From cakes to car parts: what South Africans are sending by on‑demand courier

South Africans are increasingly turning to on‑demand courier services to meet everyday needs, from delivering cakes to collecting car parts and dropping off keys and documents, according to new data from inDrive.

What the data shows

inDrive analysed about 5,000 courier orders placed in South Africa during the first half of 2026. The company found that the largest classified category locally was Food & Drink, accounting for 37.4% of classified orders. Within that group, cake was the most requested food item, making up 9.1% of Food & Drink orders.

Other prominent categories included Clothing & Shoes at 17.1% and Auto, Tools & Hardware at 13.3%. InDrive reported that South Africa recorded the highest share of deliveries in the Auto, Tools & Hardware category among the eight countries analysed. Electronics accounted for 6.7% of local orders, while smaller categories noted in the analysis included cosmetics, beauty and eyewear, keys, and documents and papers.

Why people are using couriers for everyday tasks

InDrive said the findings illustrate how people are using courier services to solve immediate, practical needs without making the journey themselves.

“A cake might seem like an unusual item to stand out in courier data, but it shows how people are using these services for very ordinary, personal needs,”

said Ashif Black, country representative at inDrive South Africa.

Trust and safety features

Trust remains an important factor for consumers handing goods to couriers. The article cites a 2025 report that found 85% of South African online shoppers would not buy from a retailer if they did not trust the delivery provider.

InDrive describes several features of its courier service intended to increase user confidence and visibility during deliveries:

• Identity verification for couriers during registration.
• The ability for users to review courier ratings and trip history before selecting a courier.
• Real‑time tracking with a shareable tracking link for recipients.
• An option for proof of delivery that uses a one‑time password the recipient must enter before the courier can mark the delivery as complete.

What it suggests

The inDrive analysis points to on‑demand courier services being used for a wider range of everyday errands and tasks than conventional parcel delivery alone, with South Africans sending items that reflect immediate personal and practical needs.