First Mile

First mile describes the beginning segment of a product’s journey through the supply chain—from where it’s produced or stored to the first major transportation hub. It’s the counterpart to “last mile” delivery.

First Mile in Different Contexts

E-commerce

The journey from a seller’s location to the carrier’s sorting facility:

• Seller prints label and packages order
• Carrier picks up or seller drops off
• Package enters carrier’s network

Manufacturing

Moving raw materials or finished goods from factory to distribution:

• Products leave production line
• Loaded onto trucks at factory dock
• Transported to distribution center or port

International Shipping

Getting goods from origin country to export hub:

• Factory to local warehouse
• Warehouse to port or airport
• Customs clearance and loading

First Mile Challenges

1. Pickup reliability - Getting carriers to arrive on schedule
2. Packaging consistency - Ensuring products are ship-ready
3. Data accuracy - Correct labeling and documentation
4. Consolidation - Combining small shipments efficiently
5. Rural origins - Limited carrier options in remote areas

Optimizing First Mile

• Scheduled pickups - Regular daily pickup times
• Drop-off options - Use carrier locations when convenient
• Carrier diversification - Multiple options for flexibility
• Pack stations - Streamlined packaging workflows
• Postal injection - Bypass first mile by delivering directly to sort facilities