Best 10 Cash on Delivery Shipping Services in India

Sanidhya Negi / September 14, 2024

In India, while digital payments are growing, many customers still prefer the traditional cash on delivery method, especially in tier 2 and tier 3 cities. This makes it crucial for businesses to choose reliable COD service providers who can ensure smooth transactions and customer satisfaction. Whether due to trust, familiarity, or convenience, cash on delivery companies play a key role in expanding business reach. 

If you’re looking for dependable COD service providers in India, we’ve curated the top 10 companies that excel in cash on delivery shipping.

What is Cash on Delivery Service?

A Cash-on-Delivery (COD) service means the customer pays for the product at the time of delivery, either at their home or office. Traditionally, this payment is made in cash, but with the growing popularity of digital payments, many courier companies now offer online payment options for COD orders as well.

Factors to Consider When Choosing COD Courier Services

There are many companies in India that offer cash on delivery courier services. However, you need to focus on several factors before choosing one for your business. Some of these factors are mentioned below.

Service Reach: Look for a courier service with wide coverage, especially in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities. A cash on delivery courier service with a vast network ensures your packages can reach even the most remote areas. This makes sure your customers have a smooth experience, no matter where they are located.

Early Remittance: Many cash on delivery shipping providers take up to 2 weeks to send you the collected COD amount. To avoid delays in your cash flow, look for a service that offers early COD remittance. Some companies transfer the amount in 2-3 days. This helps you maintain a steady cash flow and making it easier to manage inventory.

All-in-One Dashboard: Managing your business is easier with a dashboard that handles everything in one place. A unified platform lets you track shipments, confirm addresses, and settle COD payments efficiently. This is especially useful if you’re dealing with large volumes of COD orders. Therefore, look for a courier partner that offers you a unified dashboard.

Affordable Pricing: Pricing plays a crucial role when choosing the cheapest COD courier service in India. Rates may vary depending on different routes, so keep an eye on the prices offered by cash on delivery shipping companies. 

Top 10 Cash on Delivery Shipping Services 

To provide cash-on-delivery options to your customers, you need courier partners capable of managing COD deliveries in your service areas and pin codes. Here are some top delivery partners that offer reliable COD courier services.

Bigship

Bigship is a top courier aggregator in India. Apart from being an affordable shipping partner, it offers cash on delivery services to its sellers. Bigship is known for its smooth cash flow management as it offers early COD remittance. Through its early COD remittance, sellers receive their payments within two days of delivery. As one of the cheapest COD courier services in India, Bigship is trusted by many sellers for its efficient cash on delivery services.

Delhivery

Delhivery is a trusted name in the e-commerce logistics space. It offers competitive shipping rates and charges either INR 50 or 2% of the COD value. Delhivery’s transparency and reliability make it one of the top COD service providers in India. It ensures seamless transaction handling between sellers and consumers.

Blue Dart

Blue Dart is one of the most popular cash on delivery courier services in India. Its sophisticated API ensures a smooth process for COD orders which returns the amount to the seller once the customer pays in cash. Blue Dart’s strong reputation and reliable COD management make it a go-to choice for businesses as well as individuals.

Ecom Express

Ecom Express stands out for handling over 70% of its shipments as COD deliveries. Its impressive track record showcases its reliability in managing cash-on-delivery orders efficiently. Ecom Express’s quick 2-day COD remittance system ensures that businesses maintain steady cash flow. This makes it one of the most reliable COD shipping partners for both small and large businesses.

Shadowfax

Shadowfax serves over 7,000 pin codes and has a vast network of more than 1,50,000 delivery partners. Its COD services, which include cash or UPI payments, speed up the delivery process and COD reconciliation. Shadowfax is known for its efficient cash on delivery courier services in India, particularly for businesses that handle large volumes.

DTDC

DTDC is a well-established cash on delivery courier company in India. Its 75% of the customer base consists of e-commerce businesses. DTDC offers a wide range of services, including warehousing and Cash On Delivery. It provides flexible payment options and has built a reputation as a trusted name in the industry for decades.

