Package delivery

The service is provided by most postal systems, express mail, private courier companies, and less-than-truckload shipping carriers.

In 2019, for example, China, the United States, and Japan were the top countries in terms of package delivery volume while Latvia, Macau, and Iceland ranked at the bottom.

During this period they carried regular mail in addition to the package business, defying the post office monopoly; eventually, a compromise was worked out wherein Wells Fargo charged its own fee on top of federal postage, in recognition of the limitations of the post office reaching all areas easily.

By this time the post office monopoly on mail was effectively enforced, and Wells Fargo had exited the business in favour of its banking enterprises.

Thus at the beginning of the 21st century, the U.S. consumer can choose from a variety of public and private services offering deliveries at various combinations of speed and cost.

Rail and air transport made same-day delivery feasible over longer distances; for example, packages shipped in the early morning can be delivered (at relatively high cost) anywhere in the mainland United States.

In the 2010s, various experimental services launched, using online shopping and retail warehouses or chain stores local to the ordering consumer for fulfillment at relatively low cost.

[16] Some vehicle for hire companies offer courier service and delivery of items ordered online from local vendors.

Delivery of heavy goods, such as furniture or large appliances, requires a different logistical process than most small parcel couriers.

For example, the supply chain of shipping large household goods from their manufacturers, to residential or business locations throughout the country and world is more complex and carries with it a higher potential for damage and error than with smaller packages.

Deliveries to retail stores, restaurants, and other merchants in a central business district often contribute to congestion and safety problems.

It involves the delivery team bringing the item to the room of choice, unpacking and assembling it, and removing all packaging and debris from the customer's home.

[24][25] The individual sorting and handling systems of small parcel carriers can put severe stress on the packages and contents.

[opinion] With the rise of the sharing economy multiple family dwelling with restricted access face difficulties due to increasing volume of deliveries, some of which, such as food, may be time-sensitive.

[29] Recipients often choose to use a high capacity "parcel box" which will store large numbers of items and mail at the same time.

Many delivery vans are not controlled for temperature: Delivered items may sit unattended for hours on porches, on driveways, or in mail boxes.

Potential heat exposure may cause degradation to some pharmaceuticals, live plants, foods, paint, cut flowers, chemicals, etc.