Online shoppers have increasingly high expectations for delivery times, with nearly two-thirds of global shoppers in 2024 expecting items within 24 hours of purchase. Shipping companies use a network of carrier facilities to speed up delivery times.
By learning how a carrier facility works, you’ll understand what goes into the order fulfillment process, so you can increase customer satisfaction with reliable deliveries. When you forge relationships with these facilities, you can make sure your customers stay satisfied with speedy service.
What is a carrier facility?
A carrier facility is a physical location where a carrier (typically USPS, UPS, or FedEx) intakes, sorts, and ships packages. Carrier facilities handle a range of functions, including storage, sorting, scanning, and preparing items for delivery to other warehouses, retail locations, and end customers.
Think of carrier facilities as shipping intermediaries. Carrier facility workers process orders and load them onto delivery trucks headed to the next destination—like a local carrier facility or directly to the customer’s doorstep.
Major shipping carriers in the United States manage their own carrier facilities across the country. For example, an item shipped through the United States Postal Service (USPS) passes through a USPS carrier facility or multiple carrier facilities on its way to a home or retail location.
How long do packages stay at carrier facilities?
Packages typically stay in carrier facilities for a few hours to a few days, depending on the facility and the package’s destination. However, there are exceptions. For example, distribution centers with cross-docking can transfer goods directly between trucks without storing them. On the other hand, supply chain disruptions from busy peak seasons, labor shortages, or natural disasters can cause delays in the delivery process.
You can optimize your shipping and fulfillment process by partnering with a third-party logistics (3PL) provider or finding a program with a network of warehouses. For example, Shopify customers have access to Shopify Shipping to manage fulfillment from a single dashboard while comparing discounted shipping rates from major carriers and their networks of facilities.
Carrier facilities cycle
Packages go through a series of steps in carrier facilities on the way to their final destination:
1. Intake
First, carriers receive shipments from freight trucks or other delivery vehicles often picking up packages from secure drop-off sites. For example, packages dropped off at a preferred UPS Access Point are then sent to a UPS carrier facility.
Intake can include inspecting the condition of items, ensuring proper storage, and completing necessary paperwork, like a bill of lading. This form provides detailed information about the shipment and outlines terms between the shipper and carrier for the legal transfer of goods.
2. Sorting and scanning
Once a package has arrived at a carrier facility, it’s scanned and sorted by destination. This involves an inventory management system and automation tools to efficiently organize incoming deliveries.
For example, smart shelves—with sensors to track products—can monitor inventory levels automatically. At this stage, warehouse workers can add additional shipping labels to make the scanning process easier down the line (like when delivery drivers scan packages for proof of delivery).
3. Tracking
Most US online shoppers now expect to track their packages in real time, with major carriers offering visibility into shipment locations and estimated delivery times through unique tracking numbers.
When packages arrive at a warehouse, workers scan their barcodes, triggering automatic updates for customers.
These updates include delivery window estimations and statuses like:
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Arrived at carrier facility
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Left the carrier facility
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Out for delivery
4. Loading
This stage involves loading packages onto outbound delivery trucks or vans, grouping those destined for the same region or area onto the same delivery vehicle.
This stage depends on the packages’ destination—whether they’re going to their final stop or another carrier facility. Larger orders may be loaded onto freight trucks with a forklift, while individual orders are typically placed onto smaller delivery vans for final delivery.
5. Delivery
This delivery process can involve trucks going directly from carrier facilities to final shipping addresses. Alternatively, packages can be delivered to a smaller carrier facility, where vans or cars perform last-mile delivery for local areas.
Delivery drivers transport packages from carrier facilities to other warehouses, office buildings, retail stores, and residences using route optimization software. This ensures the fastest, most efficient routes for timely deliveries.
6. Confirmation
Once the delivery is complete, customers and ecommerce merchants receive a confirmation email or message from the carrier. At this stage, delivery drivers provide proof of delivery through recipient signatures (physical or electronic) or photos of packages at their destinations. You can protect your brand reputation by using this proof to confirm successful delivery.
Carrier facility FAQ
How long does it take from a carrier facility to delivery?
It depends on the order and destination, but items typically arrive from a carrier facility to the recipient within a few hours to a few days.
What does it mean when your package is with the carrier?
When a package is “with the carrier,” that means it’s in the hands of a shipping carrier like UPS or FedEx.
What’s the meaning of “left the carrier facility?”
“Left the carrier facility” is an update customers can expect when tracking shipments. It means the delivery has gone through processing and been shipped from a carrier facility toward its intended destination.
Can you pick up packages from carrier facilities?
Typically, carrier facilities are not open to the public, since they contain industrial machinery.
