What Is White Glove Service and Is It Right for You?

Updated: 11 February 2025

Businesses and individual consumers use white glove delivery services when they ship or receive products that require special care during processing, delivery and set up. These services often include optional add-ons, like assembly, installation, automatic shipments and more.

While most people use white glove delivery services because they want peace of mind and assurance that their shipment is in good hands, many consumers appreciate the human touch this type of shipment provides.

What Is White Glove Service Delivery?

Some products are too fragile, big or valuable to ship via regular delivery services. White glove companies have the expertise needed to handle these special parcels with the care they require. These shipping options provide an extra level of attention to your shipments and often offer services that go above and beyond what the average delivery company provides.

What Services Do White Glove Shipping Businesses Provide?

Here are some common services you can expect from a white glove shipping service.

1. Safe Packaging

White glove deliveries must meet high standards, meaning their packaging needs to be durable enough to keep products safe during transport. White glove companies often take extra precautions to protect their shipments from damage due to movement or moisture.

They use high-quality materials like:

• Packing peanuts
• Styrofoam
• Bubble wrap
• Wooden crates

2. Assembly and Dismantling

Some white glove service shipping companies offer additional services like assembly and dismantling, which means they assemble your products for you and dismantle any old items you may be replacing. This service ensures items are set up safely and quickly, with minimal effort from the recipient’s end.

3. Excellent Service

Since white glove deliveries offer a more premium service, their employees are trained to ensure your shipments’ safe and timely arrival. They pay attention to detail, answer your questions and use your feedback to improve their deliveries in the future.

Some other ways white glove companies go the extra mile to ensure their customers’ satisfaction include:

• Inspections: Certain companies may have inspections before assembling products, especially for items requiring specialized setups.
• Clean transportation: White glove companies pride themselves on clean and safe shipping vehicles.
• Safe handling: Since white glove delivery experts work with items requiring more attention, they’re trained to handle items delicately based on their needs.

Why Should You Use White Glove Delivery Services?

White glove delivery service includes all the benefits of standard shipping with next-level convenience and care. Consider these advantages:

1. Meticulous handling: Your items receive special care. Expert handlers manage your shipment with utmost precision, safeguarding them throughout every step of the delivery journey.
2. Lower damage risk: White glove service gives you added peace of mind that your item will arrive undamaged. Specialized packaging provides an extra layer of protection, especially for fragile objects.
3. Meets specific requirements: Standard delivery services ensure delivery to the destination, but white glove services go the extra mile. Providers can cater to special instructions like security or unconventional packaging.
4. Special item expertise: White glove delivery suits irregular shipments that traditional services may be unequipped to handle. Examples include fragile, high-value, oversized or unassembled items.
5. Time-sensitive delivery: Normal shipping services can sometimes take longer than desired. If your shipment is time-sensitive, priority white glove delivery can prioritize your delivery. Scheduling deliveries also reduces failed or multiple attempts.
6. Simplify complex operations: Trusting an experienced provider to handle every aspect of logistics can save time and reduce error or loss risk. White glove service teams pay attention to the smallest details.
7. Enhanced customer experience: The special care taken with white glove delivery means items get to your customers on time and in pristine condition. This level of service can increase customer satisfaction. Investing in premium shipping services can help build a loyal customer base.

Who Should Use White Glove Delivery Services?

Who needs white glove delivery services? White glove delivery service is ideal for individual consumers or businesses whose shipments are of high value, perishability or fragility.

Individual Consumers

The internet has changed how consumers browse, select, purchase and receive their products. Online shopping is a booming industry, with 2.64 billion people using this service.

White glove delivery keeps online shopping deliveries safe from damage or theft. For this reason, many individual consumers use white glove delivery services when they order expensive electronics like laptops, cell phones or televisions. Individual consumers might also use white glove delivery when ordering large home appliances — like refrigerators, washing machines and more — so they can opt for stress-free, on-site assembly.

