Not all urgent shipments are suitable for OBC (On Board Courier). Here’s why:
Cargo restrictions
- Size and weight: OBC relies on carrying items onboard, so it’s generally limited to hand-carried or lightweight shipments.
- Restricted items: Dangerous goods such as flammable, explosive, liquid, or chemical items are usually not allowed for personal carriage by airlines.
In short, OBC is not a universal replacement for express delivery—it’s suitable only for carry-on, airline-permitted items.
Time and cost considerations
- OBC requires a dedicated person to accompany the shipment, which is more expensive than standard courier or air freight.
- For ordinary urgent shipments with lower value or consequences, using OBC is often not cost-effective.
- Additionally, arranging OBC involves coordination with flights and personnel, which increases operational complexity.
Operational feasibility and route limitations
- OBC depends on available flight seats and customs regulations, and not all routes are feasible.
- Certain international routes have limited flights or complex visa/customs requirements, making dedicated hand-carry challenging.
- If a route cannot be guaranteed reliably, OBC may not be faster than standard air freight, and may actually increase uncertainty.
Summary
- Suitable for OBC: Original documents, critical contracts, high-value or irreplaceable small items that must be delivered within a fixed time window.
- Not suitable for OBC: Ordinary materials, bulk shipments, large items, hazardous goods, or urgent shipments with low economic or operational risk.
In short, OBC is a high-certainty, high-cost, highly professional solution, and should be reserved for situations where its benefits justify the investment.
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