First Mile Shipping
Need help with first mile service? Learn more about first mile delivery and more freight terms in our glossary.
What Is First Mile Service?
Shipping a product doesn’t just automatically go from the manufacturer to the customer. The delivery process can be divided into three steps, which are also divided into substeps. Each step is detrimental to continuing the flow of goods without interruptions and ensuring faster deliveries and customer satisfaction.
First Mile shipping is the first step in the delivery process, where goods are transported from the manufacturer to a warehouse, terminal, or transporter (for international shipping) for further processing. The first leg of a product’s journey has a lot going on regarding logistics. Not only does the shipment need to arrive at a warehouse or transporter on time, but it also must lay the groundwork so that the rest of the delivery process goes smoothly.
Learn more about First Mile shipping and how FreightCenter can optimize your shipping experience below.
We provide competitive freight shipping prices and an all-inclusive, easy-to-use shipping experience for our customers. Exceeding our customers’ expectations results in thousands of satisfied customer reviews and repeat business. We believe in the power of our customer relationships. Check out FreightCenter reviews from real customers, and learn what they have to say about their freight shipping experience!
Awards and Endorsements
- 2021, 2017 & 2016 Food Logistics’ Top Green Providers
- 2021 & 2018 Supply & Demand Chain Executives’ Pros to Know: Matthew Brosious
- 2020 & 2019 Top Food Logistics’ 3PL & Cold Storage Provider Award
- 2020 & 2019 Business Observer’s Top 500 Companies on the Gulf Coast
- 2020 & 2017 SmartWay® Transport Partner
- 2020 & 2017 Food Logistics’ Champions: Rock Stars of the Supply Chain
- 2020 Best of Palm Harbor Awards for Local Businesses
- 2017 Green Supply Chain Award from Supply & Demand Chain Executive
- 2017 Tampa Bay Business Journal Heroes at Work
- 2016, 2015, & 2012 Food Logistics Top 100 Software and Technology Providers
- 2013 Tampa Bay Business 100 by Tampa Bay Business Journal
- 2013 Top 100 Great Supply Chain Partners by SupplyChainBrain
- 2012 TIA Samaritan Award Honorable Mention
- 2012, 2011 & 2010 TBBJ Fast 50 Recipient
- 2013, 2011, & 2010 Diversity Business Top Businesses
Why Choose FreightCenter for First Mile Shipping?
Expertise in Freight Shipping: With over 25 years in the logistics industry, FreightCenter is dedicated to guiding you through the entire logistics process, from beginning to end. Our goal is to make freight shipping easy to understand and book. Don’t waste time researching and receiving quotes from individual carriers- FreightCenter’s got your back!
Competitive Rates with Tailored Solutions: We prioritize high-quality customer service without breaking your wallet. We utilize our relationships with regional and national carriers to offer you competitive, affordable rates while providing personalized solutions to your needs. Need a liftgate? We got you! Want to expedite your order? Leave it to us! We’re ready to provide tailored solutions that don’t compromise your freight shipment.
Personalized Customer Support: FreightCenter is committed to satisfying our customers. Our friendly customer support team is here to help you every step of the way, from initial inquiries to post-shipment concerns. We handle all aspects of logistics, including tracking, paperwork, and communication with carriers, so you can focus on your business while we manage your shipment. Choose us for our reliable service and affordable quotes!
How First Mile Shipping Works
The delivery process can be broken down into two-three steps, depending on whether you are shipping domestic or international:
- First Mile Shipping: The manufacturer or supplier distributes an item to a warehouse, terminal, or transporter.
- Middle Mile Shipping: The item is transported to a port of entry (or B2B), which then transfers to a warehouse or fulfillment center. This step is mainly for international or cross-country shipments.
- Final Mile Shipping: A delivery vehicle takes the item from the warehouse or fulfillment center to the customer.
First Mile shipping is the first step in the process, taking newly-created products and transferring them to either a warehouse for storage or a transporter to ship the products across borders (or across the country). The steps go something like this:
- Manufacturers finish developing their products.
- The products are packed together into large, palletized bulks. They are usually not branded during this step, saving that job for fulfillment centers or warehouses with packaging services.
- The products are scanned and processed for delivery.
- The products are either shipped to a warehouse to be registered and stored, a fulfillment center to be prepared for a customer, or a transporter to be shipped across land or sea.
When retail owners order products for their businesses, they only order a certain amount. They have to balance inventory levels with customer demands while avoiding shrinkage (or a loss in inventory due to reasons outside of sales) or overabundance of products. They must also anticipate when their inventory levels will run low because ordering and receiving more products takes time.
