What an aspiring Indian courier company owner would have to do:
You could operate your own courier firm or select a well-known franchise business.
With a rise in online shopping, trade among countries, exports, imports, and a growing volume of international courier shipments to India, the country continues to see tremendous growth in this industry.
Almost everyone uses courier services in India to send or receive parcels, packages, and documents both nationally and internationally to or from schools, colleges, universities, educational institutes, retailers, traders, manufacturers, and organizations, besides private use too.
Given the escalating demand for these services in all industries, many individuals consider venturing into the courier industry as a wise long-term investment to start their own courier service company.
Yes, a courier business can be very profitable if managed properly. The need for shipping services never goes away.
Here are the key factors that will influence your courier company’s profitability:
For new entrepreneurs, it can be more effective to become part of an established courier business rather than invest money to build a vast logistics network. This could lead to higher investment and losses during the beginning stage.
There are various courier franchise opportunities that you can consider in India. These can reduce your risk in the business, as you benefit from a known brand and a global presence.
The following are the basic steps that every entrepreneur should follow to run an efficient and successful courier business in India:
If your business model plans to cover international shipments, then finding the right international logistics partner would also be crucial, as it would be related to international shipment formalities such as export documentation and clearance.
Anyone planning to start their own courier business must obtain the necessary courier business registration. Your courier company can be registered in any of the following forms depending on your budget and requirements:
Other registrations that you need are GST registration, PAN, business bank account, and shop and establishment registration. International couriers will have to acquire the DGFT license too, which will be discussed later.
When trying to figure out how to begin a courier company in India, a key part is understanding the business registrations you need to comply with. Of course, this may vary based upon if you solely provide service within the country.
For example, if you want to operate a purely domestic business, you’ll have to get registered for GST with the tax authorities if the revenue turnover crosses specific limits set by them. The registration allows your firm to run in compliance with the law, collect GST from clients and deposit it with the authorities. In the case of international courier business owners, you’ll need to apply for an IEC code with DGFT in order to have the legal authorization to import / export goods to or from India.
Any budding entrepreneur will be keen on figuring out the amount needed for starting a courier company. This will differ for individuals depending on the size of their operation, service area, and logistics setup.
| Expense | Estimated Cost |
|---|---|
| Business registration | ₹10,000 – ₹50,000 |
| GST and compliance | As applicable |
| Office setup | ₹50,000 – ₹2,00,000 |
| Delivery vehicles | ₹80,000 – ₹8,00,000+ |
| Computers and software | ₹40,000 – ₹2,00,000 |
| Packaging materials | ₹25,000 – ₹1,00,000 |
| Staff salaries | Depends on team size |
| Marketing and branding | Variable |
Vehicles and facilities can be a significant part of your investment.
Depending on your budget and service offering, it could include anything from 2-wheelers for local deliveries to large delivery trucks for huge shipment loads.
Additional facilities include secure warehousing space, packaging supplies, barcode scanners, customer service software, and shipment tracking software.
Starting your own business means total control over the operations, marketing, customer services, and the type of operations you deal with, but at the same time you will need to invest more in capital, infrastructure, and in the marketing of the brand.
Franchising a courier company means using an established name to begin your business, which comes with its set of advantages like access to a customer base, proven business models and operations, and technology.
Thus, when comparing the best courier service in India for international shipment or for domestic purposes, the franchise model should be looked at for quick startup and minimum risk.
Some of the popular international courier services in India include Atlantic International Express, FedEx, DHL, Aramex, UPS, TNT, and of course the globally established international partners of local Indian courier brands.
The best service for international delivery depends on the customer’s requirements, such as shipment size, delivery timeline, destination, and of course budget.
So, one should evaluate service coverage, tracking facilities, shipping expertise, customer support, customs clearance help, and overall price when deciding the best courier for international shipping.
India has more than hundreds of established courier companies along with a multitude of small local operators that serve a specific city or region.
Besides many established Indian courier firms, various multinational logistics giants also operate in India’s booming market for courier services.
The process of successfully starting and managing an e-commerce delivery company in India is an exact, well-planned, and time-consuming method with adequate research on market trends, a clear business strategy, a proper operational structure, the integration of technology, and establishing client relationships.
It's possible for someone who wants to launch their own venture or become part of an established business by taking a franchise route, depending on their capital and risk appetites. For interested entrepreneurs who would like to try their luck in the e-commerce delivery business and look for franchising options, Atlantic International Express may be an ideal fit, as we offer global logistics services too.
Prepare a courier business plan, register a courier business, obtain GST registration, logistics. Courier business in solo/ courier franchise business.
Certainly, Courier companies generate money with a courier business because of E-commerce, Exports, Corporate business, and increasing courier demand both domestic and global.
Cost of vehicles for a courier business, Courier business in solo/courier franchise business, office, technology, labour, etc.
Yes, in case of export to an international country, one requires an import-export code from DGFT.
We can say there are so many courier businesses that render services of various types of courier, like local, regional, and international courier services in India.
