{"id":3697,"date":"2024-11-18T17:20:42","date_gmt":"2024-11-18T17:20:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.shipbob.com\/au\/blog\/carrier-facility\/"},"modified":"2025-07-02T02:19:59","modified_gmt":"2025-07-02T02:19:59","slug":"carrier-facility","status":"publish","type":"blog","link":"https:\/\/www.shipbob.com\/au\/blog\/carrier-facility\/","title":{"rendered":"101 Guide to Courier Facilities (Including FedEx, UPS, USPS, & Amazon)"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Table of Contents<\/p>

** Minutes<\/p><\/div><\/div>\n

What is a courier facility?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

4 biggest courier facilities (+ most common Q&A)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The importance of real-time courier tracking<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

ShipBob maximises your shipping performance<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bonus tip: Key terminology regarding your package status<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Courier facility FAQs<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

After you pick and pack your orders to perfection (or a 3PL<\/a> does it for you), the courier of your choice picks them up and delivers them straight to your customer\u2019s front door. Simple, right?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Well, not quite. Once it’s handed off to a courier, an order\u2019s last-mile<\/a> journey is just beginning \u2014 and your responsibility isn\u2019t finished yet. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

While each package\u2019s journey can vary, almost every ecommerce order will spend time in a courier facility before arriving at its final destination. It is crucial that ecommerce businesses understand what goes on at a courier facility, as these facilities and their operations directly impact the delivery and customer experience \u2014 and, by extension, your bottom line. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In this article, we\u2019ll break down what a courier facility is, answer common questions about popular couriers, and discuss the importance of real-time courier tracking.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What is a courier facility?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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A courier facility is a courier-operated warehouse or distribution centre that holds packages bound for a specific geographic region.  <\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Packages that arrive at a courier facility are processed, scanned, and sorted before they are either sent to a different courier facility or delivered to the end customers. Courier facilities can be large or small, depending on the size of the area they cover. <\/p>\n\n\n

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What you need to know about courier facilities as a business<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

When your business works closely with couriers to complete their order fulfilment<\/a>, it\u2019s important to understand how a courier facility works. There are plenty of activities that take place within these facilities, and for orders to reach the right customers within the right time frame, these activities must be impeccably coordinated. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The chain of activity begins when trucks bring in packages addressed to destinations in the cities or localities that the facility serves. The trucks drop off the packages at designated locations within the facility, and the facility logs each package based on certain criteria, such as its shipping journey, destination region, or mode of travel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Once logged, packages are then sorted based on the criteria listed above and assigned to specific storage locations based on product type. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

For example, some parcels may require special storage spaces (such as freezers, refrigerated rooms, or darkrooms), some may be set aside for forwarding to a different facility even closer to the final destination, and some may be transported from truck to truck without being stored at all (which is called \u201ccross-docking”).  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

From there, packages are loaded onto other trucks or delivery vans, which will either take them closer to the final delivery destination or complete the delivery.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Through this organised process, courier facilities ensure that the right parcels are routed to the right destinations, and that products are stored properly while in transit to prevent spoilage or damage<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

4 biggest courier facilities (+ most common Q&A)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The biggest players in the domestic shipping<\/a> and delivery industry have their own courier facilities. Here are answers to common questions about four of the most popular couriers and their courier facilities. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Courier Facility<\/strong><\/td>Pickup option at courier facility<\/strong><\/td>Retail pickup or rerouting services available<\/strong><\/td>Processing timeframe<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>
Amazon<\/td>With Amazon Hub delivery notice<\/td>Yes<\/td>Varies<\/td><\/tr>
UPS<\/td>No<\/td>Yes<\/td>1-2 days<\/td><\/tr>
USPS
(United States Postal Service)<\/td>		No<\/td>Yes<\/td>1-2 days<\/td><\/tr>
FedEx<\/td>No<\/td>Yes<\/td>A few hours to 2 days<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

1. Amazon courier facility<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Can I pick up an Amazon package from a courier facility?<\/h5>\n\n\n\n

Unfortunately, you won\u2019t be able to pick up your Amazon package from the courier facility, as it\u2019s not open to the public. However, customers who specified that their order should be delivered to an Amazon Hub can pick up their package after receiving the delivery notice. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

How long does a package stay at an Amazon facility?<\/h5>\n\n\n\n

Amazon courier facilities don\u2019t hold packages for any specific time frame. Factors such as the type of shipping service used, the product itself, and seasonal pressure affecting a courier\u2019s service bandwidth will impact the hold time. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What does it mean when Amazon says a package has \u201cleft the courier facility\u201d?<\/h5>\n\n\n\n

