On this page · 8 sections
Most delays and disputes in a shipment happen at the end. The truck reached the city on time, but the shop was shut, the street was closed to trucks, or nobody signed for the goods. This guide covers how to plan the last mile so the delivery is clean and provable.
What the last mile covers
For a business shipment, the last mile starts when goods reach the destination branch or hub. From there they are either delivered to the consignee’s door or released to the consignee at the branch. Agree which one applies when you book. It changes the cost, the timing and who must be present.
Safe & Secure Logistics has run road transport since 1951, with 110+ branches and offices and 2,000+ destinations. Our last-mile delivery service delivers consignments from our destination branches, and our desk arranges local vehicles for city and retail drops.
Choosing the vehicle
Pick the vehicle for the street, not only for the load.
- Small commercial vehicles suit narrow markets, retail drops and multi-stop routes.
- Light and medium trucks suit dealer drops and part-filled distributor deliveries.
- Larger trucks suit warehouse and site deliveries where there is a dock and turning space.
Ask the consignee about access before booking: lane width, parking, height limits and whether a loading bay exists. Our which truck tool helps size the load.
Delivery windows
Two kinds of window shape a city delivery.
- City entry windows. Many cities restrict when goods vehicles may enter or use certain roads. These are set by local authorities and traffic police and change from time to time. Check the current rules for your city.
- Receiving windows. Shops, malls and warehouses accept goods only at certain hours. Some need an appointment.
Give your carrier both windows at booking. A truck that arrives outside them waits, and waiting adds cost and risk.
Proof of delivery
Proof of delivery (POD) is the record that the consignee received the goods. It is what you rely on if there is a claim about shortage, damage or non-delivery.
A good POD shows:
- the consignment or LR number
- the consignee’s name, signature and stamp where the business uses one
- the date and time of delivery
- any remarks on shortage or damage, written at the time
Ask the consignee to note any damage on the POD before signing. A clean signature on a damaged delivery is hard to dispute later. Our guide to the lorry receipt explains the document that the POD closes out.
Paperwork for the final leg
The goods still need valid documents on the last leg. Under Rule 138 of the CGST Rules, an e-way bill may be needed for the movement depending on value and state rules. Keep the invoice and e-way bill with the goods until delivery. Our guide to GST and the e-way bill covers the basics.
Returns and refused deliveries
Plan for the delivery that does not happen.
- Refusal. Decide in advance whether the carrier should hold, reattempt or return.
- Partial acceptance. Agree how short or rejected cases are recorded and sent back.
- Reverse pickup. If the consignee is sending stock back, book it as its own movement with its own documents.
Put these instructions in writing at booking. It saves a phone chain on the day.
A short checklist before you book
- Delivery address, pincode and consignee contact
- Door delivery or branch release
- Street access and vehicle limits
- City entry and receiving windows
- POD requirements, including stamp and remarks
- Instructions for refusals and returns
Get a plan for your deliveries
Send your drops, pincodes and timing and our desk will plan the vehicle and the delivery. Request a quote for a single load, or send an RFQ for regular deliveries.
Figures for Safe & Secure Logistics are for FY2025-26 from our booking register. How each one is counted is on the Facts and sources page.