B2C Companies

Business-to-consumer (B2C) companies frequently use white-glove delivery services. For example, a bakery business might use white glove delivery services to ensure safe, speedy delivery of outgoing baked goods to maintain its reputation of fresh, delicious food.

B2B Companies

While white glove delivery services offer many advantages for B2C companies, business-to-business (B2B) organizations should also consider using them. B2B companies serve clients who often expect excellent service and prompt deliveries.

Here are some common examples of how B2B companies can use white glove services:

• Office supplies: B2B companies may have multiple offices that require same-day or overnight delivery. White glove service can handle complex deliveries to many locations at a specified time. If your B2B business provides this extra level of care, offices may choose to support you over a company offering standard delivery.
• Health care supplies: Medical supplies can be sensitive, which means they may benefit from the delicate handling that white glove services provide. For example, white glove professionals can deliver valuable surgical equipment straight to the relevant ward, instead of dropping it off in a loading bay.
• IT equipment: Technology like electronics, servers or networking devices needs specialized handling. B2B companies that sell IT equipment and partner with white glove services can offer their customers safe, reliable and fast delivery.
• High-value items: Businesses that purchase valuable items may not feel comfortable using regular delivery services. Knowing a B2B supplier uses white glove shipping with extra security measures can give these clients peace of mind.

Using white glove services offers many benefits for B2B companies, such as:

• Customer retention: Providing excellent service to your customers and showing them that you prioritize their experience makes them much more likely to support your business again.
• Cost savings: White glove services reduce multiple delivery attempts or damaged items requiring replacement. This reliability can save your business money in the long run.

• Customization: White glove services offer companies and clients the chance to customize the delivery to their needs by considering any special requirements the delivery may have. This extra level of personalization means B2B companies can provide their clients with the precise service they require.
• Competitive advantage: If customers must choose between a B2B brand offering all the benefits of white glove delivery and one that doesn’t, they’re much more likely to select the brand offering the convenience of scheduled deliveries, extra protection, and installation and setup.
• Better brand reputation: Finally, companies offering excellent service — including white glove delivery — may have a better brand reputation, as they make customers feel valued. In certain age ranges, clients value brand reputation more than price.

What Products Benefit From White Glove Delivery?

White glove delivery is necessary to ensure the timely delivery of fresh food and other perishable goods, but many other industries can also benefit. White glove services are useful for these sectors:

• Aviation
• Electronics
• Automotive
• Home furnishing retailers
• Medical and lab equipment
• Retail and eCommerce stores

Electronic Devices

More than 50% of online shoppers buy electronics online four times a year. Whether you are a business manager or individual consumer, your valuable electronics require safe delivery.

Examples of valuable electronics that require protection include:

• Laptop and desktop computers
• Smartphones
• Professional-grade cameras or video recorders
• Tablets
• Computer parts or accessories

With white glove delivery service, your shipment is delivered to the precise spot you want it unloaded or assembled, rather than left on your curb or doorstep, vulnerable to inclement weather or theft.

Medical and Lab Equipment

Hospitals and scientific laboratories depend on white glove delivery services to keep their shipments sterile and secure and to protect them through the process.

For example, a hospital, doctor’s office or treatment center might use white glove delivery services for:

• Ultrasound machines
• MRI equipment
• CT scan machines
• X-ray machines
• Surgery tools and equipment

A science or research lab might use white glove delivery for:

• Biotechnology devices, water baths or imaging systems
• Lab specimen refrigerators
• Lab workstations
• Fragile tools, like microscopes and glassware

 Due to the highly sensitive nature of these shipments, white glove delivery could mean the difference between properly and improperly handled equipment. For businesses that rely on this equipment for daily operations or use special grant funding to pay for these items, safe, on-time delivery is crucial.

Retail and eCommerce

Many retail and eCommerce stores use white glove delivery services to get their products to customers as quickly and safely as possible. For some businesses, this makes all the difference.

