1. Overview of Courier API Integration in UAE
The UAE and Kingdom of Saudi Arabia are dynamic markets in the Middle East with one of the highest purchasing power in the world and eCommerce companies are betting on the region’s growth. While both countries have a conservative reputation, neither is dismissing the importance of technology. Through the development of startup companies and the introduction of foreign brands into the nations, eCommerce is booming and so are its allied industries.
As online shopping operates without a physical presence, usually, there needs to exist infrastructure that can get the product on the screen to the door; and that is where shipping companies step in. The increasing number of online orders being made in the UAE and Saudi Arabia has inevitably created opportunities for shipping companies to pop up and grow.
However, since eCommerce is a technological venture maintaining a virtual presence, the digital ecosystem integrates with courier services through software known as Application Programming Interface or the API. The API extends the functionality of courier companies to the eCommerce business so they can manage fulfillment and delivery of their orders as and when required.
API integration is essentially the establishment of a connection between two parties. In this case, a courier company, and an online store need an API integration to help them execute several functions without having to deal with each other physically. In this blog, we will discuss top courier companies that offer integrations for eCommerce businesses, integrations on offers, and what services you can use to help your business get the best out of your shipping experience.
2. Top 20 Best Courier/Shipping/Logistics API Integration Service Provider Companies in UAE and Saudi Arabia
2.1) Aramex
Aramex is a major shipping company operating in the Middle East. This company has access to over 220 countries around the world. This shipping company provides shipping solutions to startups, SMBs, and even large companies. This carrier offers allied services such as warehousing, supply chain management, and several fulfillment services.
2.2) Saudi Post
Saudi Post is a postal and shipping company owned by the Government of Saudi Arabia and headquartered in Riyadh. This company operates under the Ministry of Communications and IT and is popularly known as “al-Bareed” in the region. Saudi Post offers several services for online businesses including order delivery, tracking along with allied services such as COD and multi-location order pickup.
2.3) Barq Express
Barq Express also known as Al Barq Express is a logistics company operating in the Middle East region. This company offers dedicated shipping solutions for eCommerce businesses such as order tracking to know the location of the product and COD follow-up to ensure faster remittance. This carrier is AI-enabled for route optimization to ensure safer, faster deliveries.
2.4) Naqel Express
Naqel Express is a logistics service provider based in Riyadh and operating in 12 countries across the Middle East. This carrier offers eCommerce shipping solutions through its 3000+ strong fleet of delivery vehicles, more than 3500 logistics professionals, and handles 4 million shipments per year. The shipping company also offers fulfillment services such as warehousing, management of inventory, and transportation of cargo.
2.5) UPS
United Parcel Service or UPS is a leading global logistics company with operations in 220 countries around the world. This shipping company provides eCommerce businesses with access to over 250 distribution facilities around the world as well as 25 million sq. ft. of warehouse space. This carrier offers several solutions for eCommerce companies such as delivery, distribution, warehousing, contract logistics, and more.
2.6) FedEx
FedEx is a global logistics solutions provider founded in 1971. It offers a host of shipping and fulfillment services to online commerce companies in the UAE and Saudi Arabia with a reach of more than 220 countries. This carrier offers services such as delivery and storage as well as industry-specific solutions for businesses of several domains.
2.7) Zajil Express
Zajil Express is a courier service headquartered in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. This carrier was established in 1999 and offers a wide range of services including shipping, supply chain management, packaging, quick deliveries, and more. Zajil Express covers the whole of Saudi Arabia through its 120 branches along with a branch in Dubai to serve the UAE and offers dedicated solutions for eCommerce companies to help them reach the entire nation.
2.8) Saee
Saee is a logistics company based in Saudi Arabia. This company is a startup venture founded in 2015 and as of 2021 had delivered over 3 million shipments. This carrier works with more than 3000 delivery agents to offer its services in the Middle East. This shipping company offers several 3PL and delivery services to eCommerce companies including warehousing, reverse logistics, and quick delivery services.
