# Alvy Logistics: full text

> Alvy Logistics is a Valencia, California logistics company: courier and final mile delivery, freight shipping, warehousing, 3PL and order fulfillment for businesses across Southern California.

Generated 2026-10-22 from the same source files as https://www.alvylogistics.com. Prices are starting rates before extras, as of 2026-10-08; every job gets a written quote. Company facts, identifiers and limits: https://www.alvylogistics.com/llms.txt

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# How much does a courier cost in Los Angeles?

URL: https://www.alvylogistics.com/guides/courier-cost-los-angeles
Type: Guide
Updated: 2026-10-08

Courier cost at Alvy Logistics in Los Angeles starts at $45 by car, $80 by cargo van and $200 by 20 to 26 ft box truck (2026 rates), each covering the first 20 miles. After that, mileage can start as low as $1.20 a mile, depending on the vehicle and route. Extras such as wait time are quoted and listed on your written quote.

## Los Angeles courier rates by vehicle (2026)

The Alvy Logistics 2026 courier rate card. The base rate covers the first 20 trip miles between pickup and delivery.

| Vehicle | Base rate (first 20 miles) | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| Car | $45 | Documents, small parcels, lab specimens, keys |
| Cargo van | $80 | Cartons, parts, multi-piece orders, light freight |
| 20 to 26 ft box truck | $200 | Pallets, furniture, fixtures, bulky freight |

Starting rates. The base rate is also the minimum charge for each vehicle. After the first 20 miles, mileage can start as low as $1.20 a mile, depending on the vehicle and the route, and it is set on your written quote. Extras such as wait time, extra stops, a liftgate and after-hours timing are quoted when the job needs them. Rates as of 2026-10-08.

## What a courier delivery in Los Angeles actually costs

Courier cost looks opaque because most courier companies do not publish their rates. It is not complicated. Every quote is built from three parts:

1. **A base rate for the vehicle**, which also covers the first stretch of miles.
2. **Mileage** beyond that stretch.
3. **Extras** for anything that takes more time, more people or odd hours.

On the Alvy Logistics 2026 rate card, a car delivery starts at $45, a cargo van at $80 and a 20 to 26 ft box truck at $200. Each covers the first 20 miles between pickup and delivery. After that, mileage can start as low as $1.20 a mile, depending on the vehicle and the route, and it is set on your written quote.

These are the rates behind our [courier service in Los Angeles](https://www.alvylogistics.com/courier) and every other service area.

## How much does a courier cost by vehicle?

The vehicle is the biggest price driver, so the cheapest delivery is the one in the smallest vehicle that fits.

- **Car.** Documents, small parcels, lab specimens, keys, parts that fit on a seat. From $45.
- **Cargo van.** Cartons, multi-piece orders, light freight up to what two people can load by hand. From $80.
- **Box truck (20 to 26 ft).** Pallets, furniture, fixtures and anything that needs a liftgate or a pallet jack. From $200.

If a load is borderline, send the weight and dimensions. Sending a van when a car would do is the most common way businesses overpay for courier work.

## Which Los Angeles courier runs stay inside the base rate?

A run of 20 miles or less costs the vehicle's base rate and nothing more: $45 by car, $80 by cargo van or $200 by box truck, before extras. Plenty of everyday Los Angeles work fits inside that. Past 20 miles, only the miles beyond the twentieth are added. Distances are typical driving miles; your quote uses the actual route.

| Route | About | What you pay for |
|---|---|---|
| Burbank to Glendale | 6 miles | Base rate only |
| Santa Monica to Culver City | 7 miles | Base rate only |
| Valencia to Newhall | 9 miles | Base rate only |
| Carson to downtown Long Beach | 9 miles | Base rate only |
| Burbank to Santa Monica | 24 miles | Base rate plus 4 miles of mileage |
| Valencia to downtown Los Angeles | 40 miles | Base rate plus 20 miles of mileage |
| Downtown Los Angeles to Irvine | 40 miles | Base rate plus 20 miles of mileage |
| LAX to Valencia | 45 miles | Base rate plus 25 miles of mileage |

Our drivers are based across the region, so the miles start where your shipment is picked up. A run between two Westside or two Valley addresses is priced on its own trip, not from Valencia.

## What extras change a courier quote?

The base rate and mileage are most of the price on a routine run. Extras only apply when the job needs them. They are quoted for your job, not added by default, and each one is listed on your written quote before a driver is dispatched. These are the ones that come up:

- **Wait time.** A short wait at pickup and delivery is included. A long wait at a dock or a front desk is added when it happens.
- **Extra stops.** A run with more than one pickup or delivery is priced for the added stops.
- **Attempted delivery.** If the receiver is closed or turns the load away, the return or the second attempt is quoted.
- **Pickup and hold.** Freight picked up now and delivered later, or held for a delivery appointment, sits at the Valencia warehouse until it goes out.
- **Heavy loads.** Weight over 1,000 lbs is quoted on the job.
- **A second person.** Items too heavy or awkward for one driver to carry safely.
- **Equipment.** A liftgate or a pallet jack on box truck runs.
- **Timing.** After-hours (8pm to 8am), weekend and holiday deliveries.

