TCS Courier Terms – Quick Reference
CN Number – 10–12 digit Consignment Number used as your TCS tracking ID, usually printed as
CN-XXXXXXX-X.
HTC Premium – Time‑guaranteed delivery surcharge; if TCS misses the committed time, only the HTC premium fee is refunded, not the full shipment charge.
CVI Insurance – Optional Comprehensive Valuables Insurance that covers high‑value items (like mobiles and laptops) beyond the basic PKR 5,000 liability, usually up to several lakh rupees depending on declaration.
NTN Number – Pakistan’s National Tax Number issued by the FBR; TCS asks for it when you open a business or COD account, but it is a government tax ID, not an internal courier code.
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Introduction
Confused by TCS terminology on your receipt? “CN-XXXXXXX” numbers, “HTC premium refund,” “volumetric weight charges” — what do they all actually mean when you send a parcel in Pakistan?
This complete TCS Courier Glossary explains every important term you’ll see while booking, tracking, or insuring a shipment. From tracking numbers and premium services to delivery statuses, pricing formulas, and business requirements, you get quick, plain‑English definitions in one place.
Bookmark this page as your always-on TCS reference guide. Every term is aligned with official TCS policies and real customer scenarios so you can make smarter, mistake‑free shipping decisions.
Tracking & Shipment ID Terms
⭐ Premium Service Terms (HTC, CVI, RedBox)
| Service Name | What It Does | Typical Cost | Benefit |
|---|---|---|---|
| HTC Premium Handle with Care |
Guaranteed delivery within committed time window. If TCS misses the deadline, you get the premium fee refunded via OTP at TCS centers. | PKR 100–300 | ⏰ Time-Safe |
| CVI Insurance Customer Voluntary Insurance |
Paid coverage for high-value items like mobiles, laptops and jewelry. Protects against loss or damage up to declared amount (usually max PKR 500K). | 1–2% of value (PKR 200–1,500) |
🛡️ Protected |
| RedBox International Premium Global Service |
Express international shipping to GCC, UK, USA and Europe with priority handling, stronger packaging and faster transit (2–7 working days). | Zone-based pricing | 🌍 Worldwide |
📍 Delivery Status Meanings
Your parcel has been accepted at a TCS counter, a CN number is generated, and it is waiting for the first dispatch scan to the sorting hub.
The shipment is travelling inside the TCS network (by road or air) between cities or main sorting facilities. This status may repeat multiple times on long routes.
Your parcel has left the local TCS branch with a rider and is on its way to the delivery address. Keep your phone active and stay available during working hours.
The shipment has been handed over to the receiver and proof of delivery (POD/signature) is recorded in the TCS system. Save your CN number if you need to download POD later.
Delivery is paused due to issues like incorrect address, receiver unavailable, unpaid charges, or clearance problems. Call the TCS helpline or visit the nearest Express Center with your CN number to resolve it.
💰 Pricing & Weight Calculation Terms
📏Volumetric Weight Formula
Box size:
50cm × 30cm × 20cmCalculation:
(50 × 30 × 20) ÷ 5000 = 30,000 ÷ 5000 = 6kgActual weight:
3kgCharged Weight: 6kg (volumetric is higher)
💡 Key rule: TCS always bills on the higher value between actual weight and volumetric weight. Light but bulky items (pillows, shoe boxes, empty cartons) are charged by volumetric weight, not the number on the scale.
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Chargeable Weight | The weight TCS uses for billing – always the higher of actual scale weight and calculated volumetric weight. |
| Fuel Surcharge | Extra percentage added on top of base freight to cover changing diesel/aviation fuel costs. This rate can change without notice. |
| Minimum Chargeable Weight | Lowest slab billed for any parcel (often 0.5kg). Even a 100g document can be charged as 0.5kg according to the tariff. |
| COD Charges | Service fee on Cash on Delivery orders, usually a small percentage of the collected amount agreed in your COD contract. |
🏢 Business Account Terms (NTN, STRN, COD)
🆔NTN Number (National Tax Number)
Not a TCS-invented term: NTN is a 7‑digit tax identifier issued by the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR). TCS simply requires it when you open a business or COD account so your company details match FBR records.
