4Partners Logistics: How We Deliver Orders Faster Than Other Cross-Border Services

Logistics in e-commerce isn’t just about shipping. It’s about a well-built system — one that determines your profitability, operational speed, and most importantly, customer trust.

At 4Partners, we handle the entire logistics cycle: sourcing products, managing warehouses, delivering orders directly to customers, and processing returns. Our goal is to simplify your operations so you can focus on marketing and sales.

In this article, we’ll explain how our logistics system works using a real example — a pair of sneakers ordered by a customer from Switzerland. First, we’ll look at the process from the perspectives of both the buyer and the store owner, and then we’ll go step by step through what happens inside our team.

Let’s imagine Alex, who lives in Zurich, Switzerland, and decides to buy a pair of Nike Air Monarch sneakers for summer walks around the city.

Alex visits your online store, browses the catalog, chooses a pair of white Nike Air Monarch sneakers in size 9, and adds them to his cart.

At checkout, he enters his delivery address — Bahnhofstrasse 22, Zurich 8001, Switzerland — along with his email and phone number.

He can choose between standard courier delivery and the national postal service. Since he selects courier delivery, the order will be delivered directly to his door, and no additional ID verification is required.

Alex pays by card. Immediately after payment, he receives a confirmation email with all order details — product model, price, and delivery address.
This means his order has successfully entered the processing stage.

In his personal account, Alex can follow the order status as it automatically updates through each stage:

Confirmed → Order received → Awaiting fulfillment → Awaiting dispatch → Packed → Dispatched

When the status changes to "Dispatched," it means the sneakers have passed quality control at the 4Partners European distribution center in Germany and are now in international transit toward Switzerland.

At this point, the order is assigned a tracking number, which Alex can use to follow the parcel’s journey across the border and within his country.

Once the status changes to "Delivered," Alex receives a notification. His parcel has cleared Swiss customs and arrived at his local delivery point — or, if he chose courier delivery, it’s brought directly to his doorstep.

For the store owner, the process with 4Partners is fully automated — allowing you to focus on business growth rather than logistics management.

When Alex completes his payment for the sneakers, his order instantly appears in your 4Partners dashboard under the Orders section. This is your control center, where all key details are collected: customer information, delivery address, order value, tracking number, and current status.

In our example, you’ll see Alex’s order moving through these stages:

• Created — the order has been generated in the system.

• Paid by customer — payment received and verified.

• Paid by partner — the transaction is confirmed on the platform.

• Parcel P14243278 dispatched — the item has left the 4Partners international warehouse and is en route to Switzerland

• Delivered — the order has been successfully received by the customer.

Thanks to this real-time visibility, you get a complete picture of every order in one place. There’s no need to contact support or exchange emails — the system updates automatically.

If any issues occur — for instance, if the customer entered an incorrect address or a parcel is delayed at customs — the 4Partners platform immediately alerts our logistics team. They investigate, contact you if necessary, and offer possible solutions: wait for the next shipment, replace the product, or issue a return.

This proactive approach ensures smooth communication and quick resolution without extra effort on your side.

Everything begins when Alex pays for his Nike Air Monarch sneakers on your online store.
Once the payment is confirmed, the order is automatically transmitted to the 4Partners system, where it is assigned a unique tracking ID.
The platform records all key information:

• Order details: Nike Air Monarch sneakers, white, size 9.

• Delivery method: courier delivery to Zurich, Switzerland.

• Customer information: Alex R., address (Bahnhofstrasse 22, Zurich 8001, Switzerland), phone number, and email.

From this point, the order moves to the data-verification stage — an essential step that prevents delivery errors or customs delays.

To make sure Alex’s sneakers reach him without any issues, we carefully verify every detail in the order form.
Even a small mistake in the postal code or address could result in the parcel being returned to our warehouse — or delayed at customs if express shipping is used.

That’s why the verification process happens in two stages:

1. Automated validation

The 4Partners platform automatically checks the order data and flags common errors — such as an invalid phone format, typos in the address, or an incorrect postal code.

2. Manual review

If the system detects inconsistencies, a manager steps in to review the data, compare it with standard address databases, and, if needed, contact the customer by email or phone.

We double-check the following details:

• Full name — ensuring it’s correctly entered.

• Address and postal code — verifying that the postal code matches the specified street and city.

• Contact details — confirming the phone number and email for delivery notifications.

For example, if Alex accidentally entered a postal code for a different district, the manager confirms the correct one to make sure the parcel reaches the right address.

This step guarantees that shipments don’t get returned due to address errors and arrive on time.

Once verification is complete, the order receives the status "Ready for purchase" and moves to the next stage.

Once Alex’s details are verified, we start searching for the best supplier to source his Nike Air Monarch sneakers.
The 4Partners platform automatically compares offers from connected suppliers via API integration and analyzes several parameters to select the most efficient option:

• Price: if one supplier lists the sneakers at € 75 and another at € 82, the system chooses the more cost-effective offer.

