E-commerce, which is a short form of electronic commerce, it’s the action of buying or selling products on the Internet. E-commerce has become the largest sector of the electronics industry, it’s ruling the world now. Amazon is the biggest E-commerce company that is dominating the world, you can find almost anything on Amazon. Other than Amazon, many other brands have gotten quite famous.
People who sell their products on the Internet earn quite well, as people who buy things from the Internet enjoy the easement. I mean, who doesn’t like every little thing to be delivered to their doorstep as it saves time?
When one buys a product online, there are many stages that the product has to undergo before it is received on your doorstep. The first step after placing the order is confirming it, then it will be dispatched and shipped. After those stages, it will be delivered to you.
Here is a video that lets you have a peek inside the Amazon Fulfillment Center, where you will see your order undergo different stages.
Dispatch means that the seller has packed and sent your order to the delivery company. After that, the delivery company sends the order for processing, which includes packaging and labeling, as well as invoice and arrangement of all the documents that are necessary for shipping.
Thereafter comes shipping, which means that the order is ready for it to be shipped via land, truck, sea, or air. Shipping basically means that the order is on its way to the given destination. Moreover, shipping means that the order has been delivered to your local courier office.
The clear difference between dispatch and shipped is that dispatch refers to a process that is done by the seller in which they pack and send the order to the delivery company. Shipped refers to your order being delivered to your local courier office.
Your local courier office then will be responsible for delivering your order to your doorstep.
Understanding the Distinction: Dispatch vs. Shipped
One gets notified when your order is dispatched, and dispatch is the most simple part of the process. The process generally includes packing the product and arranging all the documents that are required for shipping, which includes an invoice.
The dispatch part is also called the pre-production stage. The shipping label that you see, which has all the details of the purchase, is also done during the dispatch part. Usually, on every step, the buyer is notified; thus, it’s quite easy to estimate how many days you will get your order.
Here is a table for the difference between dispatch and shipped.
| Dispatch | Shipped |
| It means that your order is being packed to be sent to the delivery company | It means that your order is received by the distribution center or the courier office |
| It’s the first stage | It’s the second last step |
What are dispatch and shipment?
Basically, dispatch means packing and sending the order to the delivery company and shipment means that the order is being properly packed by the delivery company and they are also arranging the document which includes invoice.
There are three terms that you will see the most, which are dispatch, ship, and delivery. These are the three steps that every order has to undergo.
Dispatch is the first step, it includes packing the order and sending it to the delivery company.
The shipping is the second step, where the delivery company processes the order, which includes proper packaging and arranging all the documents. The delivery company also does the invoice.
Delivery means that the order has been successfully delivered to you.
Moreover, you may get notified when the order is in shipment and when the order is shipped; both of them refer to different stages. Shipment means that the order is out for shipment; this stage includes packing your order and arranging the document. Shipping means that your local courier office has received the order.
When you get notified, and it says that your order is being processed, then it means that your order is being dispatched and is getting ready for shipment.
What does it mean when a package is shipped?
Shipped is a different stage than delivered. When the notification says “shipped” it means that the order has been loaded on a truck and is departed for the local courier office or the distribution center. It basically means that your order could be between the origin location and the destination.
Shipping, shipment, and shipping are three stages that follow after the dispatch stage.
Here is a list of all the stages that your order has to undergo:
- Confirmation call.
- Dispatch.
- Shipment.
- Shipped.
- Delivery
What does it mean when the package is being dispatched?
Dispatch is the first step after confirming the order via call or email. Dispatch includes packing of your order and then it is sent to the delivery company where they further process your order.
After dispatching, the delivery company properly packs your order in order to avoid any damage, and then the documents are arranged, which means invoice. The invoice includes all the information that is required for shipment.
What happens after an item is dispatched?
Dispatch is the first step, in which the seller confirms the order via email or call, and if you confirm the order, it will be packed and will be sent to the delivery company.
After dispatch, as the product is sent to the delivery company, they will carefully pack your product to avoid any damage which can happen during the whole process of shipping. The delivery company, after packing your order, will take care of all the documents like the invoice which is important as it is consist of all the information that is needed for shipping.
After that, they will load your parcel on the truck, cargo plane, or ship. Furthermore, your parcel will be received by the distribution center or the local courier office. Then the courier office will deliver your parcel to your doorstep.
The courier office often takes time to deliver your parcel. Thus, if you are in a hurry, you can call your local courier office to deliver the parcel early, or you can go to the office and receive it.
When the courier office receives your parcel, they usually call you to ask you to be present at the given address to receive the order.
When you place the order, in the last step, there is all the information, like your order number and the total amount, it also tells you in how many days your order will be delivered to you.
To Conclude
- E-commerce is the electronic buying and selling of products online.
- Dispatch is the seller’s first stage, sending the order to the delivery company.
- Delivery companies properly pack and label products.
- Shipping indicates the order is en route to its destination.
- “Shipped” means the order has reached your local courier office or distribution center.
- Buyers receive notifications at each stage of the process.
- Shipment is when your order is on its way to the courier office.
- Dispatch also involves confirming the order via call or email.