Cut-off time: what it is and which times fulfilment companies use

The cut-off time (in Dutch cut off tijd or cut-off tijd) is the last moment of the day an order must come in to still be shipped that same day. At most fulfilment companies that state one, it lies between 22:00 and midnight.

An order that arrives after the cut-off ships the next working day. For your customer, that is the difference between delivery tomorrow and the day after.

What exactly is a cut-off time?

Carriers collect parcels from the warehouse at the end of the day. Before that collection, the fulfilment company has to have every order picked, packed and labelled. The cut-off time is therefore the moment the warehouse works back to from the last collection: ordered by then, shipped today.

That is why the cut-off sometimes differs per carrier. A carrier that collects late in the evening allows a later cut-off than one that comes at the end of the afternoon.

Why the cut-off time matters for your webshop

In the Netherlands and Belgium, customers almost always expect next-day delivery. "Order before 23:00, delivered tomorrow" is a promise you put on your product pages and in your checkout. The later your cut-off, the more orders meet that promise, and many people order in the evening.

Marketplaces pay attention too. On bol you set a delivery time per offer, and bol rates you on on-time delivery. A cut-off that doesn't match what you promise costs you points. More on that in Verzenden via bol.

Which cut-off times are common among fulfilment companies?

Of the 207 active fulfilment companies in our directory, 51 state a cut-off time on their own website. This is how they are spread:

Cut-off time	Number of companies
Midnight (00:00)	1
23:00 – 23:59	34
22:00 – 22:59	7
20:00 – 21:59	4
16:00 – 19:59	5

So more than two thirds of the companies that state a time process orders until 23:00 or later. A cut-off in the afternoon or early evening is less common, but can be fine if your customers don't count on next-day delivery, for example with B2B or large shipments.

The other companies don't state a time on their website. That doesn't mean they have no late cut-off: just ask. You can see the stated cut-off times per company in the list of fulfilment companies.

Same-day and weekend shipping

Same-day delivery goes one step further: the order is delivered the same day, usually in the evening and often only in certain regions. 46 companies in our directory mention same-day delivery on their own website. Note the difference from same-day shipping: that means "shipped today", which a normal cut-off already gives you.

Weekend shipping means orders also go out on Saturday (and sometimes Sunday). 14 companies mention it. It is especially useful if you sell a lot at weekends, or want to keep a fast delivery time on bol on Friday evening and Saturday too.

What to ask a fulfilment company about the cut-off

A time on a website doesn't tell you everything. Ask about it in your quote:

• Does the cut-off hold on peak days? Around Black Friday, Sinterklaas and Christmas the warehouse can't always handle the volume. Ask what happens then and whether they bring in extra staff.
• Does it apply to all carriers? Often the late cut-off only applies to the carrier that collects last. For Belgium, Germany or pallets it is usually earlier.
• Does it apply to B2B orders? Orders for shops or wholesalers with many lines, boxes or pallets sometimes have their own, earlier cut-off.
• Does it apply to every order? Think of orders with kitting, gift wrapping or a handwritten card.
• What if it goes wrong? How often do they miss the cut-off, and will you hear about it?

More questions for your quote are in the checklist of 12 questions.

Frequently asked questions about the cut-off time

What does cut-off time mean?

The last time an order must come in to still be shipped that day. Anything that arrives later goes out the next working day.

What is a good cut-off time for a webshop?

For next-day delivery in the Netherlands, 22:00 or later is common. 35 of the 51 fulfilment companies that state a time use 23:00 or later.

Is a late cut-off more expensive?

Not necessarily. Compare the price per order and the shipping rates, not just the time. What orders typically cost is explained in What does fulfilment cost? and pick and pack.

Which fulfilment company suits my delivery promise?

Connect your webshop and see, based on your own orders, which companies fit, including their cut-off times and carriers. Start your match.