How Much Do Couriers Charge in India? Price Compare, Rates & Factors

Shipping is one of the biggest cost components for eCommerce businesses in India. Whether you run a Shopify store, a marketplace business, or ship parcels occasionally, understanding courier charges helps you reduce costs, improve delivery speed, and select the right partner.

But courier rates in India vary widely. Charges depend on weight, distance, service type, and the courier company you choose. In this detailed guide, we break down courier pricing, compare top partners, share example rates, and show you how to estimate your exact shipping cost using tools like the ILS Portal.

Also Read: https://ilsportal.io/blogs/how-to-write-address-on-envelope

What Determines Courier Charges in India?

Courier companies calculate charges using multiple factors. Understanding these helps you predict costs accurately.

Weight & Dimensions (Volumetric Weight)

• The heavier or bulkier the shipment, the higher the cost.
• Couriers calculate both: Actual weight (kg) and Volumetric weight (L × W × H / divisor).
• The higher value is billed.

For light but large packages (shoes, pillows, boxes), volumetric charges usually apply.

Distance (Origin - Destination)

Your shipping cost increases as the distance increases.

• Local deliveries: 030 km
• Zonal deliveries: Within the same region
• National deliveries: Across states

Remote areas and difficult-to-access locations may attract extra charges.

Service Type (Speed & Mode)

The faster the delivery, the higher the rate.

eCommerce sellers choose express mainly for urgent orders, premium products, or customer expectations.

Add-Ons & Surcharges

Additional services may affect your cost:

• Cash on Delivery (COD fee)
• RTO (Return-to-Origin) fee
• Fuel surcharge
• Handling fragile items
• Address correction charges
• Oversized parcel fees

Couriers update these surcharges frequently.

Example Courier Charges in India (Approximate Rates)

Below is an approximate domestic price comparison for 0.5–2 kg shipments. Rates vary by city and time, but this table helps you understand typical pricing.

Courier Rate Comparison Table

Note: Actual prices depend on pickup city, delivery PIN code, shipment weight, and surcharges.

Detailed Comparison of Top Courier Companies in India

Here is a breakdown of India's leading logistics partners and when they're suitable.

Blue Dart

Blue Dart courier charges are higher due to premium express delivery, fast air shipping, reliable tracking, and strong nationwide coverage.

• Best for: Premium and urgent deliveries
• USP: Fastest air network in India
• Price: Higher than competitors

Ideal for high-value products like electronics, jewellery, and business documents.

Also Read: https://ilsportal.io/blogs/blue-dart-courier

Delhivery

Delhivery courier charges remain affordable for eCommerce sellers, offering fast delivery, COD support, wide reach, and competitive shipping rates.

• Best for: D2C brands & COD orders
• USP: Great reach, fast service, affordable
• Price: Moderate

Very popular among Shopify stores and direct-to-consumer brands.

DTDC

DTDC courier charges vary by zone and service type, offering economical options with wide coverage across urban and semi-urban locations.

• Best for: SMEs needing a wide reach
• USP: Strong franchise network
• Price: Moderate to high

Speeds vary by region, but coverage is excellent.

India Post (Speed Post & Parcel)

India Post courier charges are the cheapest in India, ideal for low-cost parcels, rural deliveries, and budget-friendly national shipping.

• Best for: Budget shipping across India
• USP: Cheapest national network
• Price: Lowest

Perfect for low-margin items, rural deliveries, and government documents.

Ekart Logistics

Ekart courier charges are competitively priced for marketplace sellers, providing reliable COD delivery and fast service across major Indian cities.

• Best for: Flipkart sellers, COD-heavy orders
• USP: Great for marketplace sellers
• Price: Competitive

Reliable for tier-2/3 delivery.

Amazon Shipping

Amazon Shipping courier charges are optimized for Amazon sellers, offering fast delivery, real-time tracking, and cost-effective nationwide shipping.

• Best for: Prime and FBA sellers
• USP: Excellent tracking & speed
• Price: Competitive

Restricted to Amazon sellers.

XpressBees

XpressBees courier charges are affordable for D2C brands, offering quick deliveries, strong PIN code reach, and efficient COD handling.

• Best for: Startups & mid-size eCommerce
• USP: Fast growing, good pricing
• Price: Moderate

Known for efficient COD cycles and fast delivery.

Shree Maruti Courier

Shree Maruti Courier charges are budget-friendly, suitable for regional deliveries, offering quick turnarounds and cost-effective parcel shipping services.

• Best for: Regional shipments
• USP: Strong presence in Gujarat & West India
• Price: Affordable

Great for intra-state shipments.

How to Check Exact Courier Charges (Step-by-Step)

Since courier rates fluctuate and vary by PIN code, using a digital shipping calculator is the easiest way.

Step 1: Gather Basic Shipment Details

Keep these ready:

• Pickup PIN
• Delivery PIN
• Weight (actual)
• Dimensions (for volumetric weight)
• Whether COD is required

Step 2: Use a Shipping Calculator

You can use online calculators to estimate costs instantly.

Tools include:

• Courier company rate calculators
• Aggregator platforms
• ILS Portal (Indian Logistics Services) for multi-courier comparisons

The ILS Portal helps eCommerce sellers integrate courier partners with Shopify and streamline shipping operations. Although it does NOT provide rate calculation features in real time, it simplifies order management and label generation.

Step 3: Choose the Right Service

Based on:

• Delivery speed
• Customer location
• COD availability
• Budget

Example:

Express Air is perfect for urgent deliveries but expensive, while Standard Surface is ideal for regular parcels.

Additional Cost Factors You Should Know

Fuel Surcharge: 10–20% added depending on fuel rate fluctuations.

COD Charge: ₹20–₹50 per order, or a percentage of order value.

RTO Charges: If an order is undelivered and returns, you pay full return shipping.

Remote Area Fee: Charged for difficult locations.

Final Thoughts

Courier charges in India can vary widely due to multiple factors like weight, distance, and service type. For eCommerce stores, optimizing shipping costs is essential for profitability and customer satisfaction.

Use courier comparison tables, online calculators, and logistics tools like ILS Portal to streamline shipping operations and reduce errors. As your order volume grows, negotiate rates, track performance, and refine your courier strategy.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How much does a 1kg parcel cost?

Typically ₹80–₹200 depending on city, courier, and service type.

India Post is cheaper (₹50–₹80), while Blue Dart is costlier (₹150–₹250).

2. Which courier is the cheapest in India?

India Post is the most affordable for national deliveries.

Among private couriers, XpressBees and Delhivery offer competitive rates.

3. Why do courier charges vary so much?

Charges depend on:

• Distance
• Weight & volumetric weight
• Delivery speed
• Fuel surcharge
• Company pricing policy

4. How can I calculate courier charges for my shipment?

Use rate calculators from courier websites or shipping aggregators.

Platforms like ILS Portal help manage shipments, but don't provide rate quotes.

5. Which courier is best for fast delivery?

Blue Dart is the fastest for express delivery. Delhivery Express and Amazon Shipping also offer quick service.

6. Are COD shipments more expensive?

Yes. Couriers charge a separate COD fee, usually ₹20–₹50 or a percentage of the cash amount.

7. Does distance affect courier price?

Yes. Longer distances → higher charges due to fuel, handling, and transit costs.