CSF Domestic Delivery: Powering Online Shopping in Trinidad & Tobago

Prominent logistics company, CSF Couriers, based here in Trinidad & Tobago, has been powering the online businesses of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), via its domestic delivery service, since 2018. By utilizing its existing delivery framework, which was primarily for it’s skybox service for overseas online shopping, it addressed a critical need for efficient and reliable delivery solutions for the small, but growing local E-Commerce marketplace.

Forward Multimedia was able to ask Junior Partapsingh, CSF’s Managing Director, a few questions about this service which, according to him, has grown tremendously since inception. There has been almost double growth in number of packages delivered from 2021 to 2022, and so far in 2023, with the busiest season imminent, the service is well set to surpass 2022 numbers.

Junior pointed out that these numbers represent businesses with and without online presence, the moms and pops as well as physical stores that don’t have a website connected to CSF.

Even on the high end, CSF’s delivery rates are very affordable, with the highest delivery rate being $33 TTD per delivery up to 60 lbs. CSF’s rates are volume based via subscription tiers, generously spread out over 6 months.

CSF also ships between the islands, and inter-island shipping rates are an additional $15/package for any subscription level selected. CSF boasts that whether you’re delivering from Port of Spain to Palo Seco or from Scarborough to Signal Hill, CSF charges one flat fee for on-island deliveries and one flat fee for inter-island deliveries.

Overall, the additional surcharge shouldn’t impede inter-island commerce; historically, this logistic has always been a sticking point between Trinidad and Tobago, but it’s not the fault of business, but more the fault of governance.

CSF Couriers also developed their own API for integration with popular shopping carts like WooCommerce and Shopify, allowing for automated ordering process like Amazon. Forward Multimedia has done such integration (see it here on a live site: mivatt.com). While there aren’t many of these integrations at the moment (it’s expensive for now), the service is mostly used manually, as many businesses conduct a brisk trade without a website at all. Instead, they utilize Facebook, Instagram, Whatsapp, even Email, exclusively for orders, then notify CSF via phone/email when a package is ready to be delivered.

While this isn’t ‘pure’ E-Commerce by strict definition, in my opinion, it’s online shopping if I don’t have to leave my house.

Though it would be a nice user experience, there is no absolute need to integrate with your online store. Because CSF’s rates are ‘Flat Rates’, the shipping methods of your online store platform can be easily configured. With a 60 lb limit per delivery, the majority of deliveries would hardly come close. For items that are inherently heavy, your platform’s Shipping Classes can be used to ensure that such items are correctly charged for delivery.

There are generally specialized plug-ins or extensions that allow for more precise configuration of shipping charges to products, and they are also generally affordable.

Unlike the US, our local delivery rates do not allow for an additional mark-up to make significant additional profit off a single delivery. However, it would add to the bottom line in the long term, by say, charging $30-$35 TTD per delivery when on the Premium plan while paying $25 TTD.

There are those without credit cards who will prefer this delivery service. It also shortens the order process as the merchant won’t have to wait for, say, an online banking transfer to come through before delivering. This option allows for faster turnaround time at a mere flat cost of $4.00 TTD.

Like the big guys, CSF includes default insurance coverage, with additional coverage for fragile items available.

Domestic delivery has been around for years in Trinidad & Tobago. However, CSF Couriers has developed their service to keep up with the changing marketplace, particularly as the country moves to more online shopping.