This means that the package is in transit from the courier facility to a different location. This new location could be either the customer\u2019s doorstep, or a different courier facility closer to the order’s final destination. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u201cEverybody expects Amazon-level shipping speeds and 2-day or next-day delivery. To provide that to our customers via ground shipping, we need to increase the number of fulfilment centres we use to reduce shipment time. Instead of partnering with a bunch of different providers that each have one or two warehouses, we can just distribute inventory across ShipBob\u2019s dozens of US fulfilment centres.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Jessica Cedarleaf, VP of Operations at Tonies<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

2. UPS courier facility<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Can customers pick up packages from a UPS courier facility?<\/h5>\n\n\n\n

While it isn\u2019t possible to pick up a package at any courier facility (as it isn\u2019t safe for laypersons to be near industrial equipment and operations), UPS does give customers other ways to pick up orders. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Customers can leverage services such as UPS Delivery Intercept<\/a> to eschew delivery, or redirect the package to their preferred UPS Access Point or retail location from which they can pick up the package.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How long do packages stay at UPS facilities?<\/h5>\n\n\n\n

As with most couriers, there is no set time frame a package must stay at a UPS facility. However, on average, packages spend 1-2 days at UPS facilities before they\u2019re transported to the next destination.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What does it mean when a package is \u201cprocessing\u201d at a UPS facility?<\/h5>\n\n\n\n

This means that a UPS facility has received the package and is currently preparing to ship it to the next destination.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. USPS courier facility<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Can customers pick up packages from a USPS facility?<\/h5>\n\n\n\n

Similarly to UPS, USPS provides customers with ways to pick up packages that do not involve pedestrians visiting actual courier facilities. For a fee, customers can use the USPS Package Intercept<\/a> service to stop delivery, and have the package sent to their local Post Office for pickup. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

How long do packages stay at a regional USPS facility?<\/h5>\n\n\n\n

As with most couriers, there is no set time frame a package must stay at a USPS facility. In most cases, though, packages spend 1-2 days at a regional USPS facility before they\u2019re transported or delivered to the next destination.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What does USPS\u2019 \u201cDelivery status not updated\u201d mean?<\/h5>\n\n\n\n

This can mean a few things. It may be that there has been no change in the status of your order and that it is still in the delivery stage it was when you last checked. It could also mean that USPS\u2019 order tracking system has not refreshed yet, often as the result of scanning errors, a bug in the system, or issues with the delivery.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

4. FedEx courier facility<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Can customers pick up packages from a FedEx facility?<\/h5>\n\n\n\n

FedEx also provides customers with ways to pick up packages that avoid courier facilities. Through the Hold at FedEx<\/a> Location option, eligible packages can be rerouted to and picked up from a nearby FedEx retail location.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How long do packages stay at a FedEx facility?<\/h5>\n\n\n\n

Depending on the type of shipping service, some packages spend only a few hours at a FedEx facility, while others may have to be held for 1-2 days before being processed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How can customers find out which FedEx facility is holding their package?<\/h5>\n\n\n\n

Customers can use the FedEx Tracking tool to track the movement of your package and find out which FedEx facility has it ready for pickup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u201cWe love all the features of ShipBob\u2019s dashboard. We especially love the timeline feature, which shows which orders are processed, which are labelled, which are shipped, and so on. You can track orders all the way through the supply chain to your customer\u2019s doorstep, and get full visibility into the fulfilment process.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maria Osorio, Logistics and Operations Director at Oxford Healthspan<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

The importance of real-time courier tracking<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

With so much else to juggle in an ecommerce business, it\u2019s tempting to think your job is done once an order is in the courier\u2019s hands. However, it is crucial to stay invested even after the package leaves your fulfilment centre<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here are just a few of the reasons why ecommerce businesses should keep track of packages in real time. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Optimise logistics process<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Tracking and reporting on individual shipments allows you to estimate how long it will take for a package to reach its destination. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Using these reports, you can work backwards to plan your shipping schedules and your production and procurement<\/a> timelines accordingly to ensure that your supply chain functions seamlessly and to increase efficiency through optimised logistics processes<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Avoid package losses and delays<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

