GlossaryEN1 min readUpdated: Jun 22, 2026
outbound logistics
Outbound logistics covers every process that moves finished or trade-ready goods from the warehouse dispatch point to the end customer or recipient.
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Definition & Explanation
Outbound logistics covers every process that moves finished or trade-ready goods from the warehouse dispatch point to the end customer or recipient. Core activities are order picking, packing, outbound quality checks, route planning, carrier handover, and last-mile delivery. Performance is measured by customer-facing metrics: on-time in-full (OTIF) rate, order accuracy, and return rate. Where inbound logistics focuses on receiving and storing incoming stock, outbound logistics is oriented entirely toward the customer. E-commerce has raised the stakes considerably—short delivery commitments, high parcel volumes, and growing return flows demand scalable and often heavily automated processes. Many manufacturers and retailers delegate outbound logistics to a third-party logistics provider (3PL) or run a dedicated distribution centre.
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