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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Last updated: 22 June 2026Published: 19 June 2025

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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Direct Shipping

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Related Terms

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Direct Air Connectivity Reefer Ports

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CAFTA-DR – Direct Transport of Aluminum Goods

Incoterms Direct Shipment

Containerized Cargo Handling

Check transit time: city-to-city index

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