By knowing exactly where packages are and how they\u2019re moving at all times, you\u2019ll be able to detect any issues early on and address them in a timely manner. For example, if a package seems to be lost in transit, you can proactively send a replacement without waiting for the customer to reach out. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This type of responsiveness is crucial to ensure that a package arrives on time and to the right destination, and to keep customers informed and happy. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u201cEven though ShipBob is fulfilling our orders, I still get visibility into and control of the process with what they\u2019re doing. Wherever I am in the world, I can log in to my ShipBob dashboard and know exactly what\u2019s going on with our orders. ShipBob is dependable, so I can trust that a customer will get their product within two days, even if I’m not in the office or even near the vicinity. If an issue does pop up, like a missing order, I can just log on to ShipBob, repeat that order, and have it sent out to them in a flash. It’s just handy.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kelly Bond, Operations Manager at Elle Sera<\/a> <\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

Account for damages<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Real-time tracking<\/a> is essential to maintaining quality all the way from your ecommerce fulfilment centre to the customer\u2019s doorstep. By following the package at every turn, you\u2019ll be able to determine where damage occurs during transit and hold the correct party responsible. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This also makes it easier to detect signs of unreliability, malpractice, and bad service. As such, you can make informed decisions about existing partners and whether to switch to a different business partner.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maximise customer satisfaction<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

When real-time tracking helps you improve logistical efficiency<\/a>, stay on schedule, and avoid damage in transit, your customers have a better experience with your brand. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Customers love (and expect) a seamless delivery experience with tracking and order status updates \u2014 so when your brand can provide it all, shoppers are more likely to purchase again and recommend your brand to others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ShipBob maximises your shipping performance<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While you can\u2019t control what happens in the courier\u2019s facility, you can control how fulfil and prepare orders before you hand them off to the courier. In fact, by optimising your inventory, order, and fulfilment operations, you can set your courier partners up for success and boost your own brand\u2019s efficiency, order accuracy, and customer satisfaction.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

That\u2019s why a lot of brands choose to partner with an expert fulfilment and supply chain platform like ShipBob. Here are just some of the ways that ShipBob goes the extra mile beyond fulfilling orders for you to facilitate the easy, cost-effective last-mile experience customers expect.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Integrate with your favorite couriers <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

As an expert logistics provider, ShipBob partners and integrates with major last-mile couriers, including USPS, UPS, FedEx<\/a>, DHL, and more to outsource and streamline the courier handoff process. Through ShipBob\u2019s software, merchants view courier rates in real-time and either select their courier or choice, or automatically opt to ship each package via the most cost-effective courier. When coupled with bulk discount shipping rates negotiated with major couriers, ShipBob\u2019s shipping solutions let you save money on shipping without sacrificing quality.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u201cWhat impressed me most was their robust software, which also has all of the courier\u2019s rates and courier selection logic. For example, if we want to sell a certain bottle of wax, we can see which courier can send it the cheapest: DHL, FedEx, USPS, and even others.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

John Lewis, President and COO of Vision Investments (parent company of AutoGeek<\/a>) <\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

Ship from anywhere, fast <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

With dozens of fulfilment centres<\/a> across the US, UK, Europe, Canada, and Australia, ShipBob can store your inventory in multiple regions to place inventory closer to your customers. This enables you to use affordable ground shipping and still reach customers quickly, so you can cut delight customers without breaking the bank.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ShipBob\u2019s ideal inventory distribution tool helps you calculate the most strategic inventory allocation plan to minimise your average shipping time and cost.  <\/p>\n\n\n

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ShipBob will even handle physically distributing your inventory for you through our Inventory Placement Program<\/a>. Simply send your inventory to a single ShipBob receiving hub, and we\u2019ll take care of sending the right quantities to regional hubs for you.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u201cBy leveraging ShipBob’s US fulfilment network, we’ve significantly reduced shipping times. Previously, it would take us five to six business days to deliver items to customers. However, with the utilisation of four of ShipBob’s US fulfilment centres, the average delivery time has been reduced to just two and a half days from order receipt to customer receipt. <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Expanding our warehouse network from 2 to 4 warehouses has translated into substantial cost savings, amounting to $1.5 million in freight expenses for Our Place. Currently, only 2% of our parcels are reaching Zone 7 or Zone 8 collectively, indicating that 98% of our parcels are reaching Zones 1 through 6. By shipping locally to lower zones, we’re achieving the most significant reductions in outbound costs.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ali Shahid, COO of Our Place<\/a> <\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

Simplified package preparation <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

ShipBob streamlines the picking, packing, and labelling processes to simplify the process of courier pickup, and to boost your fulfilment accuracy and efficiency. Specifically, ShipBob will:  <\/p>\n\n\n\n