The last mile is where your customer actually experiences your supply chain. A shipment can move perfectly across the country and still fail at the final step: a missed delivery, a lost proof of delivery, or a pincode the partner simply doesn't serve. Choosing the right last-mile partner protects everything that came before it.

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Here are six questions to ask before you sign.

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1. How Far Does Your Network Really Reach?

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Coverage maps can be misleading. Ask specifically about ODA (out-of-delivery-area) locations, the remote towns, industrial zones and rural pincodes outside standard service zones.

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• Which pincodes are served directly, and which through third parties?
• What are the extra charges and added transit time for ODA deliveries?
• How often are ODA locations actually delivered on time?

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2. How Do You Capture Proof of Delivery?

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POD (proof of delivery) is your evidence that goods reached the right person in the right condition. Ask:

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• Is POD captured digitally, with signature, photo, timestamp or geo-location?
• How quickly is POD available after delivery?
• Can POD be accessed easily for audits, billing or disputes?

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Paper PODs that take days to surface create billing delays and weaken your position in disputes.

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3. What SLAs Will You Commit To, and What Happens If You Miss Them?

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Every partner promises fast delivery. The real question is accountability.

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• What are the committed delivery timelines by region and service type?
• How is SLA performance measured and reported?
• Are there penalties, credits or escalation paths when SLAs are missed?

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An SLA without consequences is just a target.

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4. How Much Visibility Will We Have?

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You should never have to call a partner to find out where a shipment is. Look for real-time tracking, milestone updates and regular MIS reports on delivery performance, failed attempts and exceptions.

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5. How Do You Handle Failed Deliveries and Exceptions?

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Failed attempts happen: the consignee is unavailable, the address is incomplete, or access is restricted. Ask how many reattempts are made, how quickly you're notified, and how returns (RTO) are managed and tracked.

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6. Can You Handle Our Specific Cargo?

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Not every partner is equipped for every shipment. Confirm experience with your cargo type, whether that's high-value goods, fragile items, temperature-sensitive products or bulky consignments, along with packaging, handling and insurance standards.

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The Bottom Line

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A good last-mile partner isn't just the cheapest or the fastest on paper. It's the one with genuine reach, reliable proof, clear accountability and full visibility, so you know every delivery is handled, and you can prove it.

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The Avexor Advantage

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Avexor combines Express Surface and Vexa Air with last-mile delivery backed by digital POD, milestone tracking and real-time MIS, including coverage for hard-to-reach locations. One partner, accountable from pickup to final doorstep.