For an e-commerce business, shipping is more than just moving a box from one place to another. It’s a critical part of your customer experience and a major factor in your profitability. A smart shipping strategy can increase sales and build customer loyalty, while a bad one can lead to abandoned carts and negative reviews.
This guide will decode the essentials of shipping for Indian entrepreneurs.
Part 1: Domestic Shipping in India
Choosing a Courier Partner
Selecting the right courier is a balance of cost, speed, and reliability. The major players in India include:
- Blue Dart / DHL: Often considered the most reliable and fastest, but also the most expensive.
- Delhivery & Xpressbees: Very popular for e-commerce, offering a good balance of cost and wide serviceability.
- Ecom Express: Specializes in e-commerce logistics, with a strong network.
- India Post: The most extensive network, reaching every corner of the country, and often the most cost-effective for smaller items.
Pro Tip: Don’t stick to just one. Use a mix of couriers based on the destination and product value.
Understanding Shipping Costs
Couriers charge based on whichever is higher: Actual Weight or Volumetric Weight.
- Actual Weight: The weight of the package on a scale.
- Volumetric Weight: The amount of space the package takes up. The formula is
(Length x Breadth x Height in cm) / 5000.
Always pack your items in the smallest box possible to avoid overpaying due to volumetric weight.
The Reality of Cash on Delivery (COD)
In India, offering COD is almost essential to maximize sales. However, it comes with risks, primarily higher rates of returns (RTO - Return to Origin). To manage this, you can charge a small extra fee for COD orders or use automated IVR calls to confirm COD orders before shipping.
Using Shipping Aggregators
For most small businesses, using a shipping aggregator is the best approach. Platforms like Shiprocket, Shyplite, or Pickrr integrate with multiple courier companies.
- Benefits: You get discounted rates, a single dashboard to manage all shipments, and the flexibility to choose the best courier for each individual order.
Part 2: International Shipping from India
Selling globally opens up a huge new market, but requires more paperwork.
- Get Your IEC: You will need an Importer Exporter Code (IEC) from the DGFT website to ship products commercially outside of India.
- Customs Documentation: Each shipment needs a clear invoice and declaration form. Be accurate with your product descriptions and value to avoid delays.
- Choose Your Carrier: Companies like DHL, FedEx, and Aramex are experts in international logistics. India Post also offers surprisingly reliable and cost-effective international parcel services.
Best Practices for a Great Shipping Experience
- Be Transparent: Clearly display your shipping costs and estimated delivery times on your product and checkout pages. High shipping costs revealed at the last second are the #1 cause of abandoned carts.
- Provide Proactive Tracking: As soon as you ship an order, send the customer an email or SMS with the tracking link. This reduces customer anxiety and support queries.
- Invest in Good Packaging: Your package is a part of your brand experience. Ensure it is sturdy enough to protect the product and, if possible, add a small branded touch like a thank you card.
How GridRay Simplifies Your Logistics
While you manage the “last mile” shipment to your customer, your logistics process actually begins with your supplier. A messy inbound supply chain makes it impossible to have efficient outbound shipping.
GridRay simplifies this crucial “first mile.” We provide a reliable, predictable supply of authentic products from our verified network. Knowing that you have a dependable source for your inventory makes it much easier to manage stock levels, plan your fulfillment, and get orders out to your customers on time.
Conclusion
Think of shipping not as a cost, but as a strategic part of your business. By choosing the right partners, understanding the costs, and creating a transparent process for your customers, you can turn logistics into a competitive advantage.
