The courier dispatch process is all about sending and receiving packages from one location to another. When you need to ship items, you can count on a courier to ensure your packages are picked up, handled, and delivered with care and professionalism.
A courier completes many steps before a shipment arrives at your doorstep or your business. Keep reading to learn about the courier dispatch process.
Steps for Courier Dispatch
1. Package Pick-Up
The first step in the courier dispatch process is for a driver to pick up a shipment from the sender’s location. That can be a business, a private residence, or a drop-off area.
2. Documentation and Labeling
Next, the courier checks the package to make sure all information is correct, such as the shipping address and any other specific instructions or paperwork. The shipment then gets a tracking number and barcode for easy identification and tracking.
3. Sorting and Scanning
The package has been picked up and labeled, and now it’s ready to be sorted based on the destination. Shipments are also scanned at the sorting facility and throughout the transportation process. Regular scanning provides updates in real time for the sender and the receiver.
4. Temperature Control
Some shipments, such as pharmaceuticals or medical specimens, may need to follow temperature-control requirements. There may be specialized packaging or vehicles to keep goods in proper condition while in transit.
5. Transportation and Tracking
When the shipment leaves the facility, the sender and receiver can access updated tracking information for the package.
6. Priority Shipments
If necessary, a courier will provide expedited delivery services for urgent items, such as medical devices or specimens. It’s likely that a courier company will prioritize medical shipments to ensure speedy transportation or even rush delivery options.
7. Delivery
The process for delivery will vary depending on the contents of the package.
For example, if a shipment does not require a signature, it may be left at the recipient’s door. On the other hand, medical packages may be handed to a specific person or location. The instructions for a shipment are usually made clear by the sender when the package is picked up.
Lastly, the courier company records the proof of delivery. Tracking for the shipment will conclude once it has reached the destination. If the recipient was not present to receive the package, delivery may be reattempted later.
Courier Dispatch Training and Compliance
It’s important to know that some specialized couriers, such as medical couriers, require specific training before they can begin dispatching. That’s because medical shipments may contain sensitive materials with regulations or special handling procedures.
If a shipment needs refrigeration, the courier must know how to package, transport, and deliver the items safely and securely. Medical couriers also need to maintain confidentiality for shipments.
Courier Services at Stat Experts
At Stat Experts, our customers’ needs are at the forefront of our courier dispatch process.
The Stat Experts team serves facilities nationwide. We are one company with centralized dispatch, billing, training, customized standard operating procedures, detailed record keeping, and process controls. That way, we’re able to reduce your costs while providing premier customer service to you and your clients.
