Stop nodding along to courier jargon: understand your options, compare quotes fairly and get your parcel ready to travel. Terms can vary by carrier and context, so use these plain-English definitions as a confident starting point.
Ready to see the options and prices that apply to your parcel? Start your send here.
What is a parcel, package or consignment?
A parcel is usually an individual item prepared for transport. A package is the wrapped or boxed item; a consignment generally refers to goods sent to another party through a carrier. The precise use can vary across carriers and contexts.
Why it matters: when comparing quotes, check whether the service and quote apply to one parcel or multiple pieces. Example: if you are sending two separately packed boxes to one recipient, ask how those pieces should be entered. Don’t assume “one consignment” always means “one parcel.”
Who are the consignor and consignee?
The consignor, often called the shipper, is the person or business sending the goods. The consignee is the intended recipient. Why it matters: enter the right names and contact details so the carrier can identify who is sending and receiving the parcel. These terms describe the parties, not the parcel itself.
What does freight mean?
Freight can mean goods being transported or, in some contexts, the charge for transporting them. Example: a document referring to “freight” might be talking about the cargo or the transport charge. Check the sentence around the word before comparing it with a parcel quote.
What is the difference between dispatched, in transit and delivered?
These words describe different points in a parcel’s journey, and tracking labels can vary between providers. A shipment record or label being created does not, by itself, prove the carrier has received the parcel. “Dispatched” often means it has been sent onward; “in transit” means it is progressing through the carrier’s network and may include time at a facility. “Out for delivery” signals a later delivery stage. “Delivered” records a completed delivery status.
Why it matters: don’t treat every scan as proof of handover or final delivery. Example: if tracking shows shipment information was created, look for an acceptance or pickup scan to tell whether the carrier has taken possession. If a status is unclear or shows an exception, check what action is needed rather than guessing.
What is the difference between business days and calendar days?
Calendar days count every day on the calendar. Business days count days treated as working days for the service, and weekends or public holidays may be handled differently. Before you rely on a quoted day count, ask what kind of days it means, when counting begins and whether weekends or public holidays are included. A day count alone does not tell you the full counting rule.
What are a waybill and an air waybill (AWB)?
A waybill is a transport document associated with shipment details and carriage. An air waybill, often abbreviated AWB, is used in air-transport contexts. The document or reference can help identify a shipment and follow its progress. Keep the reference you receive; don’t confuse having shipment paperwork with proof that a parcel has been accepted.
Which courier abbreviations should you learn first?
- AWB — air waybill, a transport document used in air-cargo contexts.
- POD — often means proof of delivery, such as a delivery receipt or confirmation. Ask what proof will be available.
- ETA — estimated time of arrival. Treat it as an estimate, not a delivery guarantee.
- COD — often means cash on delivery. Don’t assume what payment method a sender or carrier means. Moveka is cashless; pay on delivery means a digital payment confirmed before the parcel is released.
Why can parcel size matter as well as weight?
Some quotes can take parcel dimensions into account as well as its physical weight. This may be described as volumetric or chargeable weight. Why it matters: a large, light box may be assessed differently from a compact parcel of the same physical weight. Measure and weigh your packed parcel, then check what the quote uses before comparing options.
How do you prepare a parcel before handover?
- Check the recipient’s name and phone number, and include specific delivery directions.
- Describe the contents accurately and pack the item securely inside sturdy packaging.
- Measure and weigh the parcel after packing so you can give accurate details when comparing options.
- Keep the tracking or waybill reference, and check what delivery or handover confirmation will be available.
You don’t need to master every logistics term to make a confident choice. Moveka is Kenya’s largest courier and one of Kenya’s most deeply connected courier networks. Check the options and prices that apply to your parcel, then take the next step.
