Contrassegno

Contrassegno, or cash on delivery (COD), is a payment method used for mail and parcel shipments in which the recipient pays the seller the full amount due at the moment of delivery. The service is typically offered by postal operators and courier companies and can cover the price of goods plus shipping costs and, in some cases, insurance or other fees.

How it works: The seller requests COD from the buyer and ships the item with a COD option. At delivery, the courier collects the cash or a bank transfer equivalent and provides a receipt. The funds are then remitted to the seller, usually after deducting a service fee charged by the carrier. Some carriers impose a maximum COD amount per shipment and separate handling charges.

Availability and scope: COD is common in Italy and other markets where postal and courier services offer contrassegno. It is more prevalent for domestic shipments and less common or more restricted for international deliveries. Merchants may limit COD to trusted customers or orders above a minimum value.

Costs and risks: The buyer bears no additional risk beyond the need to have cash available at delivery; the seller bears the risk of non-payment or recipient refusal, and the carrier bears handling cash. Fraud prevention measures and identity verification are commonly recommended.

Advantages and drawbacks: For buyers, COD enables payment convenience and avoids upfront payment; for sellers, it can expand sales but adds processing costs and cash handling risk. Many e-commerce platforms offer COD as a payment option with varying fees and limits.