2.9) Esnad Express
Esnad Express is a logistics company based in Saudi Arabia that was founded in 2012. This company provides shipping services to eCommerce companies that require feasible solutions that fit their budget. This carrier operates in the Middle East region providing domestic and international shipping solutions. This service provider offers logistics solutions such as supply chain management, order tracking, customs clearance, warehousing among others.
2.10) Emirates Post
Emirates Post is a government-owned courier service based in the UAE. This carrier has a network of more than 115 post offices in the Middle East. This courier company offers several eCommerce logistics solutions in the region which include marketing, financial services, multi-shipping, and scheduled delivery services.
2.11) DHL
DHL is a Germany-based logistics company with a presence in over 35 countries. This carrier offers tailored shipping solutions to eCommerce companies based in the Middle East and provides them with access to numerous countries across the globe. It offers shipping and 3PL services such as warehousing, distribution, customs clearance, security of shipments, as well as insurance.
2.12) Qatar Post
Qatar Post is a Doha-based shipping company owned by the Government of Qatar. This carrier offers dedicated eCommerce services to businesses in the Middle East which include warehousing, documentation, and inventory management. This company gives businesses access to more than 200 countries around the world including Saudi Arabia and the UAE.
2.13) Fetchr
Fetchr is a delivery service that offers shipping solutions for small businesses in the Middle East. This service provider uses an app-based platform to extend several capabilities to businesses such as order tracking, inventory management, and hyper-local deliveries. This shipping service also provides businesses with access to international markets by facilitating cross-border eCommerce.
2.14) Careem
Careem is a subsidiary of ride-hailing company Uber, headquartered in Dubai. It is a ride-hailing and delivery solutions provider operating in more than 15 countries in the Middle East, Africa, and South Asia. This company offers suitable logistics solutions for small eCommerce businesses at affordable rates.
2.15) SMSA Express
SMSA Express is a Middle Eastern shipping company with over 20 years of industry experience. This carrier provides access to more than 220 countries and offers several services to eCommerce companies such as warehousing, order fulfillment, freight management, supply chain management, and several third-party logistics services.
2.16) Postaplus
Postaplus is a Kuwait-based logistics company that was founded in 2005. This company services the Middle East region with dedicated solutions for eCommerce businesses. This carrier has renowned delivery and mailroom management services, along with a popular warehousing solution for eCommerce companies in the UAE and Saudi Arabia.
2.17) Shipa Delivery
Shipa is a Dubai-based shipping company with a significant presence in the Middle East. This company is a major third-party logistics provider with dedicated solutions for eCommerce ventures in the UAE and Saudi Arabia. This provider operates in over 100 countries around the world and facilitates cross-border eCommerce.
2.18) Fodel
Fodel is a logistics solution provider based in Dubai. Established in 2017, this company is a startup that seeks to revolutionize the last-mile delivery experience in the Middle East. Fodel, a portmanteau of Forward Delivery, operates over 2500 pick-up locations in the region and offers affordable, fast, and convenient delivery solutions to eCommerce businesses.
2.19) Yakit
Yakit is a Silicon Valley venture that offers eCommerce shipping solutions to businesses. This company aims to improve access to cross-border eCommerce and provides clients with services including tax calculation, compliance, and route optimization. This carrier offers intuitive solutions for eCommerce businesses at affordable prices and helps them track orders in real-time, receive reports and analytics, and ensures a smooth delivery experience.
2.20) Jeebly
Jeebly is a logistics company headquartered in Dubai, providing cutting-edge last-mile logistics in the Middle East. This company offers several solutions for eCommerce businesses in the region such as omnichannel pickups, reverse logistics, quick deliveries, and COD options to facilitate online business in the UAE and Saudi Arabia.
