Understanding A Carrier Facility: Your Complete Guide

Shipping can get a little confusing. There are several terms that you may not be familiar with yet, such as "carrier facility." If you're an online seller, knowing what's going on behind the scenes can help you better explain delays to customers.

This guide breaks down everything you need to know about these facilities, how they work, and why tracking matters for your business.

Key Takeaways

• A carrier facility is where packages are scanned, sorted, and sent out for delivery.
  
  
• Most packages pass through more than one facility before reaching their final destination.
  
  
• Delays at these facilities are usually short. However, they happen especially during peak seasons like Christmas holidays and Black Friday.
  
  
• Understanding the process helps you set better delivery expectations for your customers.

What is a Carrier Facility?

A carrier facility is a processing hub for packages. Once the parcels arrive at a carrier facility, the staff will scan, sort and redirect them toward their final destination.

Every major carrier, like Canada Post, FedEx, or USPS, runs these facilities nationwide. Regardless of the package's destination, be it across town or the border, it'll likely pass through one or more of these along the way.

Are Distribution Centers, Fulfillment Centers, and Carrier Facilities Similar?

They may sound alike, but each serves a different purpose in the logistics and delivery process.

A distribution center is typically a large warehouse storing products in bulk. The items go here before being delivered to retailers, wholesalers, or fulfillment centers. These facilities specialize in moving large quantities of goods. In addition, they aren't usually involved in individual order fulfillment processing.

On the other hand, a fulfillment center is a facility intended for eCommerce businesses. Once the package has arrived, the staff will store your inventory, pick and pack the customers' orders, and apply shipping labels. If the package is ready, the fulfillment center hands the package off to the chosen shipping carrier for delivery.

Meanwhile, the latter, as mentioned, are run by shipping couriers themselves. The packages are logged, organized by destination, and routed to the next stop. Note that some packages may pass through more than one facility before reaching the doorstep of the customer.

In short:

• Distribution centers supply your inventory.
• Fulfillment centers prepare customer orders.
• Carrier facilities deliver them to your customers.

How Does a Carrier Facility Work?

These facilities are all about speed, organization, and logistics. Here's a quick breakdown of the main steps:

1. Package Scanning

When a shipment arrives, it’s scanned into the system. This updates the tracking information so both you and your customer know the facility has received it.

2. Sorting by Destination

Packages are scanned and sorted based on their destinations. Larger hubs often utilize automation to scan and route parcels quickly and efficiently.

3. Routing for Transport

Once sorted, the package gets loaded onto the next delivery trucks, delivery vans or planes, depending on the chosen shipping method. This process gets your package closer to its last stop.

4. Temporary Holding

Sometimes a package sits at a facility due to bad weather, missed connections, or a high volume of packages. It’s normal, but it can cause brief delays in delivery time.

5. Final Dispatch

After the processing, the package is now for transit to the next location. It can either be to another facility, a local delivery station, or the post office for final delivery.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are some of the frequently asked questions about these facilities:

Why Does a Package Sit at a Carrier Facility?

As mentioned, unwanted things can happen, such as:

• Bad weather
• Understaffed
• Too many packages at once

It's common during holidays and peak shopping seasons, such as Black Friday and Cyber Monday. If these happen, prepare yourself and update your customers about the situation right away.

How Long Do Packages Stay Here?

It usually takes less than 24 hours. However, during busy eCommerce fulfillment periods, it can take a couple of days to move.

What Does "Being Processed at a Carrier Facility" Mean?

If you have received this notification, it means that your package is being input into the system and organized in the facility. It's still on the move, and in the middle of its journey.

What Comes After Carrier Facility?

After the package has left the carrier facility, it can proceed to two locations. Depending on how far it still has to travel, it can move to another carrier facility or out for delivery.

Can I Pick Up a Package at a Carrier Facility?

Not usually. Most facilities don’t allow the public to pick up their package there unless it is a specific depot with that option.

Why Package Tracking Matters

If you're selling online, tracking status isn’t just nice to have. It’s essential for you and your customers. Here are the reasons why packaging matters in the supply chain:

Real-Time Visibility

You always know where a package is, even when it's being processed at carrier facility locations. Real-time tracking allows you to address issues promptly. That's a big stress reliever for you and your buyers.

Better Customer Confidence

Don't you feel confident if you can track your package? It's the same way for your customers, especially when they know exactly when their package arrives at the facility!

Fewer Missed Deliveries

It's a lot easier with a tracking number and estimated delivery updates. Your customers can plan to be home or arrange alternate delivery options without being anxious about missing the deliveries.

Faster Problem Resolution

If something goes wrong, you don't have to panic. Knowing when a package arrived at a carrier facility or nearby retail locations helps pinpoint the issue quickly.

Proof of Delivery

A confirmed delivery scan, along with the estimated delivery date, can help settle disputes or refund requests. It is especially true when customers expect to pick up packages themselves.

Final Thoughts

Carrier facilities play a huge role in the shipping journey. Yes, they're mostly behind the scenes. However, knowing how they work gives you a leg up.

Since packages travel through multiple carrier facilities, delays can sometimes happen along the way. This provides you with a proper explanation when customers ask where their package is and why it's taking a bit longer than expected.

From Carrier Facility to Customer — Stallion Makes It Seamless!

Shipping from Canada shouldn't be complicated! With Stallion, a trusted 3PL partner, you get access to:

• Affordable rates (up to 80% discount)
• Full tracking with accurate package status updates
• Smoother process from drop-off to delivery

Whether you're sending one package or hundreds, we help you stay on top of transit times and keep things running smoothly. Plus, our system keeps you informed at every step—even when your shipment is moving through a carrier facility.

Ready to simplify your shipping? Get started with Stallion today!

Jose Sagun

Jose is Stallion's Senior Business Analyst. He helps improve the company’s shipping processes, works closely with delivery partners, and looks at shipping data to find the best prices for our customers. Outside of work, Jose has a passion for running, regularly completing 5k and 10k runs, with the goal of running a full marathon in the near future.