Three things are not extras in the usual sense. **Tolls** are passed through at cost when a route uses a toll road or an express lane. A **fuel surcharge** may apply when fuel prices are high, and it shows on the quote if it does. And there is **no charge to bring a driver to you**: drivers are based in each area we serve, so a pickup in the San Fernando Valley, Orange County or San Diego is priced from the pickup, not from Valencia.

## Do long courier runs cost more per mile?

No. There is no separate long-distance band. A car run from Los Angeles to San Diego is the $45 base for the first 20 miles plus mileage for the rest of the trip, priced the same way as a run across town. If a run is long enough that a [box truck](https://www.alvylogistics.com/courier/box-truck-delivery) or a dedicated driver for the day is the better buy, the coordinator will say so on the call.

## Is a scheduled route cheaper than on-demand courier?

Usually, yes. On-demand courier pricing assumes a driver is dispatched for one job. A recurring route, such as daily lab pickups or weekly store replenishment, lets the stops share one driver and one vehicle, so it is priced per stop or per route instead of per delivery. If you book the same run more than a couple of times a week, ask for a route price. See [same-day courier service](https://www.alvylogistics.com/courier/same-day) and [final mile delivery](https://www.alvylogistics.com/courier/final-mile-delivery) for how each works.

## What does final mile delivery cost?

The cost of last mile delivery depends on how the deliveries are grouped. A single on-demand final mile drop is priced like any courier run: the vehicle base rate plus mileage. A batch of deliveries for a retailer or brand on one route is priced per stop, which brings the cost per delivery down as the route fills up. White glove final mile, where the crew carries the item in, places it and removes the packaging, is priced as its own service: from $160 by cargo van and from $325 by box truck for a local delivery, with distance, crew size and access setting the rest of the quote. See [white glove delivery](https://www.alvylogistics.com/courier/white-glove-delivery) for what that includes, and the [white glove delivery cost guide](https://www.alvylogistics.com/guides/white-glove-delivery-cost) for what changes the price.

## How courier costs compare with other options

App-based delivery platforms can be cheaper for a single small parcel, but they rarely handle pallets, liftgates, scheduled routes or invoicing to a business account. In-house drivers make sense once you have enough steady volume to keep a driver and vehicle busy all day. A business courier sits between the two: priced per job, with the vehicle matched to the load and one account for every delivery.

## How to get an exact courier quote

Send the pickup and delivery addresses, what is going and how much it weighs, the time window, and any access details such as a loading dock, stairs or a gate code. A coordinator can quote most courier work on the call, and the written quote lists the base rate, mileage and any extras before the driver is dispatched. You can [request a quote](https://www.alvylogistics.com/request-quote) or call during business hours.

## Courier cost questions

### How much does a courier service cost?

For local business deliveries in Los Angeles, the vehicle sets the starting price: at Alvy Logistics a car starts at $45, a cargo van at $80 and a box truck at $200 for the first 20 miles. Mileage after that can start as low as $1.20 a mile, and any extras the job needs are quoted and listed on your written quote.

### What is the going rate for a courier in Los Angeles?

A short same-day car delivery inside 20 miles runs about $45 with us. Cargo van work starts at $80 and box truck freight at $200. Past 20 miles, mileage depends on the vehicle and the route, can start as low as $1.20 a mile, and is set on your quote before the driver goes.

### Which courier option is cheapest?

The smallest vehicle that fits the load. A document or small parcel in a car costs far less than the same delivery in a van. For recurring deliveries, a scheduled route priced per stop is usually cheaper than booking each run on demand.

### What extra fees do couriers charge?

The common ones are wait time beyond a free window, extra stops, attempted deliveries, weight over 1,000 lbs, a liftgate or pallet jack, a second person, and after-hours, weekend or holiday timing. At Alvy Logistics each one is quoted only when the job needs it and listed on your written quote. Tolls are passed through at cost, and a fuel surcharge may apply.

### Is there a charge to send a courier to my area?

No. Alvy Logistics drivers are based in each area we serve, from Fresno and the Central Valley to San Diego County, so there is no charge to bring a driver to you. The trip is priced from pickup to delivery, and long runs have no separate long-distance band.

### How do I get an exact courier quote?

Send the pickup and delivery addresses, what is going (size, weight, number of pieces), the time window, and any access details such as a dock, stairs or a liftgate. With those, a coordinator can quote most courier jobs on the call.

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# 3PL pricing and pallet storage rates in north LA County (2026)

URL: https://www.alvylogistics.com/guides/3pl-pallet-storage-pricing
Type: Guide
Updated: 2026-10-07

3PL pricing is built from four lines: storage, pallet handling, order processing and labor. At Alvy Logistics in Valencia, north Los Angeles County, pallet storage starts at $25 per pallet per month, with handling from $12 per pallet in or out, order processing from $5 per order and project labor from $38 an hour. Pick and pack labor and kitting are quoted per job.

## 3PL and warehouse rates in Valencia (2026)

The Alvy Logistics 2026 warehouse rate card, shown as starting prices.

| Line item | Starting at | Charged for |
|---|---|---|
| Pallet storage | $25 per pallet per month | Each pallet stored, each month |
| Dedicated floor space | $2.50 per sq ft per month | A footprint reserved for you, each month |
| Inbound pallet handling | $12 per pallet | Each pallet received |
| Outbound pallet handling | $12 per pallet | Each pallet shipped |
| Container unloading | Quoted per container | Each container unloaded at the dock |
| Order processing | $5 per order | Each ecommerce or B2B order |
| Special project labor | $38 per hour | Relabeling, rework and other one-off jobs |

Not on this card: pick and pack labor and kitting, which are priced per job from a sample of your real orders, and postage or freight, which are billed separately. Ask for a written quote: it shows each line for your inventory and orders. Rates as of 2026-10-08.