• Availability: checks whether the white Nike Air Monarch size 9 is in stock for immediate shipment.

In this case, the platform identifies a supplier in Spain, offering the sneakers at € 75 with fast dispatch to the 4Partners international distribution hub.

Once the supplier is selected, we transmit the purchase order and process the payment on your behalf.

Here’s what happens on the supplier’s side after the payment is confirmed:

1. The supplier verifies product availability and reserves the requested items for 4Partners.

2. The warehouse team collects the sneakers, checks the SKU and quantity, and prepares the shipment.

3. The order is securely packed and handed over for delivery to our international warehouse.

If the supplier reports temporary unavailability — due to an unexpected stock issue or API sync delay — we act according to the situation:

• Short-term shortage (up to 3 days): we recommend waiting for the next inbound restock, which is usually more efficient than purchasing from another vendor at a higher price.

• Long-term shortage (over 3 days): we inform the customer and offer several options — wait for replenishment, choose an alternative product, or request a refund.

In Alex’s case, everything runs smoothly. His sneakers leave Spain together with other consolidated orders heading for the 4Partners international distribution hub.

The sneakers arrive as part of a large consolidated shipment at our international distribution hub, where goods from multiple suppliers are received, checked, and prepared for export.

Depending on the customer’s destination, products may later pass through a domestic hub in the delivery country or go directly to local couriers. At the hub, the consolidated shipment is unpacked and divided into individual customer orders. Each item is matched to its order ID to ensure full traceability and eliminate mix-ups.

Then, a thorough inspection follows:

For Alex, this entire stage happens behind the scenes, but it’s precisely these controls that ensure he receives the correct sneakers in perfect condition.

After inspection, the order proceeds to customs-document preparation.

Before Alex’s sneakers can leave the international distribution hub, our team prepares a complete set of export and customs documents. This stage ensures that every parcel crossing an international border complies with import regulations and moves through customs smoothly.

Because Alex lives in Switzerland, which is outside the EU customs zone, the shipment requires a full export declaration. If the destination were within the same customs area, we would only prepare a simplified transit manifest — but for international deliveries, the documentation process is more detailed.

We prepare the following:

• For postal deliveries — a simplified declaration (recipient name and address, contact phone, detailed product description, quantity, declared value).

• For express or courier deliveries — an extended declaration including the customer’s identification or tax reference (if required by the destination), item category, HS code, unit price, and total customs value.

• For all shipments — a compliance check against restricted or sanctioned goods lists to confirm that the item can legally cross borders and that the buyer is not on any restricted-party list.

Each declaration includes:

1. Shipper information: 4Partners as the exporter of record.

2. Recipient information: Alex R., Bahnhofstrasse 22, 8001 Zurich, Switzerland.

3. Commodity details: "Footwear — sports shoes (Nike Air Monarch), leather and synthetic upper."

4. Quantity and value: 1 pair — € 75.

5. Customs tariff code (HS code 640 411).

6. Origin of goods: Spain.

Once all data is entered, the declaration is digitally registered in the export system. After the paperwork is complete, the parcel receives a customs identification number (MRN) and is handed over to the carrier for transportation to the border.

Handling special cases

If a shipment contains multiple items or products from different suppliers, our system automatically consolidates the goods under a single export declaration. This reduces paperwork and ensures that customs officers can process the parcel as part of a larger, transparent batch.

If the value exceeds the simplified-declaration threshold of the destination country, we automatically switch to a full declaration format to prevent fines or holds.

After the paperwork is complete, the parcel receives a customs identification number (MRN) and is handed over to the carrier for transportation to the border. From this moment, the order officially enters the export stage.

Once Alex’s parcel leaves the international distribution hub, it travels to the border where export and import clearance procedures begin.

For shipments heading from the European Union to Switzerland, this process includes both EU export clearance and Swiss import clearance.

Our goal at this stage is simple — to ensure the parcel crosses the border legally, quickly, and without extra costs for the customer.

What happens during export clearance

At the EU side (for example, in Germany), customs officials check:

1. The export declaration — verifying that all data (shipper, recipient, product type, and value) are accurate.

2. The commercial invoice and CN23 form — confirming the declared value and product description.

3. Compliance with export rules — ensuring that the product is not on any restricted list and that the shipment matches the classification code (HS code).

Once confirmed, the export is validated in the customs system, and the parcel receives the status "Export cleared."

What happens during import clearance

When the parcel reaches Swiss customs, officers perform a mirror check:

1. Verification of the import declaration — the system automatically compares sender and recipient data.

2. Value assessment — confirming that the declared product value corresponds to market pricing and that import taxes or duties (if applicable) are correctly calculated.

3. Physical inspection (random sampling) — although rare for small e-commerce parcels, customs may select some shipments for manual inspection or X-ray scanning.

