How ShipHiker Works

Simple, secure, and social shipping. Choose your path below to see how easy it is.

"Open Box" Policy Required

For everyone's safety, Travelers have the absolute right to inspect package contents before accepting them. Do not seal your box until the driver arrives and verifies the items.

1

Post Your Shipment

Describe what you need moved. Upload clear photos so drivers know exactly what they are carrying. Get a shareable link you can post to social media or send to friends for more visibility!

2

Receive Offers

Travelers will bid to deliver your item. Review their profiles, ratings, and verification badges before accepting.

3

Confirm & Handover

Meet in a public place. Let the driver inspect the item. Hand it over only when you feel comfortable.

4

Track & Rate

Get notified when it's delivered. Confirm receipt in the app and leave a review to build trust in the community.

Post a Shipment Now

Built-In Protection & Visibility Tools

ShipHiker gives you powerful features to spread the word about your shipment and protect yourself if anything goes wrong.

📱 Shareable Links

Every shipment gets a unique link you can share anywhere—Facebook, Twitter, Craigslist, or text to friends. The more eyes on your post, the faster you'll get offers!

  • ✓ Share on social media with one click
  • ✓ Post to community boards or marketplaces
  • ✓ Send directly to people you know who travel your route
  • ✓ No account required for viewers to see your post

📄 Transaction Export

Download a complete record of all your messages, photos, timestamps, and agreement details. Perfect evidence if you need to file a dispute with PayPal or your payment provider.

  • ✓ Full conversation history with timestamps
  • ✓ All photos and attachments included
  • ✓ Payment agreement documentation
  • ✓ Admissible evidence for PayPal/bank disputes

Pro Tip: Always use PayPal Goods & Services (not Friends & Family) and export your transaction details right after delivery. This creates a paper trail that can protect both shippers and drivers if disputes arise.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does ShipHiker provide any guarantee?â–¼

No. ShipHiker is a connecting platform only. Similar to a classified ad, we just help people find each other. We provide as many tools as we can to help you feel confident, but ultimately, vetting is up to you. You can stay anonymous while you ask a contact questions. If you get a bad feeling, cancel the offer.

How do I know if a driver/shipper is trustworthy?â–¼

Check their profile carefully before accepting any offer. Look for:

  • Phone Verified badge: Confirms they verified their phone number.
  • Star ratings and reviews: Read what other users said about their experience.
  • Profile completeness: A filled-out bio and profile photo shows they're invested in the platform.
  • Message history: Use our anonymous chat to ask questions and get a feel for the person before committing.

Trust your instincts—if something feels off, wait for another offer.

What should I do if something goes wrong during a shipment?â–¼

ShipHiker is only a message board for people to connect—we cannot mediate disputes or provide customer support. If you encounter an issue (item not as described, no-show, damage, etc.), you'll need to resolve it directly with the other party. We strongly recommend meeting in public places, thoroughly vetting profiles before accepting offers, and documenting everything with photos. Consider your own insurance options for valuable items.

Are there background checks on drivers?â–¼

No. ShipHiker does not perform background checks or verify identities beyond phone number verification. All users must verify their phone number to post shipments or make offers, but you can browse without verification. Users are entirely responsible for vetting each other. Review profiles, ratings, and communicate via our messaging system before agreeing to any transaction. Always meet in public places and trust your judgment.

Can I cancel after accepting an offer?â–¼

Yes, but please be courteous. If you need to cancel, do so as soon as possible and communicate clearly with the other party. Cancellations or no-shows may result in negative reviews from other users. Only accept offers you're confident you can fulfill.

How do I pay/get paid?â–¼

ShipHiker does not process payments. Payment arrangements (cash, Venmo, Zelle, PayPal, etc.) are made directly between the shipper and driver. We provide a convenient PayPal button in your messages so you can easily connect and send payment links. We recommend PayPal Goods & Services for its buyer and seller protection features. For your safety, discuss and agree on the payment method before pickup. ShipHiker also provides a downloadable record of all your transaction communications, which can be helpful if you need to file a dispute with PayPal, Venmo, or any other payment provider you use.

Does ShipHiker take a commission or fee?â–¼

No. ShipHiker is currently free to use for both shippers and drivers. There are no platform fees, commissions, or subscription charges. The price you negotiate is the price you pay or receive.

When does payment happen - at pickup or delivery?â–¼

We recommend PayPal Goods & Services at or before pickup. This approach protects carriers from non-payment and gives shippers dispute protection through PayPal. Use our Transaction Export feature to download your full conversation history as evidence if needed for a dispute. Keep in mind: if transaction details lack delivery evidence (photos, confirmation messages) and a delivery goes missing, PayPal may side with the shipper. Carriers should document pickup and delivery with photos and messages to protect themselves. Alternative arrangements include:

  • Payment at pickup: Driver receives payment before loading the item.
  • Payment at delivery: Payment made when the item reaches its destination (less protection for drivers).
  • Split payment: Partial payment upfront, remainder upon delivery.

Discuss and agree on payment terms through messaging before meeting. Always export your transaction details after completion for your records.

Discuss and agree on payment terms through messaging before meeting.

What if the carrier wants to renegotiate the price?â–¼

Once an offer is accepted, both parties should honor the agreed price. However, if circumstances change (e.g., item is larger than described, extra stops required), it's fair to discuss adjustments. Always communicate changes before pickup. If you can't reach an agreement, you have the right to cancel and find another match. Be sure to leave honest reviews about your experience to help inform other users.

What can I ship? â–¼

Almost anything legal and safe. No drugs, weapons, or hazardous materials.

Can I share my shipment link on social media or other sites?â–¼

Yes! Every shipment gets a unique shareable link. You can post it anywhere to increase visibility and get more offers faster. Popular places to share include:

  • Social Media: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok
  • Marketplaces: Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace, local community boards
  • Direct Messaging: Text or email the link to friends, family, or coworkers who might be traveling your route
  • Forums & Groups: Share in travel or local community groups

The link shows your shipment details publicly, but your exact address and personal contact info remain hidden until you accept an offer. Viewers can make offers even without a ShipHiker account.

How do I export my transaction details for disputes?â–¼

ShipHiker automatically logs every message, photo, timestamp, and agreement detail. You can download this complete record anytime:

  1. Go to your Messages tab in your profile
  2. Open the conversation with the other party
  3. Click the "Export Transaction" button
  4. Download the PDF containing your full conversation history

What's included:

  • All messages with exact timestamps
  • Photos of the item at pickup and delivery
  • Offer acceptance and price agreement details
  • Payment method discussions and confirmations

This documentation is ideal for filing disputes with PayPal, credit card companies, or small claims court. Many payment providers require proof of agreement and delivery—this export provides exactly that. We recommend downloading it immediately after completing each shipment for your records.

Can people find me if I post an item using my address?â–¼

No. Your exact address remains private until you have officially agreed to a shipment. Here is how we protect your privacy:

  • Approximate Location: The map only shows a general area, not your specific home address.
  • Anonymous Chat: You can communicate with other users via ShipHiker messaging to ask questions before sharing any personal details.
  • Flexible Options: If you prefer, you can set your location to a public meeting spot or a drop-off point instead of your home.