## How does 3PL pricing work?

3PL pricing looks harder to compare than it is, mostly because few 3PLs publish their rates. Every quote, ours included, is built from the same handful of lines:

1. **Storage.** What it costs to keep inventory in the building each month, billed per pallet, per square foot, per bin or shelf, or per cubic foot.
2. **Receiving.** Handling inbound freight, billed per pallet, per carton, per unit or per container.
3. **Fulfillment.** Picking, packing and processing each order, billed per order, often with a per-item charge for extra units.
4. **Labor and projects.** Kitting, relabeling, rework and anything that is not a standard order, billed per hour or per job.
5. **Shipping.** Postage and freight, billed separately from the warehouse work.

On the Alvy Logistics 2026 card, storage starts at $25 per pallet per month, or $2.50 per square foot per month for dedicated space. Receiving or shipping a pallet starts at $12, order processing starts at $5 per order and project labor starts at $38 an hour. Container unloading is quoted per container. Pick and pack labor and [kitting and assembly](https://www.alvylogistics.com/fulfillment/kitting-assembly) are quoted per job, because they depend on what is in each order.

Our [3PL services](https://www.alvylogistics.com/3pl) page lists what each line covers.

## How much does a 3PL cost each month? A worked example

Take a brand that stores 50 pallets, ships 1,000 ecommerce orders a month, receives 4 pallets of new stock and sends 2 pallets to a wholesale customer. That month has no container unloads and no project hours.

| Line | Math | Monthly cost |
|---|---|---|
| Pallet storage | 50 pallets × $25 | $1,250 |
| Inbound pallets | 4 × $12 | $48 |
| Outbound pallets | 2 × $12 | $24 |
| Order processing | 1,000 orders × $5 | $5,000 |
| **Rate card lines** | | **$6,322** |
| Pick and pack labor and packaging | Quoted per job | Not included |
| Postage | Billed separately | Not included |

That is $6,322 ÷ 1,000 orders, or about $6.32 per order for storage, pallet handling and order processing at the starting rates. It is not the full cost of fulfillment. Pick and pack labor is quoted per job after we see a sample of real orders, because a one-item order in a mailer and a five-item order with inserts are different jobs. Packaging is quoted with it, postage is billed separately, and special projects such as relabeling start at $38 an hour.

## How do you calculate fulfillment cost per order?

Add every warehouse charge for the month, not just the order fee, and divide by orders shipped. Storage belongs in the number: slow-moving stock costs the same each month whether or not it sells.

In the example above, storage is about a fifth of the rate card lines ($1,250 of $6,322). Cut the stock to 30 pallets and storage falls to $750 (30 × $25), the same lines total $5,822, and the figure drops to about $5.82 per order. Add your pick and pack labor, packaging and average postage per order to that, and you have the real answer to how much fulfillment costs you.

See how orders move through our [ecommerce fulfillment services](https://www.alvylogistics.com/fulfillment).

## How does storage fit into a 3PL bill?

If you are billed per pallet, the rate is the cost: from $25 per pallet per month on our card. If you are billed per square foot, you have to convert.

A standard 48 by 40 inch pallet covers about 13.3 square feet of floor (1,920 square inches ÷ 144). At $2.50 per square foot, $25 buys 10 square feet. So 1,000 square feet of dedicated space is $2,500 a month, the same as 100 pallets at $25, yet it holds at most 75 single-height pallets with no aisles at all, and fewer once you leave aisles to reach them. For pallets stored one high, per-pallet pricing wins. Stack pallets two high and the square-foot price can come out ahead. Dedicated space also suits fixtures and bulky goods that are not on pallets, or when you want a footprint held for you. See [pallet storage](https://www.alvylogistics.com/warehousing/pallet-storage) for how positions are set up.

For the per-pallet arithmetic, see [how to calculate storage cost per pallet](https://www.alvylogistics.com/warehousing/pallet-storage).

## What are the 3PL pricing models?

| Model | How it works | Fits | Watch for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Per pallet per month | Each pallet stored is billed monthly | Palletized stock, wholesale, steady inventory | How partial or oversized pallets are counted |
| Per square foot per month | A footprint is reserved for you | Stackable or non-palletized goods, longer terms | You pay for aisles and empty space |
| Per order, plus per item | A fee per order shipped, with charges for extra units | Ecommerce brands with steady orders | Add-on fees for inserts, packaging and kitting |
| Per bin, shelf or cubic foot | Small items billed by location or volume | Many SKUs with few units each | Location counts creep up as SKUs grow |
| All-in per order | Storage and handling folded into one order fee | Simple budgeting | Hard to compare, and storage is hidden in the fee |

We price storage per pallet or per square foot, handling per pallet, and order processing per order, as separate lines, so you can see which part of the job costs what. Order handling is covered on the [pick and pack fulfillment](https://www.alvylogistics.com/fulfillment/pick-and-pack) page.