4. Restricted-goods screening — ensuring the product and recipient are not on sanction or control lists.

If everything matches, the parcel is released for entry into Switzerland. The whole process is monitored by our customs specialists, who track the declaration numbers in real time and stay in contact with brokers and courier partners.

What happens next

After successful clearance:

• the parcel’s customs status changes to "Released";

• tracking updates automatically appear both in 4Partners and on the courier’s system;

• the shipment moves to the destination-country logistics network.

From this point, the order is ready for final distribution and last-mile delivery.

After customs clearance, the parcel enters the destination country’s logistics network.
Depending on the market infrastructure, the process at this stage may differ slightly — but the core logic remains the same: the order is checked, sorted, and prepared for final delivery to the customer.

Scenario 1 — Countries with a domestic fulfillment hub

In some regions, 4Partners operates a primary domestic hub that receives imported goods from the international distribution center.
This hub serves as the main sorting and dispatch point for regional deliveries.

When a shipment arrives there, it goes through a short but essential sequence:

1. Inbound reception — parcels are scanned upon arrival and linked to their tracking numbers.

2. Quality check — the packaging is examined for any signs of damage that could have occurred during international transit.

3. Order verification — we ensure that the parcel’s barcode and SKU match the original order record.

4. Repackaging (if required) — if the box was damaged or unfit for delivery presentation, it’s re-boxed or reinforced.

5. Local labeling — a new domestic tracking label is generated, allowing the customer to follow progress inside the country.

After verification, the parcel is assigned to a regional route and transferred to the courier or postal network for last-mile delivery. This step is what allows 4Partners to handle large order volumes across wide geographies while maintaining full visibility and speed.

Scenario 2 — Countries without a domestic hub (e.g., Switzerland)

In markets where we don’t yet maintain a local facility, parcels go directly from the international hub to our partner carriers within the country.

In Alex’s case, the sneakers were exported from our international distribution hub and delivered straight to a partner sorting center in Switzerland. There, the parcel was scanned, confirmed against the customs manifest, and immediately handed to the courier responsible for Zurich deliveries.

This model avoids unnecessary re-handling and keeps the delivery timeline competitive with local e-commerce standards.

Alex’s sneakers pass this stage without any issues — the box is intact, the barcode scans correctly, and the delivery route is set for Zurich.

When the parcel leaves the sorting or partner facility, it officially enters the last-mile delivery stage — the most visible part of the logistics chain for the customer.
At this point, the 4Partners system automatically updates the order status to "Dispatched for delivery."

From here, Alex can follow his shipment in real time through both the 4Partners dashboard and the courier’s tracking portal. All tracking data are synchronized so that any change in courier status is reflected immediately in the customer’s account.

The parcel is now handed over to the courier network for the final leg of its journey.

Delivery process in Switzerland (Alex's example)

In Alex’s case, the sneakers arrive at the Zurich courier depot in the early morning.
The local courier scans the parcel, verifies the delivery address — Bahnhofstrasse 22, 8001 Zurich — and loads it for the day’s route.

Before leaving, the courier app confirms Alex’s contact number and delivery preferences.

Alex receives an automated SMS and email notification:

"Your order from 4Partners is out for delivery and will arrive today between 10:00 and 14:00."

The courier arrives at Alex's address, confirms his name, and hands over the parcel. Once Alex signs for receipt, the delivery is instantly registered in both the 4Partners and courier tracking systems. The order status changes to "Delivered" and a confirmation email is sent to both the customer and the store owner.

Alternate delivery options

Depending on customer preference and the region’s infrastructure, delivery can be completed in several ways:

• Courier delivery to door: the most popular method, ideal for express and high-value orders.

• Pickup point or parcel locker: allows flexible self-service collection.

• National postal delivery: suitable for standard or economy options.

Regardless of the method, all deliveries are tracked in real time until they reach the customer, with full visibility for both the buyer and the store owner.

Even in a well-organized logistics system, unexpected situations can arise — from supplier errors to customs delays or damaged parcels.

At 4Partners, we handle these cases proactively to protect both the store owner and the end customer. Our principle is simple: if something goes wrong, we solve it quickly, transparently, and at no extra cost to the client whenever the fault is on our side.

→ For the customer, the process is simple and transparent: selection, payment, tracking number, and delivery — even though a complex logistics system operates behind the scenes.

→ For the store owner, everything is automated: orders appear in the personal dashboard, statuses update automatically, and a manager is always ready to assist if any issues arise.

→ The process is structured step by step: data verification → supplier selection → purchase and intake at the international hub → packaging → customs clearance → receipt at the domestic hub → last-mile delivery.

→ Quality is controlled at every stage — from inventory and packaging checks to warehouse operations and customs brokerage.

→ Even unforeseen situations are resolved quickly: store owners don’t need to worry if something goes off plan.