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The terms “shipping” and “delivery” have become more popular with the rise of e-commerce. Online shoppers often assume these two terms are synonymous when, in reality, their meanings are completely different. Whether you’re an online retailer or a consumer, it’s important to note the difference between shipping and delivery. As a retailer, you should be clear about letting your customers know what their shipping and delivery dates are to avoid complaints and unhappy customers. In addition, online shoppers should make sure that they observe both dates when ordering something online in order to avoid disappointment—especially if their item is time-sensitive. We’ve outlined the definition of shipping vs. delivery, so if you’re unsure of the difference, just keep on reading!

What Is Shipping?

There are two main definitions of shipping when it comes to logistics. The first definition speaks to the size of the package. Smaller objects, such as shoes, clothes, and accessories, can fall under the category of shipping since they can be boxed and sent to the customer using a postal service. The second definition refers to when items are required to be sent to customers. As such, consumers can understand the shipping date to be the day on which the item was dispatched and begin making its way to them.

What Is Delivery?

Delivery often refers to larger objects, like major appliances and furniture, which require installation or a delivery person to fetch it inside your home—items that need to be delivered are usually too big to be shipped. Delivery is also the term used to refer to the date on which the package will arrive at the customer’s doorstep. However, this date is usually a general estimate since it’s uncontrollable by the vendor and can be delayed by unforeseen circumstances.