India Post

India Post is known as the cheapest COD courier service in India. It offers a reliable Cash on Delivery (COD) option for bulk shipments. They collect amounts up to INR 50,000 at delivery for Express Parcel, Business Parcel, and Speed Post services. This makes them a trusted choice for cost-effective and secure COD solutions.

FedEx

FedEx is a global logistics leader. It is known for offering flexible and secure cash on delivery shipping. With real-time updates and transparent processes, FedEx ensures peace of mind for both businesses and customers. Their nominal fees and reliable services make them a top choice as a courier company offering COD services in India.

XpressBees

XpressBees has integrated a robust Cash On Delivery (COD) system. This has enabled their customers to assess their products before making payments. Their efficient system builds trust between buyers and sellers. Thus, making XpressBees one of the top cash on delivery courier services in India.

Ekart

Ekart which is owned by Flipkart, offers reliable COD services across 4,000 pin codes in India. With over a decade of experience managing COD orders, Ekart provides some of the most competitive rates in the industry. This ensures smooth delivery and cash reconciliation for e-commerce businesses.

Importance of Cash On Delivery Courier Services

Cash on Delivery (COD) courier services have become a vital payment method in e-commerce. This option has gained significant popularity due to its convenience and security for customers. Let’s explore why COD services are crucial for businesses aiming to improve customer satisfaction and expand their reach.

Boosts Sales Volume: COD helps increase sales by providing a secure payment option for customers who are hesitant to use online payment methods or debit/credit cards. It gives these customers a safer way to buy, especially when trying new or less established brands, which leads to higher sales volumes.

Eliminates Fraud Risks: COD minimizes the risk of payment fraud for customers. Since they pay only when their order is delivered, they can avoid the hassles of getting a refund if the product doesn’t arrive. This creates trust in customers when making a purchase.

No Reliance on Cards: COD allows customers to make purchases without needing to depend on debit or credit cards. This is particularly beneficial for customers in suburban or rural areas who may not have access to or be familiar with digital payment methods. It simplifies the buying process, making it more accessible to a wider audience.

Builds a Competitive Edge: By offering COD, businesses can improve customer satisfaction and loyalty. As customers feel more secure in their purchases, they are more likely to return, giving businesses a competitive advantage. COD also helps build brand goodwill and position companies as customer-friendly and reliable.

Conclusion

Cash on Delivery (COD) services are an important part of e-commerce as they offer customers a safe and convenient way to pay for their orders. By providing flexibility and security, COD helps businesses expand their reach and build trust with their customers. With the right courier partner, companies can ensure a smooth and efficient payment process, while boosting customer satisfaction and building loyalty. Whether for established brands or new ventures, COD plays a vital role in growing business success across India.

FAQs

Ques: Why is COD necessary in courier services?

Ans: COD is necessary in courier services because it provides a secure payment option, builds customer trust, and increases sales by serving those who prefer paying after receiving their orders. 

Ques: Does every courier aggregator offers COD services?

Ans: Not all courier aggregators provide the necessary support for COD orders. When selecting a fulfillment company, ensure they offer COD services if that’s an essential requirement for your business. However, Bigship offers COD services with early remittance.

Ques: What do you mean by COD Reconciliation?

Ans: COD reconciliation refers to the process of matching billing records with completed COD orders. The carrier collects payment after delivery. Once multiple COD orders are fulfilled and payments are received, the transactions can be finalized.

Ques: Do courier companies charge any fee for using COD services?

Ans: Yes, cash-on-delivery services in India usually come with a fee. The fee varies based on factors like the courier company, delivery location, shipment weight, and the total order value.

Ques: Which is the best COD courier service provider in India?

Ans: Bigship stands out as one of the best COD courier service providers in India as it offers fast remittance and reliable service. Other top options include Delhivery, Blue Dart, and DTDC, known for their efficient COD handling.

Ques: What are the problems with cash on delivery service?

Ans: Some of the common problems that Cash on Delivery can encounter include payment delays, return complications, and tracking difficulties.