What Details Do You Need to Book a Courier?

To book a courier, you need to provide clear collection details, delivery details, item information, timing requirements and any loading instructions. The more accurate the information is, the easier it is to choose the right vehicle and avoid delays.

For business deliveries, courier bookings often involve more than just a postcode. The courier may need to know the size, weight, access, contact details, delivery deadline and whether the goods require special handling.

Dippo Lills supports UK courier and transport bookings for urgent parcels, business stock, pallets, multi-drop routes, Luton vans, curtain-side vehicles and 7.5T transport.

Collection Address

The collection address is where the driver needs to collect the goods from.

You should provide:

• Full collection address
• Collection postcode
• Contact name
• Contact phone number
• Business or site name
• Collection opening times
• Any loading bay or goods-in details

If the collection is from a warehouse, office, shop, site or event venue, include any access instructions before the driver arrives.

Delivery Address

The delivery address is where the goods need to be taken.

You should provide:

• Full delivery address
• Delivery postcode
• Contact name
• Contact phone number
• Delivery opening times
• Goods-in or reception details
• Any booking-in reference if required

For business deliveries, the delivery site may have rules for loading bays, security, PPE, delivery notes or timed slots. These should be shared before booking.

Item Details

Item details help the courier understand what is being moved.

Include:

• Type of goods
• Number of items
• Whether items are boxed, loose or palletised
• Whether goods are fragile
• Whether goods are stackable
• Any handling instructions
• Whether photos or paperwork are required

For example, “3 boxes” is not enough information if the boxes are large, heavy or fragile. A better description would be “3 boxed machine parts, each approx. 60cm x 40cm x 40cm, total weight 80kg.”

Weight and Dimensions

Weight and dimensions are very important when booking a courier.

You should provide:

• Length
• Width
• Height
• Total weight
• Weight per item if possible
• Pallet size if palletised
• Whether items can be stacked

This helps avoid sending the wrong vehicle. It also helps prevent failed collections, overloading and unexpected costs.

Vehicle Required

If you know the vehicle required, tell the courier when booking. If you are not sure, send the dimensions and weight so the courier can advise.

Common vehicle options include:

• Small van
• Medium van
• Large / XLWB van
• Luton van box
• Luton curtain-side
• 7.5T vehicle

A small van may be suitable for documents, parcels and light goods. A Luton or 7.5T vehicle may be needed for pallets, bulky goods or larger commercial loads.

Collection Time

The courier needs to know when the goods will be ready.

Useful timing details include:

• ASAP collection
• Morning collection
• Afternoon collection
• Fixed collection time
• Collection window
• Site opening times
• Latest possible collection time

If the goods are not ready when the driver arrives, waiting time may apply.

Delivery Deadline

The delivery deadline tells the courier how urgent the job is.

Examples include:

• Same day
• Next day
• Before 10:00
• Before 12:00
• Before 17:00
• Timed delivery slot
• Delivery by appointment

Same-day courier work is usually priced differently from planned next-day or flexible delivery because the job needs faster vehicle availability.

Loading Requirements

Loading details are important, especially for pallets and bulky goods.

Tell the courier if:

• A tail-lift is required
• A pump truck is required
• Forklift is available at collection
• Forklift is available at delivery
• Goods are on ground floor
• Stairs or lifts are involved
• Manual handling is required
• There are access restrictions

For heavy pallets, check whether a forklift is available. A tail-lift has a weight limit, and not every pallet is suitable for tail-lift handling.

Access Restrictions

Some sites are not easy for larger vehicles.

Mention any restrictions such as:

• Low bridges
• Narrow roads
• Height barriers
• Parking restrictions
• Loading bay booking
• Security gate
• PPE requirements
• Residential access
• City centre restrictions
• Congestion charge or toll zones

This helps the courier choose the right vehicle and avoid delays.

Proof of Delivery Requirements

Proof of delivery is important for business courier work.

POD may include:

• Signature
• Photo confirmation
• Delivery note
• Receiver name
• Time of delivery
• Site stamp where available

If your customer requires a specific type of POD, tell the courier before the job starts.

Information Needed for a Pallet Delivery

For pallet deliveries, provide extra detail.

You should include:

• Number of pallets
• Pallet size
• Pallet height
• Pallet weight
• Whether pallets are stackable
• Whether goods are wrapped
• Whether forklift is available
• Whether a tail-lift is required
• Delivery booking reference if needed

This information helps confirm whether a van, Luton, curtain-side or 7.5T vehicle is suitable.

Information Needed for Multi-Drop Delivery

For multi-drop courier routes, provide details for every stop.

Include:

• Full list of delivery addresses
• Contact details for each stop
• Delivery time windows
• Item details for each drop
• Any special instructions
• POD requirements for each delivery

A clear delivery list helps the route run more smoothly and reduces missed deliveries.

Why Accurate Booking Details Matter

Accurate details help prevent:

• Wrong vehicle being sent
• Failed collections
• Delays at collection or delivery
• Extra waiting time charges
• Goods not fitting
• Loading problems
• Missed delivery windows
• Poor communication with the receiver

A courier quote is only as accurate as the information provided.

Need Help Booking a Courier?

Dippo Lills helps businesses book UK courier deliveries with the right vehicle and clear delivery information. Whether you need a same-day courier, pallet delivery, multi-drop route or larger transport job, we can help advise the best option.

Send us the collection address, delivery address, item details, weight, dimensions and timing requirements. We can help arrange the right courier support for your delivery.