SMS for logistics and courier companies

Bulk SMS for courier and logistics companies

Tell consignees when a parcel is booked, out for delivery or held at the hub, and capture delivery OTPs, from your own registered header.

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Express and surface courier networksLast-mile delivery partners for e-commerceFranchise courier countersPart-load and full-truckload transporters3PL and warehousing operators

Courier SMS showing an out-for-delivery message with rider details and a delivery OTP, followed by a delivered confirmation

How do courier companies use SMS for deliveries?

Courier and logistics companies send SMS at each scan event: pickup confirmation to the shipper, booking with the AWB number, out-for-delivery with the rider's contact and a delivery OTP, failed-attempt notices with a reschedule link, and proof-of-delivery confirmation. These are service implicit messages, so they reach DND numbers and can go out at any hour.

Updated 15 Nov 2026

Key facts: SMS for logistics and courier companies

Channel: Bulk SMS
Best for: Pickup scheduled and picked up; Booking with AWB number; Out for delivery with delivery OTP
SMS categories: Service implicit, OTP
Who it suits: Express and surface courier networks, Last-mile delivery partners for e-commerce, Franchise courier counters, Part-load and full-truckload transporters, 3PL and warehousing operators
Rules: TRAI DLT: registered entity, header and content template for every SMS; promotional SMS only 10 am to 9 pm and not to DND numbers
Pricing model: Prepaid credits quoted by volume, GST extra. How pricing works
Integration: REST API and webhooks (message.delivered, message.failed, message.clicked) into your own software. SMS API

What problems does SMS solve for logistics and courier companies?

Riders reach locked doorsA consignee who did not know the parcel was coming today is at work, so the rider logs a failed attempt and the shipment costs a second trip.

Tracking calls flood the hubBranch phones ring all day with 'where is my parcel' questions that a timely scan alert would have answered.

COD and delivery disputesWithout a delivery OTP or a timestamped confirmation, a customer can claim a parcel never arrived and the shipper raises a debit note.

Which SMS does a courier send on each scan?

Service implicit

Pickup scheduled and picked upTells the shipper or seller when the pickup executive will come and confirms the number of pieces collected.→ Fewer missed pickups

Service implicit

Booking with AWB numberSends the consignee the AWB, expected delivery date and a tracking link right after booking.→ Fewer tracking calls

OTP

Out for delivery with delivery OTPOn the morning of delivery, shares the rider's name and contact plus a one-time code the consignee gives at the door.→ Proof of the right recipient

Service implicit

Failed attempt and rescheduleExplains why delivery failed, such as premises locked, and offers a {#var#} link to pick a new date or collect from the branch.→ More second-attempt deliveries

Service implicit

COD amount and payment receiptReminds the consignee of the cash-on-delivery amount in advance and confirms a UPI payment once received.→ Change ready at the door

Service implicit

Freight and LR updates for B2BSends the lorry receipt number, vehicle number and estimated arrival to the consignee's stores team for part-load and FTL shipments.→ Unloading planned in time

Courier SMS templates for DLT

Copy, edit and use these as a starting point.

Out for delivery with OTPService implicit

Your shipment AWB {#var#} from {#var#} is out for delivery today. Share OTP {#var#} with our delivery partner {#var#} ({#var#}) only at delivery. -{#var#} Express

Failed delivery attemptService implicit

We tried to deliver AWB {#var#} on {#var#} but could not: {#var#}. Choose a new date or branch pickup here: {#var#} -{#var#} Express

B2B consignment dispatchedService implicit

LR No {#var#}: {#var#} packages dispatched from {#var#} on vehicle {#var#}. Expected arrival at {#var#} by {#var#}. -{#var#} Logistics

How does SMS work for logistics and courier companies?

A scan happensPickup, hub in-scan, out-for-delivery or POD is recorded on the rider app or hub scanner.
Your system picks the templateEach scan status maps to one approved DLT template, filled with the AWB, rider and date.
MsgClub delivers the SMSThe message goes out on the service route within seconds, around the clock.
Status flows backDelivery reports and short-link clicks on reschedule links are posted to your system by webhook.

Connect your softwareYour transport management or courier software, or the rider app's backend, calls the MsgClub API on each scan event and receives delivery reports back by webhook against the AWB. SMS API · API and webhooks · Pricing

ComplianceScan alerts and delivery OTPs are service implicit because they relate to a shipment the consignee is expecting. Whitelist your tracking domain on DLT, and do not add offers from the shipper to these templates.

Which other channels suit logistics and courier companies?

Use them together from one account, with shared contacts, reports and webhooks.

WhatsApp for logistics and courier companiesHow do courier companies use WhatsApp for delivery updates?See WhatsApp

RCS for logistics and courier companiesHow do courier companies use RCS messaging?See RCS

IVR for logistics and courier companiesHow do courier and logistics companies use IVR?See IVR

Voice broadcast for logistics and courier companiesHow do courier companies use automated voice calls?See Voice broadcast

Missed call for logistics and courier companiesHow can a courier company use a missed call number?See Missed call

Compare every channel for logistics and courier companies

Questions about bulk SMS for logistics and courier companies

Do courier SMS reach customers on DND?

Yes. Booking, out-for-delivery and delivery messages are service implicit because they relate to a shipment addressed to the customer, so they reach numbers on the NCPR list and can be sent before 10 am, when riders start their routes.

How does a delivery OTP SMS work?

When the parcel goes out for delivery, your system generates a code and sends it to the consignee by SMS. The rider enters the code the customer reads out, which proves the right person received it. Many couriers use this for high-value and cash-on-delivery shipments.

Whose name should appear in courier SMS, ours or the seller's?

The header and sign-off should be the courier's, because the DLT entity sending the message is yours. You can mention the seller's name as a variable, for example 'your shipment from Kavya Home Decor', so the consignee recognises the parcel.

Can we send SMS in Hindi or regional languages to consignees?

Yes. Register Unicode templates in Hindi, Tamil, Marathi or other languages and send in the consignee's language by pincode or preference. Unicode SMS fit fewer characters per part, so keep scan alerts short.

Should couriers use WhatsApp instead of SMS for tracking?

Use SMS for every scan alert, because consignees have not opted in to your WhatsApp and many use basic phones. WhatsApp works well when the customer starts a chat to reschedule, share a location pin or ask for branch pickup.

Can SMS link to a reschedule page?

Yes, as long as the link domain is whitelisted on your DLT entity. MsgClub short links can track who opened the reschedule page, so your hub knows which failed deliveries will be attempted again before the next route plan.