Door-to-door transport is part of the daily life of many manufacturing companies and shippers who need to get their products to the end customer. Although the term door-to-door seems to make what it refers to very clear, it is worth clarifying some details and underlining why it is so necessary.

What is door-to-door transport?

It is known as door-to-door transport to the one that is carried out in an integral way from the seller to the buyer. However, there are different cases here that can vary which shipments are considered door-to-door. For example, is an e-commerce shipment from an intermediate warehouse to the end customer considered door-to-door? In this case, the shipment may not leave directly from the seller, but from an external logistics warehouse, but the delivery would be made at the address -or the place designated- by the buyer.
Door-to-door transport in electronic commerce

As we have already suggested, electronic commerce is a segment in which door-to-door transport is essential. We all know, as consumers, what we value when our online orders are delivered in a timely manner. Digital vendors risk a large part of their prestige and their relationship with the client in the delivery part. Thus, the main parcel companies, such as Tipsa, of which we are a part, strive to improve these shipments. Time slots, pre-notices, notices in case of absence, possibility of modifying delivery data, collection points, etc.

The lack of time, the rush, the inexhaustible desire for increasing comfort, the difficulties of reconciling work and personal life, among other aspects, encourage the creation of these delivery options. The client rules and, with it, modifies the way in which door-to-door transport is carried out.
Interms and international shipments

Incoterms, which we have already talked about other times on the blog, and international shipments are very closely linked. Incoterms define the conditions under which loads and deliveries are made, who will pay for certain items, etc. For example, it indicates whether the merchandise will be left at the port, who is in charge of customs procedures, merchandise insurance, etc.

In these cases, having a door-to-door shipment that includes all the concepts will avoid many headaches. We do not have to hire several logistics operators or carriers that carry out the different parts of the journey, we reduce paperwork and it will be easier for us to know the final cost of the shipment, avoiding scares and unforeseen events.

To finish, we are going to underline a misunderstanding that sometimes occurs with the door-to-door concept, and it is that of depalletizing, manual unloading or lifting the merchandise -especially if it is heavy- up to a floor. A door-to-door service may not include the availability to carry out this type of service and it is normal that it involves an additional cost. The most common conditions for a door-to-door delivery is that the merchandise is left -again, when it is heavy merchandise– at street level, as close as possible to the destination.

Related Posts

• How to send pallets at the best price without losing quality
• Three important aspects in delivery logistics
• How to hire pallet transport agencies
• How to prepare your pallets with merchandise
• Three factors in the ground transportation service