## What drives each line of a 3PL quote?

| Line | What pushes it up | What brings it down |
|---|---|---|
| Storage | Slow-moving SKUs, overstock, oversized or unstackable pallets | Smaller reorders, clearing dead stock |
| Receiving | Floor-loaded containers, mixed SKUs per pallet, counts by unit | Palletized, labeled freight with a packing list |
| Order processing and pick and pack | Many units per order, inserts, custom packaging, retailer routing guides | Standard packaging and a consistent order profile |
| Projects | Relabeling, rework, kit building | Labels applied by the vendor, kits built at the factory |
| Shipping | Oversized boxes, long zones | Right-sized boxes, shipping from near your customers |

## Which 3PL fees are easy to miss?

The fees that surprise brands after signing are rarely the headline rates. Ask every 3PL, us included, about setup or onboarding fees, monthly minimums, long-term storage surcharges, receiving billed per unit instead of per pallet, packaging markups, returns processing, and charges for inventory counts. A good quote lists each one in writing before work starts. Ours lists every line.

## Why is my fulfillment cost so high?

The usual causes are stock that is not selling but still paying rent, boxes larger than the product, many units per order billed per item, and minimum fees spread over too few orders. Volume matters most. Below a few hundred orders a month, a 3PL rarely beats packing in-house, and a coordinator will say so. Our warehouse suits brands shipping a few hundred to several thousand orders a month, plus wholesale accounts that move stock by the pallet.

## What does location add to a 3PL quote?

The warehouse rate is only part of the landed cost. Ours is a single 58,000 sq ft building in Valencia, ambient and dry, on the I-5 in the Santa Clarita Valley: about 40 road miles north of downtown Los Angeles and 60 to 65 from the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach. Parcel carriers pick up at our dock, and ground service reaches most of the West in 1 to 2 days. If your containers land at the ports, add the cost of trucking them to each warehouse when you compare 3PLs, so you weigh whole costs and not just the monthly pallet rate. The [3PL in Los Angeles](https://www.alvylogistics.com/3pl/los-angeles) and [3PL in California](https://www.alvylogistics.com/3pl/california) pages cover lanes and coverage, and [3PL vs renting warehouse space](https://www.alvylogistics.com/guides/3pl-vs-renting-warehouse-space) compares a 3PL with a building of your own.

## How to get an exact 3PL quote

Send your SKU count, pallets on hand, monthly orders, average units per order, a month of sample orders, how inventory arrives (containers, pallets or parcels), any packaging rules, and whether you need returns processing, lot and expiry tracking or retailer compliance (EDI, GS1-128 labels, advance ship notices). With those, a coordinator can price every line in a written quote, including pick and pack labor. To get yours, [request a quote](https://www.alvylogistics.com/request-quote) or phone the office during business hours.

## 3PL pricing questions

### How much does a 3PL cost?

At Alvy Logistics in Valencia, storage starts at $25 per pallet per month, pallet handling starts at $12 per pallet in or out, and order processing starts at $5 per order. A brand storing 50 pallets, moving 6 pallets in and out and shipping 1,000 orders a month pays $6,322 on those lines at the starting rates, before pick and pack labor, packaging and postage.

### How does 3PL pricing work?

A 3PL bills separately for storage, receiving, order fulfillment, labor and shipping. Storage is usually per pallet, per square foot or per bin each month. Receiving is per pallet, carton or container. Fulfillment is per order, sometimes with per-item fees. Projects such as kitting are billed by the hour or by the job.

### Why do 3PL quotes differ so much?

Because 3PLs bill different units (per pallet, per bin, per cubic foot, per order or per item) and put different work inside each line. Compare quotes on one sample month of your own pallets and orders, with receiving, storage, order handling, labor and postage on separate lines, and the differences become visible.

### How do you calculate fulfillment cost per order?

Add every warehouse charge for the month (storage, receiving, order processing, pick and pack labor and packaging), divide by the orders shipped, then add average postage. Counting only the order fee understates the real cost, because storage for slow-moving stock is paid whether or not orders ship.

### Do 3PLs charge for receiving?

Most do. At Alvy Logistics receiving starts at $12 per pallet, charged once when stock comes in, and the same starting rate applies per pallet when it ships out. Container unloading is quoted per container, because size, loading and SKU count vary.

### Is a 3PL worth it for a small business?

Usually not below a few hundred orders a month: at that volume, packing in-house tends to cost less, and a coordinator will tell you that on the call. A 3PL starts to pay off from a few hundred to several thousand orders a month, or when wholesale volume moves by the pallet and space or staff become the bottleneck.

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# How much does freight shipping cost?

URL: https://www.alvylogistics.com/guides/freight-shipping-costs
Type: Guide
Updated: 2026-10-08

How much freight shipping costs depends on distance, weight and size, freight class and the extras at each end. In Southern California, Alvy Logistics moves local freight by 20 to 26 ft box truck from $200 for the first 20 miles, then mileage set on your quote, with extras such as a liftgate added only when needed. LTL and truckload beyond the region are quoted per shipment.

