How matching works

Every shipment moves through a clear sequence of states. Both sides see the same status at the same time.

The core flow

1. Drop posted — a Dropper describes the package, destination, and budget.
2. Trip posted — a Carrier publishes their itinerary and available luggage.
3. Match proposed — when a Drop and a Trip overlap, ShipKith pairs them.
4. Accepted — both sides agree to the price and meeting plan.
5. Paid — the Dropper pays into escrow. Funds are held by ShipKith until delivery.
6. Handoff at origin — the package is given to the Carrier, either directly or through a partner Hub.
7. In transit — the Carrier travels to the destination.
8. Handoff at destination — the package is delivered to the recipient.
9. Completed — escrow releases to the Carrier, and both sides can leave a review.

Direct vs. Hub handoff

You can hand off in two ways, chosen at acceptance time:

• Direct — Dropper meets Carrier in person at an agreed venue. Best for low-value parcels and people who already know each other from a community.
• Hub — drop the package at a partner Hub (an African shop, a community centre). The Carrier picks it up later. Better for strangers or busy schedules.

Hubs charge a small flat fee per handoff and provide an inspection checklist plus photo evidence at intake.

What if something goes wrong?

If a Carrier finds prohibited items at intake, the Hub refuses the parcel and the Dropper is automatically refunded. If something is lost or damaged in transit, contact support within 7 days — we work with both sides to resolve it case by case.