Certain shipments require more than standard drop-off. High-value items, fragile goods, and sensitive materials introduce operational risks that basic delivery services are not designed to handle.
White glove delivery is a premium logistics service designed for these scenarios. Unlike standard delivery, it includes inside placement, careful handling, unpacking, inspection, and in some cases, assembly or installation. The goal is not just transportation, but controlled execution from pickup to final setup.
In this guide, we’ll break down exactly what white glove delivery includes, how it differs from standard delivery, what it typically costs, and when businesses should consider using it.
Table of Contents:
- What Is White Glove Delivery?
- What Is Included in White Glove Delivery?
- White Glove Delivery vs Standard Delivery
- How Much Does White Glove Delivery Cost?
- When Should Businesses Use White Glove Delivery?
- How Airpals Supports Same-Day White Glove Delivery
- Key Takeaways
- Choosing the Right White Glove Delivery Provider
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What Is White Glove Delivery?
White glove delivery is a premium delivery service designed for items that require careful handling and final placement. Instead of ending at the doorstep, the service continues inside the destination to ensure the item is positioned correctly and completed according to specific requirements.
It is most commonly used for high-value, fragile, large, or heavy business items where careful handling and final placement matter just as much as the delivery itself.
What Is Included in White Glove Delivery?
While services may vary by provider, white glove delivery typically includes the following:
Inside Delivery
The item is delivered inside the building, office, showroom, or facility, rather than being left at the curb or entrance as with standard delivery.
Room-of-Choice Placement
Instead of leaving placement to the recipient, the delivery team positions the item in the exact room or area requested. This is especially important for heavy equipment, medical devices, or large fixtures that cannot be easily moved after drop-off.
Unpacking and Inspection
Most white glove services remove exterior packaging so the item can be visually inspected upon arrival. This step helps confirm that the shipment arrived in proper condition and reduces post-delivery handling risks.
Assembly or Basic Installation
Depending on the service agreement, white glove delivery may include light assembly, attaching components, or basic setup.
Debris Removal
Packaging materials are removed before completion. This is particularly valuable in offices, healthcare facilities, and commercial environments where cleanliness and workflow continuity matter.
Not every white glove service includes full installation or technical setup, but most go beyond simple transportation to ensure completion at delivery.
White Glove Delivery vs Standard Delivery
White glove delivery and standard delivery differ primarily in scope and responsibility. While both services move items from one location to another, the level of handling and completion at the destination differs.
Standard delivery typically ends once the shipment reaches the entrance of a building. The carrier transfers the item to the recipient, and any further movement, unpacking, or setup becomes the customer’s responsibility.
White glove delivery, on the other hand, continues beyond the point of arrival. The delivery team brings the item inside, places it in the specified room, removes packaging, and may complete basic assembly or setup depending on the agreement.
Below is a simplified comparison:
| Feature | Standard Delivery | White Glove Delivery |
|---|---|---|
| Drop-off location | Curbside or entrance | Inside location specified by recipient |
| Item placement | Not included | Room-of-choice placement |
| Unpacking | Not included | Included |
| Assembly | Not included | May be included |
| Packaging removal | Not included | Included |
| Best for | Routine shipments | High-value, fragile, or critical items |
Businesses searching for a white glove service near me are typically looking for this higher level of completion, not just transportation, but full delivery execution.
How Much Does White Glove Delivery Cost?
White glove delivery costs vary depending on the size of the shipment, the level of handling required, and the distance involved. Unlike standard shipping, pricing reflects not only transportation, but also the additional labor and coordination needed to complete the service properly.
The main factors that influence white glove delivery cost include:
- Item size and weight
- Number of delivery professionals required
- Inside placement and floor access (elevators, stairs, etc.)
- Assembly or basic installation requirements
- Distance and urgency (same-day vs scheduled)
Because a white glove delivery service includes unpacking, placement, and sometimes assembly, it typically costs more than standard delivery. However, for many businesses, the higher upfront cost reduces overall risk.
When Should Businesses Use White Glove Delivery?
Businesses typically use a white glove delivery service when the item being transported is critical to operations, sensitive to damage, or requires proper placement upon arrival.