## Freight shipping rates from Los Angeles (2026)

Local box truck rates are from the Alvy Logistics 2026 rate card. Anything leaving Southern California is priced per shipment, because lane, weight, class and timing all move the number.

| Freight | Starting at | What changes the price |
|---|---|---|
| Local freight by 20 to 26 ft box truck | $200 for the first 20 miles | Mileage after 20 miles is quoted; extras such as heavy loads, wait time, extra stops or after-hours timing are listed on the quote |
| Liftgate or pallet jack | Quoted when needed | A pickup or delivery without a loading dock; listed on your quote |
| LTL and truckload beyond Southern California | Quoted per shipment | Origin and destination, weight, dimensions, freight class, appointments and accessorials |

Starting rates. Tolls are passed through at cost, and a fuel surcharge may apply. Freight leaving Southern California moves with brokerage through Accurate Freight Systems LLC, the licensed property broker in our group. Ask for a written quote: it lists the base, the miles and every extra before you book. Rates as of 2026-10-08.

## How much does freight shipping cost?

How much freight shipping costs comes down to the same six inputs on almost any quote:

1. **A base rate** for the vehicle or the lane.
2. **Distance.** Per mile for a local truck, or by origin and destination for LTL and truckload.
3. **Weight and size.** Heavier and bulkier freight costs more. LTL rates are usually figured per hundred pounds.
4. **Freight class**, for LTL. More on that below.
5. **Accessorials.** Liftgate, pallet jack, waiting time, appointments, inside delivery and the other extras below.
6. **Fuel.** A surcharge that rises and falls with the price of diesel.

For local freight in Southern California, the Alvy Logistics 2026 card is short: a 20 to 26 ft box truck starts at $200 for the first 20 miles. After the first 20 miles, mileage can start as low as $1.20 a mile, depending on the vehicle and the route, and it is set on your written quote. Any accessorials the job needs are listed on the quote too. The truck is booked for the trip, so the price does not climb pallet by pallet, though a load over 1,000 lbs adds a weight charge.

## What is freight shipping?

Freight shipping is moving goods that are too big or too heavy for a parcel network, usually on pallets, by truck. As a general industry norm, a shipment over about 150 lbs, or anything on a pallet, moves as freight rather than parcel. From there it travels one of three ways:

- **Local box truck.** One truck, straight from pickup to delivery, for freight moving around a region. This is what Alvy Logistics runs in Southern California: 20 to 26 ft box trucks driven by vetted independent-contractor drivers. See [pallet shipping](https://www.alvylogistics.com/freight/pallet-shipping).
- **LTL (less than truckload).** Your pallets share a trailer with other shippers' freight and pass through carrier terminals. See [LTL shipping](https://www.alvylogistics.com/freight/ltl-shipping).
- **Truckload.** One shipper fills, or pays for, the whole trailer, which goes straight to the destination. See [truckload shipping](https://www.alvylogistics.com/freight/truckload).

The [LTL vs FTL guide](https://www.alvylogistics.com/guides/ltl-vs-ftl) explains where one becomes cheaper than the other.

## How do you calculate freight shipping cost? Los Angeles examples

Each example is one Alvy Logistics box truck run, laid out the way a written quote is built: the $200 base covers the first 20 miles, mileage past 20 miles is set on the quote for the actual route, and extras such as a liftgate, wait time, a weight charge or a fuel surcharge each get their own line. Miles are typical road distances from pickup to delivery.

| Shipment | Assumptions | Starting point | What the quote adds |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 pallets, local | 15 miles, 900 lbs in total, docks at both ends | $200 base, which covers the whole run | No mileage, and no liftgate with docks at both ends |
| 4 pallets of packaging, Valencia to downtown Los Angeles | 40 miles, docks at both ends | $200 base for the first 20 miles | Mileage for the other 20 miles |
| 6 pallets, Valencia to Long Beach | 63 miles, 3,000 lbs in total, no dock at delivery | $200 base for the first 20 miles | Mileage for the other 43 miles, a liftgate and pallet jack, and a weight charge |

The first run stays inside the base, so $200 is its starting price before any fuel surcharge. The other two start from the same base, and the longer the run past 20 miles, the more of the quote is mileage. The third run shows the extras most often missed. With no dock at delivery it needs a liftgate and a pallet jack, and at 3,000 lbs it is over the 1,000 lb weight threshold. Each is listed as its own line on the quote, and a Saturday run adds a weekend charge the same way.

## What are accessorial charges?

Accessorial charges are fees for anything beyond a standard dock-to-dock pickup and delivery, and the usual reason an invoice lands above the quote. These are the box truck accessorials on our 2026 card. None is charged unless the job needs it, and each one that applies is listed on your written quote before you book:

| Accessorial | What it covers |
|---|---|
| Liftgate | Lowering freight from the truck bed to the ground where there is no dock |
| Pallet jack | Rolling pallets off the truck to the drop point |
| Wait time | Time held at pickup or delivery beyond a free window |
| Additional stop | Each extra pickup or drop on the same run |
| Attempted delivery | The receiver is closed or refuses, and the freight comes back |
| Pickup and hold, or hold and deliver | Freight held between pickup and delivery |
| Second person | A helper for heavy or awkward freight |
| Weight over 1,000 lbs | Each pound above 1,000 lbs on the run |
| After hours (8pm to 8am) or weekend | Timing outside business hours |

LTL carriers set their own accessorials in their tariffs. The usual ones are residential delivery, limited-access delivery (schools, construction sites and similar addresses), inside delivery, delivery appointments or a call before delivery, detention when a truck is held at a dock past the carrier's free time, and reweigh or reclassification when the declared weight or class turns out to be wrong.