Here are some examples of how these businesses can use white glove delivery services:

• On-time deliveries: Sometimes, on-time delivery is necessary for the customer’s peace of mind. For example, if someone has ordered something valuable, they may start to worry that it’s lost if it doesn’t arrive when they expect it.
• Items requiring installation: Whether it’s a TV, mattress or table, many customers would rather support a company that includes installation and configuration in its delivery systems.

Home Appliances and Furniture

Both individual consumers and businesses regularly purchase appliances and large furniture online, such as desks, refrigerators, ovens, wash stations and more. Due to the size and weight of these appliances and furnishings, white glove furniture shipping might be the ideal option. Plus, white glove delivery typically includes on-site assembly upon receipt, resulting in a hassle-free experience for the consumer.

Most major furniture retailers offer white glove delivery to their customers at checkout so the buyer can add furniture assembly and configuration to the cost of their furniture. Customers are likely to take advantage of this opportunity in the following instances:

• Large pieces: If a piece is bulky, oversized or heavy, recipients may require additional assistance to set it up.
• Challenging assembly: Furniture pieces that require complicated configuration can benefit from expert installation.
• Multiple items requiring moving: Even if recipients can assemble and move their new furniture, they may need help moving other items in the room to configure it correctly.
• Various pieces: When customers order multiple pieces from one business, having them assembled may be worth it.

Automotive and Aviation

Large-scale industries like automation and aviation also use white glove delivery to deliver sensitive hardware. Knowledgeable crew members pack and unpack highly sensitive items, handle them during transportation, and monitor different factors like acceleration and humidity to ensure companies have the data they need.

Aviation and automotive dealers and builders use white glove delivery to safely transport large, fragile equipment.

Frequently Asked Questions About White Glove Delivery Service

You should consider several details when weighing the benefits of white glove delivery. To help guide you, here are some of the most commonly asked questions about this service:

How Long Does White Glove Delivery Take?

Delivery speed depends on several factors, including the distance your shipment must travel, whether or not any borders are being crossed, if customs clearance is needed, and the shipping speed you selected when ordering your shipment.

Purolator International offers the following shipping speeds:

• Purolator Express®: Our most popular shipment option, Purolator Express, ships almost anywhere in Canada and includes scheduled and Saturday deliveries.
• PuroPost: Includes shipping and cross-border services for Canada and the U.S. for B2C industries in two to eight days.
• Less Than Truckload: Less Than Truckload shipments are for smaller shipments within Canada and include savings compared to full truckload shipments.
• Expedited Forwarding and Elite Service: Expedited Forwarding includes one–, two– and three-day service options and day-definite deliveries with Elite Service.

Does White Glove Delivery Include Assembly?

Typically, white glove delivery services include product assembly at an additional cost. This feature is useful for several types of consumers, including retail stores with changing product displays, individual consumers ordering large home appliances and more. Ask your delivery service provider for more information.

How Much Does White Glove Delivery Cost?

The cost of white glove delivery varies between transportation companies and depends on several factors, including:

• The distance of transport: The distance your shipment must travel factors into the price — this includes mileage and whether or not your shipment crossed a border, requiring customs and border clearance.
• The shipped product: The nature of the product you are shipping — i.e., perishable, non-perishable, fragile, etc. — as well as the product weight and count all factor into the overall cost of your delivery service.
• The speed of your shipment: Delivery services offer various shipping speeds, each with its own costs. Overnight and same-day shipping, for example, tend to cost more than regular expedited shipping.
• The drop-off location: Difficult-to-reach drop-off locations — like up multiple flights of stairs, for instance — may impact the cost of your service.
• Any special handling or considerations: Additional costs may accrue if your shipment requires special handling or considerations, like temperature control, specialized equipment, etc.
• Optional add-on accessories: Optional add-ons, like product assembly or disassembly, may factor into your final cost as will special services like GPS tracking.

Contact a delivery service to learn more about their pricing model. White glove delivery services are an investment, but it is an important one to make if you want peace of mind and assurance that your shipment will arrive on-time and damage-free.

Do I Need to Do Anything Before Receiving a White Glove Delivery?

