Question 1

Does the Exchange choose the load prices?

Accepted Answer

We don't regulate or get involved in load prices. You decide your rates and negotiate them directly with the load-poster. If you don't know what price to quote on a load, you can use our average price per mile guide found in our Help Centre.

Question 2

Can I see all my activity and income earned on the Exchange?

Accepted Answer

The Exchange makes it easy to manage your account either using our desktop platform or Driver app. Within our desktop and Driver app, the Diary lets you review all your load history like bookings acquired/loads sold and the income generated.

Question 3

How do I pay subcontractors on the Exchange?

Accepted Answer

Before allocating a load to a subcontractor on the Exchange, you must agree on rates and payment terms with the other member. After they’ve completed the load and provided you with the necessary PODs and invoices, you will pay them just like you would any other member on the Exchange.

Question 4

Can I generate PODs using Courier Exchange?

Accepted Answer

You can generate electronic PODs (Proof of Deliveries) on our Driver app. With an e-signature feature included in the app, you can present PODs to your load-poster with zero fuss. Remember: having a POD is crucial to getting paid. Without one, there's no actual proof that you’ve successfully completed the load.

Question 5

Can I rely on Courier Exchange members?

Accepted Answer

Before we grant someone access to our platform and Exchange community, we initiate a rigorous vetting process. By checking their insurance documents and licenses, we ensure that they're fit to operate on the Exchange. We also require them to register their business on Companies House.  

 

Looking up a member's reputation is easy. Everyone is left a "feedback rating" after they've completed a load or made a payment. You can get a good idea of the member's level of professionalism by visiting their rating when deciding to work with them.

Question 6

Does Courier Exchange monitor the feedback members receive?

Accepted Answer

We cannot guarantee a precise standard of performance on the Exchange. It is solely our members’ responsibility to operate professionally. If a member has received a particularly poor rating they don’t agree with, they have the option to dispute it by raising a complaint. At this point, our complaints team investigates the matter on behalf of the member who raised the complaint. Once an agreement is reached, they will be informed of the outcome by our team.

Question 7

How do I protect my existing customers if I join the Exchange?

Accepted Answer

Once you’ve joined the Exchange, all our members fall under the protection of our Rules, regulations and General Policies of the Exchange. To learn more, read our Rules, Regulations and General Policies of the Exchange.

Question 8

What is Courier Exchange?

Accepted Answer

Courier Exchange is the UK’s leading freight exchange platform for same-day courier and express delivery. With 7,000+ trusted logistics companies in our network, it’s the perfect place to find thousands of daily load opportunities, build lasting business relationships and reach profit goals with our digital tools and solutions.

Question 9

How is Courier Exchange different from other load boards?

Accepted Answer

Courier Exchange isn't just a load board. Behind the technology is a large team with 20 years' experience in market-leading freight tech. Our membership includes over 7,000 vetted logistics professionals across the UK, Ireland and Continental Europe. 

 

With easy TMS and Telematics integration, digital accounting tools, digital PODs and invoicing, real-time maps and a free mobile app, you’ll enjoy full control of your business with profitable opportunities. Members have access to account managers, onboarding, training academy, customer services and complaints teams – all teams working hard to help you grow your business on the Exchange.

Question 10

Is the Courier Exchange only for national operators?

Accepted Answer

Whether you're an owner driver, courier company or forwarder, you can choose to work nationally or internationally. Our network consists of over 7,000 members across the UK, Ireland and Continental Europe. You have the freedom to decide how far you'd like to travel when transporting loads. Whatever your preference, national or international, Courier Exchange can work for you.

Question 11

Can my company join Courier Exchange?

Accepted Answer

We'd love you to join our trading community.  

It's as easy as, 
1. Registering your business on Companies House;  
2. Providing us with the following documents relevant to your business type (owner driver or courier company):
1 x valid Driving License  
2 x proof of address dated within the last 2 months  
Your private limited company (Ltd) registered on Companies House   
3. Completing our 30-minute online training.

Question 12

What do I need to join Courier Exchange?

Accepted Answer

- 1 x valid Driving License 
- 2 x proof of address dated within the last 2 months 
- Your private limited company (Ltd) registered on Companies House

Question 13

Who is trading on the Exchange platform?