## What is liftgate delivery?

A liftgate is a powered platform on the back of the truck that lowers pallets to the ground where there is no loading dock: storefronts, offices and most job sites. On our runs it is added only when there is no dock, with a pallet jack if the pallet must be rolled inside, both listed on the quote. Not sure the receiver has a dock? Ask before you book.

## How does freight class change the price?

LTL carriers price by class. Under the [National Motor Freight Classification](https://nmfta.org/standards/classification/), every commodity sits in a class between 50 and 500, set by four traits: density, handling, stowability and liability. The denser and easier to handle the freight, the lower the class and the lower the cost per pound. Light, bulky or fragile freight sits higher. A wrong class on the bill of lading brings a reclass charge. The [freight class guide](https://www.alvylogistics.com/guides/freight-class) shows how to work out density. Local box truck freight is not priced by class: it is the base rate plus miles and any extras.

## How long does freight shipping take?

- **Local box truck freight** goes straight from pickup to delivery with no terminals in between, so in Southern California it can deliver the same day.
- **Truckload** also goes direct, so transit is set by distance and driver hours. Under [federal hours-of-service rules](https://www.law.cornell.edu/cfr/text/49/395.3), a driver hauling property gets at most 11 hours behind the wheel inside a 14-hour on-duty window, which starts after 10 straight hours off duty. As a rough planning figure, 11 hours at an average of 50 miles an hour is about 550 miles a day. Phoenix, about 370 road miles from Los Angeles, fits in one driving day. Chicago, about 2,000 road miles away, takes about four driving days for a solo driver.
- **LTL** usually takes longer than truckload on the same lane, because freight is sorted at terminals and transferred between trucks. Appointments or limited-access delivery can add time.

## Who pays for freight: FOB origin or FOB destination?

FOB terms set where ownership and risk pass from seller to buyer. Under FOB origin, they pass when the carrier picks up, so the buyer carries the risk in transit. Under FOB destination, the seller keeps them until delivery. Who pays the freight bill is a separate term (prepaid or collect), so write both on the purchase order and the bill of lading.

## How can I reduce freight costs?

- Ship dock to dock where you can. That avoids the liftgate and pallet jack charges.
- Send accurate weights and dimensions. On a local run, weight sets the over-1,000 lb charge; on LTL, a wrong figure brings reweigh and reclass charges.
- Consolidate. A box truck is priced by the trip, so six pallets on one run cost far less each than six separate runs.
- Be flexible on timing. After-hours and weekend runs cost more.

## How to get a freight quote

Send the pickup and delivery addresses, pallet count, weights and dimensions, what the freight is, whether either end has a dock, and the time windows. Inside Southern California, ALVY BROS DELIVERS INC hauls the freight on its own carrier authority (USDOT 3443448, MC-1341979). For anything going further, each LTL or truckload move gets its own price, with brokerage through Accurate Freight Systems LLC, the licensed property broker in our group (MC-572734). [Request a written freight quote](https://www.alvylogistics.com/request-quote), or phone a coordinator during business hours.

For every option from Los Angeles in one place, start at [freight shipping from Los Angeles](https://www.alvylogistics.com/freight).

## Freight shipping cost questions

### How much does freight shipping cost?

It depends on distance, weight, freight class and accessorials. For a local run in Southern California, an Alvy Logistics 20 to 26 ft box truck starts at $200 for the first 20 miles, then mileage, with extras such as a heavy-load charge or a liftgate added only when needed; the mileage and every extra are set on your written quote. LTL and truckload shipments beyond the region are quoted per shipment by lane, weight and class.

### What is freight shipping?

Freight shipping is moving goods too large or heavy for a parcel network, usually on pallets, by truck. As a general industry norm, a shipment over about 150 lbs, or anything on a pallet, travels as freight. It moves as local box truck freight, LTL (sharing a trailer) or truckload (a whole trailer).

### What are accessorial charges?

Accessorial charges are fees for anything beyond a standard dock-to-dock pickup and delivery: liftgate, pallet jack, waiting time, extra stops, inside or residential delivery, appointments and after-hours timing. At Alvy Logistics each one is added only when the job needs it and listed on your written quote before you book.

### What is liftgate delivery?

Liftgate delivery uses a powered platform on the back of the truck to lower freight to the ground at an address with no loading dock, such as a storefront, office or job site. On an Alvy Logistics run, a liftgate, and a pallet jack to roll the pallet off the platform, are added when the delivery needs them and listed on your quote.

### How long does freight shipping take?

Local box truck freight in Southern California can deliver the same day, because it goes straight from pickup to delivery. Truckload transit depends on distance and federal driver hours: a solo driver may drive up to 11 hours inside a 14-hour duty window. LTL usually takes longer than truckload on the same lane because freight passes through terminals.

### What is the cheapest way to ship freight?

Match the mode to the load: a box truck for local pallets, LTL for one to a few pallets going far, and truckload when the freight fills most of a trailer. Then cut accessorials: ship dock to dock, give accurate weights and dimensions, and avoid after-hours or weekend timing.

---

# How much does white glove delivery cost in Los Angeles?

URL: https://www.alvylogistics.com/guides/white-glove-delivery-cost
Type: Guide
Updated: 2026-10-07

White glove delivery cost in Los Angeles starts at $160 by cargo van and $325 by box truck for a local delivery with Alvy Logistics. Distance, the vehicle, crew size, stairs and long carries, assembly, timing and storage change the price, and each is listed on your written quote. These rates are for businesses delivering to their customers.

