Industries in the Couriers and Messengers subsector provide intercity and/or local delivery of parcels. These articles can be described as those that may be handled by one person without using special equipment. This allows the collection, pick-up, and delivery operations to be done with limited labor costs and minimal equipment. Sorting and transportation activities, where necessary, are generally mechanized. The restriction to small parcels partly distinguishes these establishments from those in the transportation industries. The complete network of courier services establishments also distinguishes these transportation services from local messenger and delivery establishments in this subsector. This includes the establishments that perform intercity transportation as well as establishments that, under contract to them, perform local pick-up and delivery. Messengers, which usually deliver within a metropolitan or single urban area, may use bicycle, foot, small truck, or van.
49211 Couriers
See industry description for 492110 below.
492110 Couriers
This industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in providing air, surface, or combined
courier delivery services of parcels generally between metropolitan areas or urban centers. The
establishments of this industry form a network including courier local pick-up and delivery to
serve their customers' needs.
Illustrative Examples:
Air courier services, except establishments operating under a universal service obligation;
Express delivery services, except establishments operating under a universal service obligation;
Courier services (i.e., intercity network), except establishments operating under a
universal service obligation.
Cross-References. Establishments primarily engaged in
- Providing parcel and express delivery services in addition to mail services under a universal service obligation - classified in Industry 491110, Postal Service;
- Providing messenger and delivery services within a metropolitan area or within an urban center - classified in Industry 492210, Local Messengers and Local Delivery; and
- Providing the truck transportation of palletized general freight - classified in Industry Group 4841, General Freight Trucking.
4922 Local Messengers and Local Delivery
49221 Local Messengers and Local Delivery
See industry description for 492210 below.
492210 Local Messengers and Local Delivery
This industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in providing local messenger and
delivery services of small items within a single metropolitan area or within an urban center.
These establishments generally provide point-to-point pickup and delivery and do not operate as
part of an intercity courier network.
Illustrative Examples:
Alcoholic beverages delivery services; Letters, documents, or small parcels local
delivery services; Grocery delivery services (i.e., independent service from grocery store);
Restaurant meals delivery services (i.e., independent service from restaurant).
Cross-References. Establishments primarily engaged in
- Providing local letter and parcel delivery services as part of an intercity courier network - classified in Industry 492110, Couriers;
- Operating the National Postal Service or providing postal services on a contract basis (except the bulk transportation of mail) - classified in Industry 491110, Postal Service; and
- Providing the bulk transportation of mail on a contract basis to and from Postal Service establishments - classified in Industry Group 4841, General Freight Trucking.
Information courtesy of the U.S. Census Bureau.
