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Cash on delivery in Algeria: a guide for online stores

By the COD Confirmation teamUpdated 2 min read

In Algeria, almost all e-commerce is paid in cash on delivery, either at the customer’s door or at a courier’s stop desk. To keep refusals low, confirm every order before shipping, offer stop-desk pickup for customers far from your delivery zones, quote the exact amount in dinars including delivery, and follow up by phone with customers who don’t reply to messages.

Key takeaways

  • Cash on delivery is the standard way to pay online in Algeria.
  • Offer both home delivery and stop-desk pickup, with clear prices for each.
  • Confirm every order before shipping; follow up by phone when messages go unanswered.
  • Track refusals by wilaya and adjust delivery options where returns are high.

How cash on delivery works in Algeria

Online payment by card is still a small part of Algerian e-commerce, so cash on delivery is the norm. Customers usually choose between two options:

Option How it works Typical use
Home delivery (à domicile) The courier delivers to the customer’s address and collects cash Customers in well-served cities
Stop desk The parcel goes to the courier’s pickup office; the customer collects and pays there Lower delivery cost, harder-to-reach areas

Delivery prices usually depend on the wilaya and the option, so show the exact total, in dinars (DA), before the customer orders.

Why COD orders get refused in Algeria

  • Orders from social media ads placed on impulse and forgotten a few days later.
  • Unreachable customers: wrong numbers or phones switched off when the courier calls.
  • Stop-desk parcels never collected because the customer wasn’t told it had arrived.
  • Delivery price surprises when the shipping cost wasn’t clear at checkout.
  • Duplicate orders placed through several channels.

Couriers and delivery

Algerian online stores typically work with delivery companies built for e-commerce, such as Yalidine, ZR Express and Maystro Delivery. They offer home and stop-desk delivery, collect cash and pay the store back. Coverage, prices and payout schedules differ by wilaya and change over time, so compare them on the regions you sell to most.

Confirming COD orders in Algeria

Confirm every order before it goes to the courier. A short message in French or Arabic with the order total and delivery option works well:

French
Bonjour {{1}} 👋 Merci pour votre commande {{3}}. Total à payer à la livraison : {{4}} Livraison : {{5}} Merci de confirmer pour que nous puissions l’expédier.
✅ Confirmer la commande
❌ Annuler la commande

Tips:

  • Confirm the delivery option (home or stop desk) and the wilaya in the same message.
  • Call customers who don’t reply. Phone calls remain common in Algeria; use a short call script.
  • Tell stop-desk customers when the parcel arrives, so it doesn’t sit uncollected and come back.
  • Ship quickly after confirmation; long waits lead to refusals.

More messages in Arabic and French: WhatsApp COD confirmation templates.

Checklist for COD stores in Algeria

  • Show delivery prices by wilaya and option before checkout.
  • Confirm every order, then call those who don’t answer.
  • Offer stop desk where home delivery is expensive or slow.
  • Track refusals and uncollected stop-desk parcels by wilaya.
  • Keep a list of customers who refused parcels and review their next orders.

Questions merchants ask

Can’t find the answer you’re looking for? Email info@usewhapi.com.

What is stop desk delivery in Algeria?
Stop desk means the parcel is delivered to a courier’s pickup office in the customer’s area instead of to their home. The customer collects it and pays there. It’s usually cheaper than home delivery and works well for customers in areas that are harder to reach.
Which couriers do Algerian online stores use?
Stores commonly work with e-commerce delivery companies such as Yalidine, ZR Express and Maystro Delivery, which deliver to homes or stop desks, collect cash on delivery and pay the store back. Compare coverage by wilaya, prices and payout times before choosing.
Is WhatsApp the best way to confirm orders in Algeria?
It works well for customers who use WhatsApp, and it’s automatic. Many Algerian shoppers also rely on phone calls, Viber and Facebook Messenger, so keep a phone call as the follow-up for anyone who doesn’t answer the WhatsApp message.

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