That’s why First Mile shipping is so crucial to retailers. Products must get to the warehouses in time to satisfy customer and retailer demand. This can be difficult, considering how time-consuming and expensive transportation can be, especially if shipping overseas. However, if retailers consider First Mile shipping while managing their inventories, product flow will be smooth, and deliveries can be efficient. If First Mile shipping is ineffective, then the rest of the supply chain will be negatively affected.
What Is Final Mile Shipping?
Final Mile shipping (or Last Mile shipping) is the opposite of First Mile shipping and the most well-known step in the delivery process. Final Mile revolves around the customer, beginning when they order an item and ending when the product is handed to them. Here’s a summary of how it works:
- A customer orders an item.
- The item is picked, packed, and sent from the warehouse to a distribution center.
- A fleet manager (or the fleet’s software) creates a delivery route based on the customer’s location, scheduled arrival time, and the driver’s fuel consumption.
- The item is scanned. Tracking information is sent to the customer.
- The customer’s item is delivered to them.
- The delivery driver creates Proof of Delivery (POD) by signing a document or taking a picture of the item.
Both First Mile and Final Mile shipping revolve around getting items from one place to another, aiming to reach customers. However, First Mile transports bulk-sized, unbranded pallets of the same products to be stored and used later, while Final Mile delivers individual, branded packages to fulfill customer orders.
However, the main difference is how influential the two steps are. While those outside logistics know Final Mile better since it is the process they are directly involved in, First Mile shipping makes Final Mile possible in the first place. It’s not as understood as Final Mile; however, it is a vital step in the delivery process and something retailers should be more familiar with if they wish to optimize their business operations.
To create value for our customers by delivering customized shipping solutions that meet their unique needs and to fulfill shipping demands from simple to complex with expertise, guidance and ingenuity.
Trust the experts at FreightCenter to give you the best prices and the most comprehensive options for all your LTL freight shipping needs.
We deliver optimized solutions for full or partial truckloads and competitive dry van, flatbed, and refrigerated freight pricing. We can cover your full truckload shipping needs.
Nationwide Expedited Trucking services move your freight securely and rapidly. Your freight requires fast delivery; our freight shipping experts can get your shipment fast, whether in one large box or a full truckload.
The most reliable Specialized Freight Services rates from all the top carriers are just a few steps away. From white glove service to international shipping, we've got you covered.
FreightCenter Handles First Mile Shipping
What step is your business preparing for? Are you a supplier or manufacturer ready to send your products to retailers, or are you shipping said products to your customers?
No matter what step in the supply chain you are, FreightCenter is ready to help you enhance your shipping experience. We offer tailored solutions for all your shipping needs while providing professional expertise, competitive rates, friendly customer support, and even unique rewards for shipping with us!
We’ll guide you through the entire delivery process, from beginning to end, handling the most challenging aspects of shipping so you can concentrate on your core objectives.
Ready to get started? Call (800) 716-7608 to speak to one of our agents, or try our free online quote tool to get your first initial rates today!
Frequently Asked Questions about First Mile Shipping
Q. What is First Mile Shipping?
The First Mile service is the initial step in the supply chain when manufacturers and suppliers deliver their products to a warehouse, fulfillment center, or transporter to be shipped internationally.
Q. Why does First Mile shipping matter?
First Mile shipping is the start of the supply chain. Retailers rely on the First Mile to replenish their inventory levels against customer demand. Since shipments can take a long time, retailers have to carefully order a specific amount of products without incurring shrinkage or over-ordering.
Q. How is First Mile shipping different from Final Mile shipping?
First Mile and Final Mile shipping are both parts of the supply chain, and they need to function smoothly to effectively move goods and services through the supply chain. However, The First Mile concerns bulks of unbranded products from suppliers and manufacturers. Final Mile revolves around the customer, from ordering a product to being handed their individualized, branded package.
Three Advantages of Using FreightCenter for First Mile Shipping
25+ Years of Service
We have over 25 years of experience, as evidenced by our large network of professional carriers. Our knowledgeable team of shipping experts is ready to help you optimize your shipping experience.
Customizable Shipping Options
Need a liftgate? No problem! Need to ship your products quickly? We got you covered! Our FreightCenter agents can offer tailored solutions for your specific shipping needs while offering affordable rates you can’t find anywhere else.
Friendly Customer Support
Our customer support team has the answers to many of your shipping questions and concerns. We’re here to help you through every step of the shipping process, from initial inquiries to post-shipment issues.