GlossaryEN1 min readUpdated: Jun 22, 2026
Direct Shipping
Direct shipping describes the delivery of goods from the manufacturer or supplier straight to the end customer, bypassing any intermediate distribution centre or warehouse.
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Source: https://www.investopedia.com/terms/d/direct-shipment.asp
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Definition & Explanation
Direct shipping describes the delivery of goods from the manufacturer or supplier straight to the end customer, bypassing any intermediate distribution centre or warehouse. The shipment is picked and packed at the point of origin and transported directly to the delivery address, cutting storage costs and reducing transit time. Without consolidation, each shipment must be organised individually, which raises per-unit costs for low-volume orders. In cross-border direct shipping, import declarations, import VAT, and any applicable restrictions in the destination country must be factored in from the outset – especially for e-commerce shipments to non-EU destinations. Direct shipping is related to but distinct from drop shipping, where a reseller holds the commercial relationship while the manufacturer fulfils the order physically.
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Transit index
Check transit time: city-to-city index
P50/P80 transit times for sea, air and road — sourced and confidence-rated, not a carrier quote.
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