## White glove delivery starting prices (2026)

Alvy Logistics 2026 starting prices for a local white glove delivery: carry-in, placement, unpacking, light assembly and packaging removal.

| Vehicle | Best for | Local delivery from |
|---|---|---|
| Cargo van | Single pieces and small orders: a chair, a mirror, lighting, framed art | From $160 |
| 20 to 26 ft box truck | Sofas, beds, case goods, multi-piece orders, liftgate work | From $325 |

Starting prices for a local delivery. Longer distances, a second person, stairs, assembly, timing and storage are quoted for the job, and each one appears on your written quote. Rates as of 2026-10-08.

## How much is white glove delivery?

White glove delivery cost starts at $160 by cargo van and $325 by box truck for a local delivery on our 2026 rates. Those starting prices cover one delivery in the local area with the white glove work at the door included. Anything past that, such as a longer run, a second person or a Saturday window, is quoted for the job and shows on the written quote before anything is booked.

- **Cargo van** for single pieces and small orders: a chair, a mirror, lighting, a side table, framed art. From $160.
- **Box truck (20 to 26 ft)** for sofas, beds, case goods, multi-piece orders and anything that needs a liftgate. From $325.

The vehicle is the biggest lever. If a piece fits in a cargo van, sending a box truck roughly doubles the starting price for the same delivery. Send sizes and weights with the request so the smallest vehicle that fits is the one quoted.

## What does a white glove delivery fee include?

The white glove part of the price covers the work that separates white glove from a standard drop:

- **Carry-in** through the front door and up stairs or elevators.
- **Placement** in the room the customer names.
- **Unpacking and light assembly**: legs, shelves, simple fixtures.
- **Packaging removal**: cartons, foam and pallets go back on the truck.
- **A final check** of the piece once it is in position.

Assembly that takes tools and hours on site is quoted for the job. How a delivery runs from booking to sign-off is on the [white glove delivery service](https://www.alvylogistics.com/courier/white-glove-delivery) page.

## What is threshold delivery, and how does it change the price?

| Service level | Where it stops | How we price it |
|---|---|---|
| Curbside or threshold | At the curb, or just inside the first door | Quoted as a standard delivery |
| Room of choice | In the named room, still boxed | Quoted as a delivery without the unpacking and assembly |
| White glove | Placed, unpacked, lightly assembled, packaging removed | From $160 by cargo van or $325 by box truck, locally |

Booking room of choice instead of white glove takes the unpacking, assembly and packaging removal off the quote, which suits pieces the customer will unpack themselves.

## Worked examples: white glove delivery in Los Angeles

Three typical jobs, from the simplest to a staged project. Each starts from the vehicle's starting price; what the quote adds is spelled out so you can see where the rest of the price comes from.

- **One accent chair, store to a nearby customer.** Cargo van, carry-in, placement and packaging removal on a weekday. This is the starting price: from $160.
- **Sectional sofa, Valencia store to a downtown Los Angeles loft.** Box truck, from $325. The run is about 40 miles, so the quote adds the distance. A sofa that size also needs a second person for the carry, and the loft's freight elevator may need a reserved slot.
- **Designer project: three pieces on 3 pallets, held until the space is ready.** Storage and handling for the month start from $147 (3 pallets × $25, plus 6 pallet moves in and out × $12). The Saturday box truck delivery to Long Beach, about 63 miles, starts from $325. The distance and the Saturday window are quoted on top.

The third example shows the full cost of holding pieces until a space is ready, which matters to designers installing a project in stages. Storing items first is covered on the [short-term warehouse storage](https://www.alvylogistics.com/warehousing/short-term-storage) page, and longer holds on [pallet storage](https://www.alvylogistics.com/warehousing/pallet-storage).

## What adds to a white glove delivery price?

The starting price covers a local delivery with the white glove work. These are the things that change it, and each is added only when the job needs it:

- **Distance.** Longer runs cost more. The quote prices the actual route from pickup to delivery.
- **The vehicle.** A box truck starts at roughly double a cargo van, so match the vehicle to the load.
- **Crew size.** Heavy or awkward pieces, such as a sectional, a stone table or a large case good, need a second person.
- **Stairs and long carries.** Walk-ups, long hallways, a far loading dock or an elevator that has to be reserved all add time on site.
- **Assembly.** Light assembly is included. Builds that need tools and hours on site are quoted for the job.
- **Timing.** After-hours (8pm to 8am), weekend and holiday deliveries are priced higher than a weekday window.
- **Storage.** Holding pieces before delivery is from $25 per pallet per month, plus handling from $12 per pallet in or out.
- **The unexpected.** A long wait at the door, an attempted delivery when no one is there, or an added stop is quoted when it happens.

A liftgate or a pallet jack is added on box truck jobs that need one. Tolls are passed through at cost, a fuel surcharge may apply, and there is no charge to bring a driver to you, because drivers are based in each area we serve. The [Los Angeles courier cost guide](https://www.alvylogistics.com/guides/courier-cost-los-angeles) shows standard delivery pricing without the white glove service.

## What does business-grade white glove service cost?

Providers price business white glove work in three main ways, and each has a catch:

- **Per piece or by item size.** Simple for one item, expensive for a multi-piece order.
- **Per hour for crew and truck.** Fair for long installs, but traffic and long carries become your cost.
- **Per delivery by distance band or zone.** Predictable, as long as the extras are written down.

