How does ShipNetwork handle residential vs. commercial delivery?

ShipNetwork handles residential and commercial deliveries by using intelligent shipping data and carrier routing algorithms to identify the destination type and optimize the delivery process. This helps ensure that each package is shipped using the most efficient method while taking into account delivery speed, cost, and service-level requirements.

When an order is processed, our system identifies whether the destination is a residential or commercial address based on address validation tools and carrier classification data. This distinction is important because it affects shipping rates, transit times, and available services. Residential deliveries often incur additional fees or require different handling than commercial locations due to accessibility and scheduling considerations.

ShipNetwork works with a network of national and regional carriers to choose the best service option for each delivery type. For residential shipments, we prioritize cost-effective ground services that still meet your delivery promise, including the use of final-mile partners for suburban and rural areas. For commercial addresses, we leverage carriers that specialize in business delivery, which can include time-definite service or dock-to-dock fulfillment.

Our system also considers accessorial charges like liftgate service, inside delivery, or limited access delivery, which are more common with commercial destinations. These fees are factored into our rate shopping and carrier selection tools so your brand avoids unexpected costs and maintains consistent shipping margins.

By intelligently managing the differences between residential and commercial deliveries, ShipNetwork ensures that your products are delivered quickly, affordably, and with the right level of service. This reduces delivery delays, improves customer satisfaction, and helps you scale your operations across different customer types and locations.