To ensure the safety of your shipment and delivery driver, make sure the drop-off location is clear of obstruction. Whether you are receiving an item in your kitchen or industrial warehouse, make sure the path to and from the drop-off location is clear.

To further protect your shipment, clean the floor where your cargo will be unloaded or assembled. If you have any rugs, carpet or special flooring you wish to protect during the delivery process, take steps to cover or move them away from the area.

How Do I Choose a White Glove Delivery Service?

Before choosing a white glove delivery service, do your homework. Choose a credible, experienced company that offers great customer service, is socially responsible and has plenty of customer testimonials or awards to back up their guarantees.

• Professional customer service: White glove delivery service is an investment you make because your shipments are valuable. As such, the service you do business with must have a reliable, easy-to-reach customer service team with experts ready to answer any questions you have. Look for a company that offers you easy account access and transparent procedures.
• Socially responsible: Look for a company that gives back to their community and values their employees. For example, Purolator International serves the community through volunteer service, company donations and employee donation matching. Purolator International also participates in local and national organizations.
• Reviews and awards: As you choose a white glove delivery service, look for one that has client testimonials and service awards to back up their promises.
• Additional services offered: If your business could benefit from further supply chain management, choose a company that offers white glove delivery service in addition to other helpful services, like inventory and returns management and automated shipping.

What Questions Should I Ask a White Glove Delivery Service?

If you are an individual consumer or business who needs white glove delivery services, take the time to make sure you are working with a company that meets your needs. Do not be afraid to ask questions about the way a company’s process works or how your shipment will be handled. Start with questions like:

• Can I schedule a specific delivery time?
• Are weekend and evening delivery available? If so, is there an extra charge?
• Do you include product assembly?
• Will you clean up and remove the product packaging? If so, is there an additional cost?
• How often will I be updated on the progress of my shipment?
• Do I need to be present to accept the delivery?
• Do you have an automated delivery option?

Trust Purolator International to Handle Your White Glove Delivery

Are you a business or individual who needs white glove delivery? If you are trying to decide if Purolator International’s white glove delivery service is right for you, answer these questions:

• Does your business rely on regular, efficient shipments?
• Do you ship products that require an extra gentle touch or special attention?
• Do you want more peace of mind regarding your shipments?
• Are you a United States-based business that has a consistent volume of shipments going to or from Canada?

If you answered “yes” to one or more of these questions, contact Purolator International and ask about implementing white glove delivery services into your shipping process for top-quality service and efficiency.

In addition to white glove delivery, Purolator International provides your business with:

• The PuroTouch Advantage: PuroTouch is our approach to dedicated customer service, offering clients a single point of contact for each account. Every time you call, you speak with a real person who understands your unique needs and logistics process and is working hands-on to manage your shipments every step of the way. PuroTouch Client Relationship Representatives (CRRs) work with brokers to minimize delays, keep you informed about changes in your shipping profile and help you understand your client portal, so you can monitor your tracking and invoicing. PuroTouch CRRs are committed to forming relationships with clients that go beyond the transactional.
• Shipment security: We are dedicated to the security of your shipment, including special handling services — like temperature control and liftgate service — and on-time, inside deliveries. Additionally, our trained drivers keep you updated regularly, so you are always informed about your shipment’s progress.
• Customs compliance: Let Purolator International handle Canadian to U.S. Customs compliance and the border clearance process.

Purolator International handles imports and exports from the United States to Canada, shipping within Canada and the United States, and import and export in the Rest of the World (ROW) from Canada. We offer different shipping speed options so you get your shipment precisely when you want it.

Purolator International’s dedication to on-time performance, premium customer service and Canadian cross-border expertise have earned us several awards, including a place among Inbound Logistics Provider magazine’s Top 100 Third Party Logistics Provider in 2017 and Supply & Demand Chain Executive magazine’s Best 100 Supply Chain Projects in 2016. When you trust us with your delivery, you are working with a company that actively puts you first.

To learn more about Purolator International’s shipping and logistics services or to see what white glove delivery can do for you, give us a call at (888) 511-4811 or contact us online.