The three parties
The seller (a shop, D2C brand or marketplace seller) needs parcels picked up and delivered. The courier companies (Delhivery, Blue Dart, DTDC, Xpressbees and so on) own the trucks, hubs and delivery staff. The aggregator sits in between: it signs contracts with couriers, builds or rents the booking software, and sells shipping to sellers.
Why sellers use an aggregator instead of going direct
- One login and one wallet instead of a separate account with each courier
- The cheapest or fastest courier for each pincode, not one courier for everything
- Lower minimum volumes than a direct courier contract
- One COD report and one invoice instead of five
- Someone local to call when a parcel goes missing
How money flows
For prepaid parcels, the seller usually recharges a wallet with the aggregator, and each booking is deducted at the aggregator's selling rate. The aggregator pays the courier at its own contract rate. The difference is the aggregator's margin.
For cash-on-delivery parcels, the courier collects cash from the buyer, remits it to the aggregator on its own cycle, and the aggregator pays it on to the seller after deducting any agreed charges.
What an aggregator needs to run
Courier contracts, a team that handles pickups, NDRs and disputes, and software that ties it together: rate comparison, booking, labels, tracking, wallet, COD and invoices. Building that software is the most expensive part, which is why most new aggregators rent it.
Frequently asked questions
Is a courier aggregator the same as a courier company?
No. A courier company moves parcels with its own network. An aggregator resells several couriers' services through one platform.
Do aggregators need a licence?
Courier aggregation in India generally needs normal business registration and GST. Check the specifics for your state and setup with a chartered accountant.