Uber Takes on Porter with Launch of Courier XL for Heavy Shipments in India

Uber is making a bold move into the heavyweight courier space in India with the launch of its Courier XL service, aimed squarely at disrupting the logistics market dominated by players like Porter. With the ability to transport packages up to 750 kilograms, Uber is now offering businesses and individuals a new option for moving large goods within cities.

The company rolled out Courier XL in Delhi NCR and Mumbai, two of India’s most critical urban hubs, with plans to expand to additional cities in the coming weeks. Using a fleet of 3- and 4-wheeler vehicles, this service is designed to handle heavier, tech-enabled shipments — a strategic step beyond the smaller bike-based deliveries of Uber’s original courier service.

Uber’s new logistics offering isn’t just about capacity; it’s also about smart mobility. According to Shiva Shailendran, Director of Consumer and Growth for Uber India South Asia, the Courier XL service is tailored to meet the rising needs of small businesses and households looking for reliable and scalable logistics to move items like furniture, bulk orders, or commercial inventory.

The move follows explosive growth in Uber’s bike courier service, which has expanded to 25 cities and served over 5 million users. In fact, deliveries grew by more than 50% in 2024, and the company has seen this momentum continue into 2025.

The rise of intra-city e-commerce, micro-warehousing, and same-day delivery expectations has pushed traditional logistics firms to modernize—and now, Uber’s tech-first approach could pose serious competition.

What Undercode Say:

Uber’s strategic pivot to larger logistics through Courier XL isn’t just another service launch — it’s a calculated disruption. The Indian last-mile logistics sector, valued at over \$3 billion in 2024, is heating up as both consumers and businesses expect speed, reliability, and scale. Porter has long held the edge in this space, but Uber’s arrival with deep pockets, advanced routing algorithms, and strong brand trust could shift the market dynamics significantly.

By targeting SMEs (Small and Medium Enterprises) and households, Uber is capitalizing on a segment often underserved by traditional freight services. With e-commerce and D2C (Direct-to-Consumer) brands mushrooming across metro cities, there’s a genuine need for a service that can move inventory between warehouses, deliver bulky customer orders, or even support B2B shipments on short notice.

What sets Uber apart is its platform advantage. With an already massive driver network and mapping infrastructure, scaling up Courier XL is more about integration than reinvention. This is Uber leveraging its existing tech ecosystem to diversify revenue and gain a foothold in a fragmented logistics market.

However, challenges remain. Courier logistics, especially for heavy items, is about more than just dispatch. It involves secure packaging, trained handling, and route reliability under load — all of which are areas where Porter and dedicated logistics players have experience. Uber will need to match or exceed these service levels if it wants to win long-term loyalty.

There’s also the issue of pricing. Porter’s competitive pricing has been one of its strongest levers. If Uber Courier XL aims to disrupt this, it may need to absorb costs or subsidize deliveries to grow quickly — something it can likely afford in the short term, but will need unit-economics alignment for sustainable growth.

Moreover, from an SEO and trend analytics perspective, search terms like “bulk courier services,” “intra-city heavy parcel delivery,” and “Uber large package delivery” are rising in metropolitan regions, suggesting increasing interest and awareness. Uber’s early mover advantage in tech-led logistics visibility, driver transparency, and real-time tracking may give it an edge in terms of user trust and adoption.

As the gig economy blends into logistics, this launch hints at a future where urban freight networks are fully on-demand, integrated with consumer platforms, and powered by app-driven fleets — something that may well define the next decade of city logistics in India.

Fact Checker Results:

Claim: Uber Courier XL supports up to 750 kg — ✅ Verified from official Uber press statements.
Claim: 50% growth in Courier service in 2024 — ✅ \Matches Uber’s internal 2024 growth