Skip to content

New: RTO Shield flags risky COD orders before you ship. Try it free →

Book a pickup in 60 seconds. No signup needed. Schedule now →

Shipping 500+ parcels a month? Get a custom rate card. Talk to us →

ZipNexa
Reduce RTO

What is an NDR and how to fix failed deliveries

NDR means non-delivery report. Here is what it is, why it happens and how acting fast turns a failed delivery into a delivered one.

ZipNexa Team 3 min read

NDR stands for non-delivery report. The courier raises it when a delivery attempt fails. Each NDR is a warning: if nobody acts on it, the parcel is likely to come back to you as RTO.

Common NDR reasons

  • Customer not available or not answering the phone
  • Address incomplete or not found
  • Customer refused the parcel
  • Customer asked to deliver later
  • No cash ready for a COD order
  • Area not reachable that day

Some of these are real problems. Many are not: a missed call, a missing landmark or a buyer who was at work.

Why speed matters

The courier makes only a limited number of attempts. ZipNexa makes up to a set number of delivery attempts, as set out in the Shipping Policy. If the problem is not fixed before the next attempt, the parcel fails again. After the last attempt, it is returned to you.

The best time to act on an NDR is within hours, while the parcel is still in the delivery area and the buyer still remembers the order.

How to fix an NDR

  1. Read the reason. "Address not found" needs a different fix from "customer refused".
  2. Contact the buyer. WhatsApp is often faster than a call.
  3. Fix the details. Update the address, landmark, alternate phone number or delivery slot.
  4. Ask for a re-attempt. Send the updated details to the courier the same day.
  5. Mark genuine refusals. If the buyer really does not want the order, ask for an early return so stock comes back sooner.

How to get fewer NDRs in the first place

  • Validate the pincode and ask for a landmark at checkout
  • Confirm high-risk COD orders before you ship
  • Send an "out for delivery today" message
  • Let buyers reschedule or share their location from the tracking page

How ZipNexa handles NDRs

ZipNexa NDR Copilot messages the buyer on WhatsApp the moment an attempt fails. The buyer can pick a new slot, correct the address or share a live location, and the update goes straight to the rider. You see every open NDR in one list on your dashboard.

Read next: How to reduce RTO in COD orders, or start shipping free.

FAQs

Questions, answered.

What does NDR mean in courier?

Non-delivery report. It is raised when a delivery attempt fails, with a reason such as customer not available or address not found.

How many delivery attempts are made?

ZipNexa makes up to a set number of attempts before a parcel is returned. See the Shipping Policy.

Is there a charge for re-attempts?

Standard re-attempts within the policy are included. Charges, if any, are shown in your rate card.

Keep reading

All articles

Reduce RTO · 3 min read

How to reduce RTO in COD orders: 9 proven steps

Returned COD orders cost you shipping twice and lock up stock. Here are nine practical steps that cut RTO without hurting conversion.

Read article

Shipping Tips · 3 min read

Volumetric weight explained with examples

Why a big, light box can cost more than a small, heavy one, and how to calculate volumetric weight before you ship.

Read article

Shipping Tips · 3 min read

Packaging guide: ship fragile items without damage

Glass, ceramics, electronics and cosmetics can travel safely. Here is how to pack them so they arrive in one piece.

Read article

Ready to ship smarter?

Create your free account in two minutes. No setup fee, no minimum volume.

Start Shipping Free Talk to Sales

We use cookies to keep the site working, understand how it is used and improve it. You can accept all, or choose which ones to allow. Cookie Policy