SMS to the recipient. The end recipient, with maximum flexibility, can pick up his parcel at the selected InPost Network Locker or Pick-up Point.
Example: shipment of a 2 kg parcel, 30x20x5 cm, from Rome to Milan. Cost: 4.27 euros. Expected delivery in 24 hours.
How to choose the right courier for your eCommerce shipments
As we said at the beginning of this article, therefore, there is no absolute best shipping service, only the one that best reflects your and your customers’ needs.
To sum up, the main differences between shipping services concern:
- The cost of eCommerce shipping, with rates varying depending on the weight and size of the package and the final destination;
- The expected delivery time, which varies depending on the destination, whether domestic or international;
- The additional services offered, which also involve different costs depending on the operator.
In order to choose the most suitable courier to entrust your eCommerce logistics to, it is therefore essential to assess all these aspects and choose the right compromise.
However, you should be aware that it would be good not to rely on just one courier company for the management of your shipments, because should any problems occur with that one logistics service provider, you would end up with an eCommerce that cannot fulfil orders. Activating multiple couriers or local couriers on specific locations will therefore allow you to manage your logistics with greater efficiency and peace of mind.
Alternatively… choose not to have to choose. What does that mean? Let us explain.
Thanks to GEL Proximity, you can integrate all couriers into a single solution that allows you to exploit the advantages of each one, leaving your customers free to pick up an order at a Locker or Pick-up Point, at an advantageous cost.
How much does it cost you? GEL Proximity is a Pay per Ship service, so you only pay for what you ship, when the customer chooses the option to pick up at a Locker or Collection Point.
What are you waiting for, connect our 125.00 Pick-up Points for free now.
