Most businesses ship in two directions: stock to other businesses, and orders to individual customers. These are B2B and B2C shipping, and they work differently.
B2C shipping
B2C (business-to-consumer) shipping delivers orders to people’s homes. Parcels are usually small and light, volumes can be high, and customers expect speed, tracking and a smooth delivery experience. Cash on delivery and returns are common.
B2B shipping
B2B (business-to-business) shipping moves goods between companies — a manufacturer to a distributor, or a warehouse to a store. Consignments are larger, often multi-box or palletised, and travel with invoices and e-way bills. Reliability and correct paperwork matter more than doorstep convenience.
Key differences
| B2B | B2C | |
|---|---|---|
| Shipment size | Large, multi-box, pallets | Small, single parcels |
| Delivery point | Warehouses, shops, offices | Homes |
| Paperwork | Invoice, e-way bill (above threshold) | Shipping label and invoice |
| Typical mode | Courier, PTL, FTL | Courier |
| Customer expectation | Reliability and schedule | Speed and tracking |
Which do you need?
Many growing businesses need both. With ENVOI you can compare rates for B2C parcels and B2B consignments from the same account, and move to PTL or FTL as volumes grow.