Common scenarios include:
- Pharmaceutical and medical manufacturing
- Electronics and technology hardware
- Apparel and retail showrooms
- Art, design, and specialty manufacturing
In these environments, improper handling or incomplete delivery can disrupt operations, compliance, or client relationships. A white glove courier service ensures that delivery does not end at the entrance. Instead, the shipment is brought inside, positioned correctly, and confirmed before completion.
How Airpals Supports Same-Day White Glove Delivery
When timelines are tight, combining speed with careful execution becomes essential. Same-day white glove delivery requires coordination, trained handling, and full visibility from pickup to completion.
Airpals supports white glove courier services through its same-day delivery model, offering:
- Scheduled pickup
- Secure loading with appropriate vehicle capacity (SUV, van, or truck)
- Real-time tracking and status updates
- Couriers trained in specialized handling requirements
- Proof of delivery and confirmation
When proper handling matters as much as delivery speed, Airpals provides a white-glove delivery service built for business use.
Key Takeaways
- White-glove delivery goes beyond standard drop-off. It includes inside placement, unpacking, inspection, and, in some cases, basic assembly or setup.
- The main difference between standard and white-glove delivery is responsibility. Standard delivery ends at the entrance, while a white-glove delivery service ensures the item is positioned and completed properly at the destination.
- Cost reflects additional handling and coordination. While white-glove delivery typically costs more than standard shipping, it can reduce overall operational risk for high-value or fragile items.
- Airpals combines same-day courier service with white-glove delivery standards to help businesses move complex shipments with control and visibility.
Choosing the Right White Glove Delivery Service
As businesses prepare for peak demand, office expansions, equipment upgrades, or time-sensitive installations, logistics reliability becomes a strategic advantage. White glove delivery provides the level of care, coordination, and control required for business-critical shipments, especially when timelines are tight and execution matters.
Choosing the right white glove delivery service means working with a provider that can combine careful handling with visibility and speed. Airpals supports white glove courier services across more than 100 U.S. cities, integrating same-day delivery with real-time updates, live support, and proof of delivery, helping businesses gain confidence and visibility at every stage.
Coordinate your next white-glove shipment with Airpals. Fast, reliable, and hassle-free.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is white glove delivery?
White glove delivery is a premium delivery service that includes specialized handling, inside placement, unpacking, and optional assembly or installation. It ensures high-value or delicate items arrive safely, are positioned correctly, and are ready for immediate use, reducing operational risk, delays, rework, and post-delivery handling for businesses and professionals alike.
What is a white glove courier?
A white-glove courier is a trained professional responsible for transporting, handling, and completing high-touch deliveries. Beyond transit, they manage placement, inspection, coordination, and confirmation at delivery, ensuring accountability, condition, security, and service-level expectations are met for sensitive, valuable, or time-critical shipments.
What are white glove service examples?
White glove service examples include equipment delivery with installation, electronics setup, artwork handling, and laboratory instrument placement. These scenarios require careful handling, scheduled coordination, inside delivery, and confirmation that items are secure and correctly positioned upon arrival for immediate use.
What happens during white glove delivery?
During white glove delivery, couriers pick up the item, transport it securely, coordinate arrival, deliver inside, unpack, inspect, assemble if needed, and place it correctly. Packaging debris is removed, condition is verified, and proof of delivery is provided, ensuring readiness, accountability, and minimal disruption to business operations or staff workflows.
How long does white glove delivery usually take?
White glove delivery timing depends on distance, service level, and urgency. In same-day scenarios, pickup to completion typically occurs within hours. Scheduled windows, handling steps, and installation requirements influence duration, but real-time coordination and tracking help meet tight timelines for business-critical shipments during peak operational periods or seasonal demand cycles.
What should I expect from white glove delivery?
You should expect professional handling, scheduled coordination, real-time updates, inside placement, optional assembly, and cleanup. The courier confirms condition, positioning, and completion before departure. This approach reduces risk, internal workload, delays, and post-delivery issues, providing reliability, visibility, and confidence for high-value, sensitive, or time-critical business shipments across locations.
