# E-commerce last mile delivery

*Last updated: 2026-06-23*

> Unlike upstream transport stages – ocean freight, air freight, or long-haul road haulage – last-mile delivery refers to the leg on which a parcel travels from a regional distribution or sorting centre directly to the consignee, in e-commerce typically a private address.

Unlike upstream transport stages – ocean freight, air freight, or long-haul road haulage – last-mile delivery refers to the leg on which a parcel travels from a regional distribution or sorting centre directly to the consignee, in e-commerce typically a private address. This final segment is widely regarded as the most expensive in the entire supply chain: each shipment must be individually notified, delivered, and re-attempted if the recipient is unavailable, driving up both labour and vehicle costs. Parcel carriers, local couriers, locker networks, and increasingly autonomous delivery concepts compete for this stretch. For online retailers, last-mile efficiency has a direct bearing on shipping costs, customer satisfaction, and return rates. The term applies beyond B2C logistics, but that is where its commercial impact is most pronounced.

**Source:** [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Last_mile_(logistics)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Last_mile_(logistics))

## Quick Facts

| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Term | E-commerce last mile delivery |
| Language | EN |
| Word count | 126 |
| Last updated | 2026-06-23 |
| Source | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Last_mile_(logistics) |

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