Accepted Answer

There are two kinds of traders operating on the Exchange: 

1. Load posters 
Load posters are members looking for carriers to move their freight. Once a suitable carrier is chosen and a rate established for the load, the poster will accept the quote and allocate/sell the load to the carrier.  
 
2. Carriers  
Carriers quote on loads according to their vehicle specifications, location and availability.

Question 14

How much does it cost to join Courier Exchange?

Accepted Answer

Starting at £56.95, we have several packages with features and tools suited to your business type, size and goals. Give us a call today to choose the right plan for your business. 0208 896 6728

Question 15

Are there other costs involved in joining the Exchange?

Accepted Answer

Aside from an accreditation fee of £169, there are no additional costs. We don't take any commission or brokerage fees on the profit you make using our Exchange. Power to you!

Question 16

What happens if I cancel a booking on the Exchange?

Accepted Answer

You can cancel a booking if you need to, but should you cancel after the load poster has already accepted your quote and allocated the load to you, you will be liable for a cancellation fee. This cancellation fee is between you and the other member – we don’t get involved. Always check the member's payment terms and conditions as well as cancellation policies before accepting a booking.

Question 17

How do I get paid for the loads completed on the Exchange?

Accepted Answer

The load poster will pay you once: 

- You've successfully delivered the load; 
- You've captured the load recipient's E-signature and checked with the load poster on how they prefer to receive PODs (either as a hard copy or digitally through our driver app); 
- You've submitted your invoice and POD to the load poster according to their instructions. (Some may ask you to post a hard copy of each to their chosen address before they can pay you.) 

The load poster will have payment terms (30 or 45 days from invoice/end of the month), so pay attention to this before accepting the booking as this is when you can expect payment.

Question 18

How do I access the Exchange platform?

Accepted Answer

The Exchange platform can be accessed using your desktop PC’s web browser or your mobile phone’s web browser. All you need to log in is your username and password.  

The system is cloud-based, making it extremely convenient for the busy fleet manager or owner driver out on the road. Only once you’ve completed your online training and supplied us with the necessary documentation, will we be able to give you access to the platform.

Question 19

How do I move a load on the Exchange?

Accepted Answer

The great thing about our smart load-matching system is that you don't have to worry about looking for carriers. They'll find you. If a load posted to our Exchange matches the specifications of a carrier's vehicle size, location and their availability, the carrier will receive this real-time load alert and be able to quote on it. From there you can either accept the quote or negotiate by phone call, email or using our built-in freight messenger.

Question 20

How do I get booked for a load on Courier Exchange?

Accepted Answer

The load alerts you receive as a carrier will all depend on your van's location and availability. You can use your Driver app to quote on loads that suit you. The parameters in which you receive load opportunities all depends on how you've set up your notification preferences. If you're looking for a load on your way back, so you don't return empty, you can also arrange this by using the 'Journeys' feature on the app.

Question 21

How do I quote on a load posted to Courier Exchange?

Accepted Answer

Quoting for loads is easy using our desktop platform or app. If the load poster accepts electronic quotes, you should see a green button on the load card that says, "Quote Now". Other members prefer receiving quotes via email or phone call, so read the load instructions carefully. Most of the time, quotes are accepted electronically using the "Quote Now" button.   

You must receive confirmation that your quote is accepted, and you've secured the load before attending any collection point.

Question 22

Do I have to stay online all day?

Accepted Answer

To make the most of the opportunities available on Courier Exchange, we recommend that you keep your GPS tracking on for your app so you can receive alerts throughout the day. As most of your time is spent on the road, using the mobile app to search and quote for loads is the best way to keep a steady supply of work. When you're done for the day and going home, you can turn off your tracking and update your status availability to "I'm unavailable". When you're ready to start quoting on loads again, update your status and ensure that your GPS tracking is on to receive load alerts.

Question 23

What does Courier Exchange do with the information it holds about its members?

Accepted Answer

Courier Exchange is committed to protecting sensitive data and personally identifiable information it holds about its members. All our data on members is protected by our Privacy Policy and our Rules, Regulations and General Policies of the Exchange.

Question 24

Who can see my personal information on the Exchange?

