How Do I Pay For My Shipment?

Last Updated: April 21, 2026

How Payments Work on CitizenShipper

Every shipment on CitizenShipper involves two separate payments:

• Booking Fee: Paid to CitizenShipper at checkout to secure your shipment
• Driver’s Quote: Paid to your transporter for completing the delivery

For the Driver's Quote, CitizenShipper offers both direct payment options and a Secure Payments (escrow) system for eligible shipments.

Your Payment Options at a Glance:

• Secure Payments (available for pet shipments): Funds are held securely and only released after delivery is confirmed
• Direct to Driver Payments: You pay your driver directly using agreed-upon terms and methods

Part 1: The CitizenShipper Booking Fee

The Booking Fee is paid directly to CitizenShipper at the time of checkout. This fee is not part of the driver’s bid and is required to secure your transport.

What this fee covers:

• Access to Our Network: Instantly connects you to a nationwide network of thousands of background-checked, specialized transporters.
• Booking Assurance Guarantee: Rebooking assistance or a refund of the booking fee if your driver cancels.
• Safety & Verification: Background checks, identity verification, and ongoing monitoring for all drivers.
• Customer Support: Access to our support team throughout the journey.

The booking fee cost will vary depending on your shipment type. Please see our fee article to determine the amount of your booking fee. 

CitizenShipper verifies all drivers - learn more at our Trust & Safety Hub.

Part 2: The Driver’s Quote

Option A: The Secure Payments Program 

Available for: Pet shipments only

Best for: Customers who want built-in payment protection and peace of mind.

Our Secure Payments Program is an escrow payment system. Your funds are held in a protected account and only released to the driver after you confirm successful delivery using a unique Release PIN.

For eligible shipments (pet transport), this is the recommended option for added protection.

• How to Join: After creating your listing, contact support@citizenshipper.com to request Secure Payments activation. Our team will update your account within 24 hours. 
• Timing Note: To use this program, you must have it activated before you book a driver. Once a shipment is booked under standard terms, it cannot be converted to Secure Payments.
• The Benefit: Your money remains under our protection until you confirm the job is done

Option B: Direct-to-Driver Payments (Default)

Available for: All Shipments

Best for: Shippers who prefer flexibility or traditional payment methods.

Unless you request the Secure Payments update above, your account remains in our Direct-to-Driver payment flow by default. You will negotiate payment terms and methods directly with your transporter.

Understanding the Direct-to-Driver Payment Flow

• Independent Contractors: All transporters on the platform are independent business owners. Because they are not employees of CitizenShipper, they set their own payment preferences and schedules.
   
• Why Drivers Ask for Upfront Deposits: It is standard industry practice for drivers to request a portion of the quote (often 50%) at the time of pickup. This covers immediate "out-of-pocket" operational costs such as fuel, tolls, and specialized equipment needed for your trip.
   
• No Platform Intervention: CitizenShipper does not manage, process, or hold funds for Direct-to-Driver transactions. We cannot "reverse" a payment made via a third-party app like Zelle or Venmo.

Suggested Safeguards for Direct-to-Driver Payments

To ensure a smooth and secure experience, we recommend the following Best Practices:

1. Use Protected Platforms: Whenever possible, use a payment method with safeguards in place that allow you to dispute a payment like PayPal, ApplePay, Square, and credit card providers.
    
2. Avoid Untraceable Methods: Never send money via Western Union, MoneyGram, or direct Bank Wire. These methods offer zero recourse in the event of a dispute.
    
3. Get it in Writing: Use the CitizenShipper Messaging System to confirm the final price, the deposit amount, and the delivery balance before the driver arrives. This creates a timestamped record of your agreement.
    
4. Verify Upon Delivery: Always inspect your shipment before sending the final balance. Once the driver leaves, the transaction is considered complete.
    

Quick Comparison

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Booking Fee part of the driver's quote? 

No. The bid you see from a driver is 100% their take-home pay. The booking fee is an additional charge that covers platform security and support.

What if a driver asks for more money than the quote? 

The accepted bid is a binding agreement. If a driver requests additional funds for "unforeseen costs" not mentioned in the quote, do not pay and contact support@citizenshipper.com immediately.

Can I get a refund of the Booking Fee?

• If the driver cancels: You are eligible for a full refund of the booking fee if the cancellation occurs within 5 days of pickup. If it is more than 5 days out, our team will prioritize finding you a replacement driver.
• If you cancel: The booking fee is non-refundable but remains available as a non-expiring site credit. You can use this credit for any future shipment or even transfer it to a friend or family member.
  
  Please see our Refund Policy for a full list of eligibility terms 

How do I get a refund for the Driver’s Quote? 

Refunds for the driver's portion depend on which payment method you used:

• Secure Payments (Option A): Your payment is held in escrow and can be fully refunded by CitizenShipper if the driver cancels. See:  Canceled Shipments Policy (For Secure Payment Listings)
• Direct-to-Driver (Option B): Because these are private transactions, refunds are subject to your individual agreement with the driver. A cancellation fee may be owed to the driver per our Canceled shipments policy (for shipping customers)

Can CitizenShipper help with a payment dispute (Direct-to-Driver)? 

Yes. While we do not have the technical ability to reverse a private transaction (like Venmo or Zelle), our support team can help mediate disputes between you and your transporter. We will review all communication sent through our messaging system to help reach a fair resolution. However, since drivers are independent contractors, we cannot formally enforce a financial outcome for direct payments.

What if I pay a deposit and the driver stops responding? 

We take concerns regarding "ghosting" or scams extremely seriously. If you have made a payment and your driver becomes unresponsive, contact support@citizenshipper.com immediately. We will launch an investigation, attempt to contact the driver on your behalf, and take disciplinary action if necessary.

What to read next?

For more advice on making the most of your CitizenShipper experience, see the articles about ensuring a smooth transaction, why you should keep communication on the platform and how to recognize scams.

Also, check out our blog for advice on choosing the right driver.