NAICS 492 - Couriers and Messengers

Industries in the Couriers and Messengers subsector provide intercity, local, and/or international delivery of parcels and documents (including express delivery services) without operating under a universal service obligation. These articles may originate in the U.S. but be delivered to another country and 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, car, small truck, or van.

• Focus on delivery of small parcels and documents that can be handled by one person without specialized equipment.
• Includes intercity, local, and international courier services without a universal service obligation.
• Distinguished from larger transportation industries by restriction to small parcels and mechanized sorting.
• Messengers typically operate within metropolitan areas using bicycles, foot, cars, or small trucks.
• Services may include both direct delivery and contracted local pick-up and delivery operations.

• Pickup and delivery of small parcels and documents within urban or metropolitan areas.
• Intercity and international express delivery services for time-sensitive materials.
• Sorting and mechanized transportation of parcels to optimize delivery routes.
• Contracted local pick-up and delivery supporting larger courier networks.
• Use of bicycles, foot messengers, cars, vans, or small trucks for last-mile delivery.
• Secure handling and tracking of confidential government documents.
• Real-time shipment tracking and proof-of-delivery services.
• Coordination of delivery schedules to meet government agency deadlines.

• Independent courier companies specializing in local and regional delivery.
• Express delivery services providing intercity and international parcel transport.
• Small messenger services operating within metropolitan areas using non-motorized vehicles.
• Logistics providers offering contracted pick-up and last-mile delivery support.
• Small and minority-owned businesses focused on government procurement opportunities.
• Specialized courier firms handling secure and confidential government documents.