Accepted Answer

Courier Exchange is a secure network. Your contact details are only visible to other members of the Exchange. The other members operating on the Exchange can see your van insurances like goods in transit and public liability as well as your up-to-date licenses.

Question 25

How much can I earn on the Exchange?

Accepted Answer

You set or negotiate your rates directly with the load-poster. We can provide you with an average price per mile guide based on your van specifications, but the rest is decided by you.

Question 26

How busy will I be on the Exchange?

Accepted Answer

Our platform comes with an extensive directory for relationship-building opportunities. By advertising your live availability to our Exchange, you are opening yourself up to loads posted by 7,000 other members. By using the Journey solution on the platform or mobile app (Future and Return Journeys), you can tell our system where you’re going so we can match you to suitable loads on your way back.

Question 27

What documents and insurances do I need to join?

Accepted Answer

For insurance, you must have:  

- Hire and Reward Insurance for the transportation of other people’s goods (specific to light haulage or courier use); 
- If you already have business insurance, it must state that your business is either courier or haulage; 
- Goods in Transit Insurance with a minimum cover of £5,000; 
- If you wish to expand your courier activities into Europe, you must have CMR insurance (Convention Relative au Contrat de Transport International de Marchandises par la Route).  
- If you offer specialised services, you will need ADR (Alternative Dispute Resolution), FORS (Fleet Operator Recognition Scheme) and Waste Transportation Insurance, among others.  

In addition to having the correct insurances, you will also need: 
1 x valid Driving License 
2 x proof of address dated within the last 2 months 
Your private limited company (Ltd) registered on Companies House  

If you need insurance, give them a call on (number) and mention us to get the best rates and tailored insurance for your business type. Courier Exchange has partnered with Business Choice Direct (BCD) to provide our members with the best rates for courier and haulage insurance.

Question 28

What van size do I need to operate on the Exchange?

Accepted Answer

It all depends on what you feel comfortable driving. Being the biggest freight exchange in the UK, you’re lucky because you have thousands of load opportunities for smaller vans up to Luton vans.  

Keep in mind that larger vans mean higher operating costs, but you are not restricted to smaller loads, so your profit opportunities are wider.

Question 29

Can I use my car on the Exchange?

Accepted Answer

Unfortunately, we don’t accept cars on the Exchange. The companies on our system prefer vehicles not to have any windows where the goods are on display. A van is more professional and better suited to running a courier business.

Question 30

How much does it cost to join?

Accepted Answer

The minimum membership registration is 6 -12 months, subject to an accreditation fee, and payment is taken upfront for your chosen membership duration.

Question 31

Where can I get a van to join the Exchange if I don’t have one?

Accepted Answer

We’ve partnered Voce Van Hire, Empire Van Hire and Flex Drive Ilford to give our members the best rates on leasing vans. For the best insurance rates, contact Business Choice Direct (BCD) and mention the Exchange.

Question 32

Do you have contracts?

Accepted Answer

We have a network of over 7,000 vetted logistics companies who post thousands of loads daily to the Exchange. While most of these loads are ad-hoc/one-off, long-term relationships are often formed off the back of these loads. Contracts for regular/recurring loads do exist on the Exchange, but they aren’t as common as one-off posted loads.

Question 33

When will I be paid?

Accepted Answer

Payment terms are clearly shown on member’s posted load and you can see it before quoting. On average, 90% of our members pay 30 days from invoice/end of the month and 5% pay as soon as 7, 14 and 21 days from invoice/end of the month.  

You can make use of our feedback system to find companies who are rated highly for paying early or on time according to their payment terms. You can view any member’s payment rating before working with them.

Question 34

Will I have to load/unload the van myself?

Accepted Answer

This will be specified on the load requirements when posted. This information can, however, be discussed with the load poster directly when negotiating your booking rate.

Question 35

How old can my van be?

Accepted Answer

We recommend that the van be no older than 5 years, however, we have no van age restriction when it comes to joining the Exchange. If the van is in good working order, looks presentable and has the required insurances, there won’t be any issues. The colour of the van doesn’t matter either.  
 
Please remember, the condition of your vehicle is often one of the first things a customer sees, so having a clean and well-maintained vehicle will likely lead to repeat bookings. Reliability is essential if you want to make sure you provide the best service.

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