Efficient last-mile delivery is crucial for businesses looking to streamline their logistics. With pCustoms, booking a last-mile delivery is fast and hassle-free. Whether you’re a large corporation or a small business, our online platform enables you to schedule shipments, generate a Bill of Lading, and print Shipping Labels — all from your browser with just a few clicks. This guide will walk you through the simple steps to book your delivery.
Step 1: Open the New Booking Form
Once you generate your quote, click the quote you want to proceed with:
Then, click the "Book" button:
You can learn more about requesting a new quote for last mile delivery in the article here.
Step 2: Fill out the booking details
Now it's time to fill out the booking details:
You need to provide:
Shipper - Select from the US consignee/importer parties available in the Commercial Entities module that have the same zip code as your pickup
Consignee - Select from the US consignee/importer parties available in the Commercial Entities module that have the same zip code as your delivery
Line Item Description – Concise description of the goods being shipped, including any commodity-specific relevant specifications
Shipment Reference – Your unique identifier assigned to a shipment, such as a purchase order number, invoice number, or internal tracking code
Special Instructions – Any additional notes or handling requirements that need to be provided to the driver, such as fragile handling or specific loading/unloading instructions
Then, click on the "Checkout" button:
In the article here, you can learn more about creating new US consignee or importer entities in the Commercial Entities module.
Step 3: Confirm your payment information
Once you submit the booking form, the checkout dialog will open. Fill out your payment method as applicable to you:
Then, click on the "Pay" button below:
And you will be redirected to the "Payment History" module to review your payment:
Step 4: Review the booking profile
To open the booking profile you just made, click the "Last Mile Delivery" module button at the left navigation bar:
Then you will see all the bookings you have created in a table like the one below:
You can filter through the bookings by clicking the filter button in the respective column:
Or sort in ascending or descending order by clicking the respective column name:
Click on any column in the raw of the entity we just created to open its profile:
Then scroll down to the "Bill of Lading details" section, where you will see the entity profile in the below format:
Step 5: Print your Bill of Lading and Shipping Label
To print the Bill of Lading for your shipment, which you need to present to the driver when tendering your cargo, click the Bill of Lading button at the bottom:
Then, a Bill of Lading, similar to the below format, depending on the vendor assigned to your shipment, will be downloaded to your device:
To print the Shipping Label that you need to attach to your pallet, click the "Shipping Label" button:
Then, a shipping label, similar to the below format, depending on the vendor assigned to your shipment, will be downloaded to your device:
Please ensure you have the Bill of Lading printed on hand and the Shipping Label attached to your pallets when tendering your cargo to the driver.
To ensure your cargo is handled safely and arrives at its destination without damage, it is essential to properly pack and secure your pallet following industry best practices. This includes:
Using high-quality, durable boxes that can withstand stacking and handling without denting or collapsing. The boxes at the bottom should be strong enough to support the weight of those stacked on top.
Stacking cartons uniformly on your pallet to maintain balance and prevent shifting during transit. Avoid overhanging boxes, as they can be damaged during handling.
Using high-quality shrink wrap or stretch film to tightly secure the load and minimize movement. Wrap the pallet multiple times, ensuring the film reaches the base to secure the entire load.
Reinforcing the pallet with corner boards and strapping for additional stability, especially for fragile or high-value shipments.
Ensuring the total weight is evenly distributed to prevent tilting or collapse.
Attaching the shipping label securely in a visible and unobstructed location on the pallet. The barcode should be clear and scannable without any creases, folds, or obstructions. This helps ensure smooth processing, tracking, and accurate delivery of your shipment.
Printing the Bill of Lading and have it ready for the driver at the time of pickup when tendering the load. Ensure it is legible, accurate, and signed, as it acts as a receipt and contract of carriage between you and the carrier.
You can follow the article here to learn more about packing instructions for safe transport.
Booking a last-mile delivery in pCustoms is a straightforward process that allows businesses to efficiently schedule shipments, generate a Bill of Lading (BOL), and print Shipping Labels with just a few clicks. This guide walks you through the entire process, from opening a new booking form and entering shipment details to confirming payment and reviewing your booking profile. Once the booking is complete, you can print the BOL — which must be handed to the driver at pickup—and attach the Shipping Label securely to your pallet for smooth processing. To prevent damage and ensure safe transport, it’s crucial to follow industry best practices for packing, such as using durable boxes, securing loads with shrink wrap, and evenly distributing weight. By following these steps, you can streamline your last-mile delivery operations and ensure your cargo reaches its destination safely and efficiently.