For an online store, the courier is part of the product. It decides whether the parcel arrives on time, what the customer pays at checkout and how painful a return is. Choosing a courier partner is less about who is cheapest on one parcel and more about which one fits the way your store works. For an overview of the courier companies operating in South Africa, see our list of the top courier companies.
1. Does it plug into your store?
If your store runs on a platform such as Shopify or WooCommerce, check whether the courier, or a shipping platform that books it, integrates directly. A good integration shows live rates at checkout, creates the waybill automatically and sends tracking to the customer, which saves time on every order.
2. Which delivery options can you offer?
Customers increasingly want a choice between door delivery and a cheaper locker or pick-up point. A partner that offers both, or a shipping platform that combines several couriers, lets you give shoppers that choice at checkout.
3. How does it handle returns?
Returns are part of selling online. Ask how a customer sends a parcel back, who pays, and how quickly returned stock reaches you. Easy returns reduce the hesitation that stops people from ordering.
4. What happens when a parcel is lost or damaged?
Read the claims terms before you sign. Check the default liability limit per parcel, whether you can buy additional cover for valuable items, and how long claims take to settle.
5. Can it reach your customers reliably?
Coverage and delivery times vary by area. Look at where your customers actually are, then ask for the courier’s typical delivery times to those areas, including outlying towns.
6. Will it grow with you?
As volumes grow, you may want collections from your premises, account rates and, eventually, warehousing and fulfilment. Ask what the partner offers at your next stage, not only today.
Run a trial before you commit
Send a batch of real orders through two couriers over a few weeks and compare delivery times, failed deliveries and customer complaints. Real performance beats any sales pitch. To keep costs down while you do, see our guide on how to find the cheapest courier service.
Frequently asked questions
Should a small online store use one courier or several?
Starting with one is simpler. A shipping platform lets you use several couriers through one account as you grow.
Do I need a contract with a courier?
Not to start. Many couriers and platforms let you pay per parcel, and accounts with negotiated rates come later.
Who pays when a parcel goes missing?
The courier’s liability is usually capped. Buy additional cover for valuable parcels.
How do I show delivery costs at checkout?
Use a courier or shipping platform that integrates with your store and returns live rates.
Can couriers collect from my home business?
Many do, often for a small fee or free above a minimum number of parcels.
Originally published in July 2024. Updated September 2026.
