Most people understand that a courier service transports items such as documents, packages, and other shipments. However, it’s a little more involved than that. Specialty couriers usually offer all of the following:

• 24/7/365 Service – A specialty courier can pick up or deliver shipments any day or time, even on weekends and holidays.
• Packaging — In some cases, courier services will package items safely and according to customers’ needs. Specialty couriers can provide and advise on specialized packaging such as validated cold-chain containers.
• Tracking — When using a specialty courier, you can fully customize tracking notifications and the progress of your shipment. Technology enablers such as GPS-enabled real-time monitoring can add an extra layer of visibility and security to any shipment.
• Inside Delivery — Parcel services like FedEx and UPS typically pickup or drop-off packages at designated points (such as a loading dock or front desk). Specialty couriers can arrange to make precise pickups or deliveries to a specific individual, room, or department.
• Local Shipping — Businesses may need speedy delivery of important documents within a city. For example, law firms often use couriers to deliver legal papers.
• Global Shipping — When shipping across borders, couriers may need to use multiple networks as well as deal with matters such as taxes and duties. People and businesses may hire a courier to simplify such shipments to avoid having to handle lots of paperwork themselves.

To understand what differentiates specialty couriers from other parcel carriers and delivery services, let’s examine the distinctive characteristics of this type of business:

• Customized services. While parcel carriers and delivery services are used to send shipments on a per-item basis, couriers typically work with businesses in a more personalized way. This helps companies save money in the long run.
• Speed. Specialty couriers are able to deliver items faster than other services. While delivery services may offer overnight service, a specialty courier can often deliver something within hours. When you need something the fastest possible way, a courier is the best choice.
• Security. Specialty couriers provide the highest level of security and tracking for packages. They use industry-specific standards for medical, legal, transportation, and other industries.
• Special handling. Specialty couriers are trained to handle specific commodities that require special handling such as dangerous goods or hazardous materials. They not only know how to properly handle such products to protect the safety and integrity of the shipment but also any regulatory requirements or customs paperwork to safely transport such shipments.

Each courier is different, but the following are some standard services they may offer:

• Expedited ground shipping — This refers to faster-than-normal ground shipping. When international shipping is involved, this typically means seamless border crossings.
• Air charter services — If you need something shipped by air, a charter service provides a courier and chartered air delivery. This is often the fastest way to securely send an item as it’s in the hands of a reliable courier during each phase of transport.
• Dedicated hand carry — This is an on-board courier service in which a dedicated courier carries a shipment onto a commercial airline and personally delivers it.
• NextFlight Out (NFO) Shipping — When a courier arranges shipment on the next available flight, which might be a commercial or private air carrier. Using logistics, the courier is able to calculate the fastest and most direct itinerary.