3. List of Shipping API Integrations Offered by Courier Partners in UAE and Saudi Arabia
Markets like the UAE and Saudi Arabia are witnessing a technological boom. To leverage the best that tech has to offer, eCommerce companies need to understand what is on offer and how they can benefit from it. Here is a list of shipping API integrations offered by courier companies in the UAE and Saudi Arabia to help you understand which services suit your needs the best.
3.1) Rating API
A rating API gives businesses access to the available services for shipping a particular product both domestically and internationally. Such logistics API integration displays corresponding shipping rates for a particular order based on type and specification.
3.2) Tracking API
A tracking API allows businesses to trace the product and delivery status of the product which can then be directed to the end-consumer through the platform. This API integration allows eCommerce companies to integrate real-time eCommerce order tracking details, be aware of the product’s location, and help them determine the estimated time of delivery.
3.3) Billing API
A billing API enables the generation of Air Waybills or AWBs that act as a contractual document of shipment between the companies. An AWB is also used as a receipt of goods and is used for tracking the product.
3.4) Proof of Delivery API
Proof of Delivery API is offered to enable businesses to validate the delivery of their orders to the end-consumer. This is an intuitive shipping API for eCommerce as it allows the collection of signatures electronically and, thus, sending proof of delivery within seconds of delivering the product to the final destination.
3.5) Notification API
Notification APIs are used to inform businesses and end-consumers of the status of orders placed on an eCommerce platform. Notifications deliver updates on devices to ensure that various stages of the shipping process are monitored.
3.6) Cancellation API
A cancellation API allows eCommerce customers to place cancellation requests for their orders which can directly be transferred onto the shipping partner.
4. ClickPost Universal API services with shipping partners in UAE and Saudi Arabia
ClickPost is a logistics intelligence platform that offers end-to-end shipping management solutions to eCommerce businesses. The platform offers integrations with more than 120 carriers, as well as online storefronts like Shopify and Woocommerce.
ClickPost helps eCommerce businesses manage their online orders across multiple delivery partners through a single unified platform and helps improve the success rate of deliveries.
ClickPost’s universal API offers the following integrations with shipping partners in the UAE and Saudi Arabia:
4.1) Order manifestation API
The order manifestation API integration enables eCommerce companies to create an order with the courier partner of their choice.
4.2) Shipping label generation API
The shipping label generation API enables the generation of the air waybill or AWB, the shipping label, and allows businesses to place the pickup request for the order from the same platform.
4.3) Shipment Tracking API
The shipment tracking API enables users to trace the location of the order using the AWB with the help of the courier partner.
4.4) Cancellation API
The API for cancellation allows faster returns through a request to cancel a shipment that has been manifested with the shipping partner.
4.5) Estimated Date of Delivery API
An EDD API enables users to check the approximate date of delivery of the product to the end consumer. The estimated delivery date can be viewed on the checkout page.
4.6) NDR Action Update API
The NDR Action Update API is used to update the post-NDR action directly on the shipping partner’s database.
4.7) Returns API
The Returns API can be used to track a returning shipment using the air waybill and the shipping partner through the use of web-hooks.
5. Benefits of courier API integration in UAE and Saudi Arabia
Courier API integrations enable businesses to communicate between systems without hassles. A shipping API for eCommerce can be used to share information on a variety of stages during the shipping process between the eCommerce company and the shipping partner. Integration also ensures that there is little scope for error in the shipping process through maintenance accuracy of data across multiple platforms, and instantaneous transfer of information about the orders.
Logistics API integrations also allow eCommerce companies to collaborate with shipping partners without having to deal with every step of the delivery process manually. Through integrations, automation in the shipping process can be used to improve the efficiency of the operation and ultimately improve consumer satisfaction.
6. Final conclusion
Shipping API integration is an intuitive way of managing communications between digital platforms. Logistics API integrations allow businesses to interact with partners hassle-free. APIs can be used to perform a variety of functions for both an eCommerce platform and a shipping company, allowing them to work with each other efficiently and effectively.
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