XXXXXXX-X
for example 4174941-3
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| STRN | Sales Tax Registration Number issued by FBR to GST‑registered businesses. Often requested alongside NTN when setting up TCS corporate or high‑volume COD accounts. |
| COD Reconciliation | The process where TCS tallies all delivered COD orders, deducts agreed courier/COD fees and transfers the remaining collected cash to the seller’s bank account (usually weekly or bi‑weekly). |
| COCO Centers | Company Owned, Company Operated TCS branches managed directly by TCS (not franchises). Commonly used as main hubs for business drop‑offs and COD settlements. |
| IBRS Service | Inward Book Return Service – prepaid return labels or accounts that let customers send goods back to the seller without paying charges at the counter (popular for e‑commerce returns). |
TCS Service Types Explained
Same‑day delivery inside selected major cities, often within 4–6 hours. Includes on‑demand pickup from your doorstep for critical documents or parcels.
Standard next‑day service across Pakistan. Best balance of speed and price for most business and personal shipments.
Parcel is held at a chosen TCS Express Center so the receiver can collect it when convenient instead of waiting for home delivery.
Premium international parcel service for GCC, UK, USA and other routes with priority handling and faster transit (around 2–7 working days).
Cash on Delivery collection at the buyer’s doorstep. TCS receives the money, deducts COD/courier fees and remits the balance to the seller.
Specialized handling for legal files, contracts and certificates with tracking and proof of delivery (POD) for sensitive paperwork.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
📖 Complete TCS Terms — Alphabetical Quick Reference
| Term | Quick Definition |
|---|---|
| Airway Bill (AWB) | International tracking ID used for export/import shipments instead of a domestic CN. |
| Barcode Number | Machine‑readable code on the label; the digits are identical to your CN number. |
| Booked | Parcel accepted by TCS, CN created and awaiting first dispatch scan. |
| Cargo | Heavy or bulk shipments moved through TCS cargo/aviation network rather than standard courier. |
| Chargeable Weight | Weight used for billing – the higher of actual scale weight and volumetric weight. |
| Closed on Arrival | Delivery attempt failed (shop closed, receiver unavailable, address issue); parcel returned to branch. |
| CN Number | Consignment Number – main 10–12 digit tracking ID printed as CN‑XXXXXXXXXX or numbers only. |
| COD | Cash on Delivery – TCS collects payment from receiver and later transfers it to the seller. |
| COD Charges | Service fee (percentage of order value) charged on each COD transaction. |
| COD Reconciliation | Regular settlement where TCS tallies delivered COD orders and remits net cash to the merchant. |
| COCO Centers | Company Owned, Company Operated branches managed directly by TCS (not franchises). |
| Consignment | Another word for a shipment or parcel handled under one CN number. |
| CVI Insurance | Customer Voluntary Insurance – optional paid cover for high‑value items up to a specified limit. |
| Delivered | Parcel successfully handed to receiver and proof of delivery recorded in TCS system. |
| Document Shipping | Service focused on letters, certificates and legal documents needing traceable delivery. |
| Fuel Surcharge | Extra percentage added to freight charges to offset fuel price fluctuations. |
| HTC Premium | Handle with Care premium – time‑guarantee add‑on where only the HTC fee is refunded if late. |
| IBRS | Inward Book Return Service – prepaid return labels/accounts for easy customer returns. |
| In Transit | Shipment is travelling between hubs or cities in the TCS network. |
| Minimum Chargeable Weight | Lowest weight slab (often 0.5kg) used for billing even if parcel weighs less. |
| My Collect | Self‑pickup service where receiver collects parcel from a selected TCS center. |
| NTN | National Tax Number issued by FBR; required when registering business or COD accounts with TCS. |
| Overnight Express | Nationwide next‑day courier service and TCS’s main express product. |
| Out for Delivery | Parcel has left the local branch with a rider and is on the way to the destination address. |
| POD | Proof of Delivery – record of who received the shipment and at what time/date. |
| RedBox International | Premium international parcel service with faster transit and priority handling. |
| Reference ID | Customer’s own order or invoice number stored alongside the CN for easier matching. |
| RTO (Return to Origin) | Parcel is being returned to the original sender after failed delivery attempts or cancellation. |
| STRN | Sales Tax Registration Number for GST‑registered businesses, often paired with NTN for corporate accounts. |
| TCS Hazir | In‑city same‑day pickup and delivery service for urgent shipments. |
| Tracking ID | Generic term for the CN or tracking number used to follow your shipment online. |
| Volumetric Weight | Weight calculated from parcel dimensions using (L × W × H) ÷ 5000, applied to large but light items. |
Conclusion
Mastered TCS terminology? Use this glossary as your quick-reference tool whenever tracking parcels, calculating charges, or setting up COD accounts. Bookmark it for instant access to 35+ essential terms that clarify every TCS interaction.