Clicking the „Buy Now“ button takes a few seconds. Expecting your package to show up at your door takes a day or two but may feel like a lifetime. It may feel like your package magically appears at your door but behind the scenes, there’s an entire chain of people, processes, and checkpoints working together to make that delivery happen.
In this post, we’re giving you an insider’s look from our perspective as a logistics provider, showing you the full journey your shipment takes, from the moment it’s placed online to the moment it reaches your hands.
Order Processing Begins
The moment you place your order, the process kicks off. The seller’s system checks for item availability and confirms your payment. If everything checks out, a ticket is generated to begin fulfillment. This stage ensures the right product, size, color, and quantity is prepared for you.
Picking and Packing at the Fulfillment Center
In the fulfillment center, warehouse staff locate your item in storage, often guided by digital inventory systems. The item is then carefully packed, sometimes with protective materials or branded packaging. Labels containing your address, shipment barcode, and other essential details are applied. At this point, your package is officially ready to enter the transport network.
First Mile Delivery: From Warehouse to Distribution Hub
The first mile covers sorting and routing of parcel from the seller facility to the Distribution Center. This could be a short local drive or a longer route if the seller is in another region. During this stage, parcels from multiple senders are consolidated into larger shipments, making the next legs of the journey more efficient.
Middle Mile Transit: Traveling to the Destination Country
The middle mile bridges the gap between major logistics hubs. This stage often involves long-haul trucks, trains, cargo flights, or sea freight, depending on distance and delivery speed. If your package is crossing borders, this is where customs clearance comes into play, making sure goods meet all import regulations before moving forward.
Final Sorting for Local Delivery
Once in your country or region, your package passes through a few sorting centers – from regional to local. Here, it’s grouped with other shipments bound for your city or district. Each transfer gets it closer to the final delivery depot, ready for handoff to the courier responsible for your area.
Last Mile Delivery: To Your Doorstep
The last mile is where your shipment leaves the local depot and travels to your address. Couriers plan their routes to cover multiple stops in the shortest time. For apartment buildings, this could mean handover at the reception or parcel locker; for houses, a direct drop-off at your door. This final handoff completes the journey connecting you with your package.
At Meest, we handle every stage of your parcle’s journey with precision and reliability. From the moment your parcel enters our network, you can monitor its journey through advanced tracking systems and coordinated operations. Our local delivery partners carefully look after transitions between each stage, while our customer service team stays ready to assist if you need updates or support.