Ours is per delivery: a starting price by vehicle, with distance and any extras quoted and listed on the written quote, so it can be checked line by line. Retailers and brands with deliveries every week can ask for them to be grouped on a scheduled route; see [final mile delivery](https://www.alvylogistics.com/courier/final-mile-delivery) for how routes work.

## Is white glove delivery worth it?

For a retailer or brand, set the difference between a doorstep drop and white glove against the cost of one return, one redelivery or one bad review on a large piece. A heavy item dropped at the door, or put together badly by the customer, tends to cost far more than the white glove work. White glove earns its price on furniture, lighting, art, glass and stone, and anything a customer should not be carrying upstairs. For flat-packed goods a customer expects to assemble, room of choice is often enough.

## Who are these white glove rates for?

Businesses: retailers and showrooms, furniture and home brands, interior designers, galleries, and hospitality projects. [Retail logistics](https://www.alvylogistics.com/industries/retail-logistics) covers how stores and brands use it. The business is the customer of record and pays for the delivery. We do not handle household moves or residential relocations.

## How to get a white glove delivery quote

Send the pickup and delivery addresses, the item list with sizes and weights, whether assembly is needed, access details (stairs, elevator reservations, gate codes, parking) and the delivery window. If the building asks for a certificate of insurance before the crew can use the dock or elevator, say so when you book: certificates can be supplied to buildings on request. Every addition to the starting price is on the written quote before the delivery is booked. [Request a white glove quote](https://www.alvylogistics.com/request-quote), or call during business hours with the details.

## White glove delivery cost questions

### How much does white glove delivery cost?

With Alvy Logistics, white glove delivery starts at $160 by cargo van and $325 by box truck for a local delivery in Los Angeles. The quote then follows the job: the distance, the vehicle, whether a second person is needed, stairs or long carries, assembly and the delivery window.

### What does a white glove delivery fee include?

The white glove part of the price covers the work at the door: carrying the item in, placing it in the named room, unpacking, light assembly such as legs or shelves, and hauling the packaging away. Assembly that needs tools and hours on site is quoted for the job.

### Do weekend or evening deliveries cost more?

They can. After-hours and weekend timing is priced for the job and listed on your written quote before you book, so the extra is known in advance. The starting prices assume a weekday delivery inside normal hours.

### What is threshold delivery?

Threshold delivery stops just inside the first door, with the item still in its carton. Room of choice carries it on to a named room, still boxed. White glove goes further: unpacked, lightly assembled, placed and the packaging removed. That last step is the white glove work, and it is why white glove costs more than a standard delivery.

### What does white glove furniture delivery cost by box truck?

A box truck white glove delivery with Alvy Logistics starts at $325 for a local delivery in Los Angeles. Longer distances, a second person for heavy pieces, stairs, assembly and weekend or after-hours timing add to it, and each is listed on your written quote before the delivery is booked.

### What does white glove delivery cost outside Los Angeles?

Deliveries further out are quoted by distance, vehicle and setup. The starting prices cover a local delivery, and longer runs, including Orange County, are priced on your written quote before you book.

### Can a homeowner book white glove delivery directly?

No. This service is booked and paid for by a business, such as a retailer, brand, designer, gallery or showroom, delivering to its customer or project. We do not handle household moves or residential relocations.

---

# How much does an on-board courier cost?

URL: https://www.alvylogistics.com/guides/on-board-courier-cost
Type: Guide
Updated: 2026-10-08

On-board courier cost at Alvy Logistics starts at a $143 dispatch fee plus $43 an hour with a 4-hour minimum, so from $315 before travel. Airfare, lodging and ground transport are billed at cost. Timing, overnights, waiting and extra couriers are quoted for the trip and listed on your written quote. Trips start from LAX, SAN and SFO.

## On-board courier starting rates (2026)

Alvy Logistics 2026 starting rates for an on-board courier. Travel is passed through at cost.

| Charge | Starting rate | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Dispatch fee | From $143 per trip | Charged once, plus courier time |
| Courier time | From $43 an hour, 4-hour minimum | With the dispatch fee, from $315 before travel |
| Travel | At cost | Airfare, lodging and ground transport, passed through at what they cost |

Starting rates. Timing, overnight trips, waiting, extra couriers and paperwork are quoted for the trip and listed on your written quote before the courier is dispatched. Rates as of 2026-10-08.

## What makes up an on-board courier price?

On-board courier cost is built from the same three parts on every trip. An on-board courier (OBC) is a person who travels on a commercial flight with your shipment and keeps it in their custody from pickup to handoff, so you pay for their time, their travel and their days away:

1. **Courier time.** At Alvy Logistics, from a $143 dispatch fee plus $43 an hour, with a 4-hour minimum. The smallest possible charge is $315 before travel ($143 plus 4 hours at $43).
2. **Travel, at cost.** Airfare, lodging and ground transport at the destination are passed through at what they cost, with no markup.
3. **Extras the trip needs.** Timing, overnights, waiting and extra couriers are quoted for the trip and listed on your written quote.

So the starting formula is: $143 + ($43 × hours, minimum 4) + travel at cost, before any extras. Trips start from LAX, SAN and SFO. The [on-board courier service](https://www.alvylogistics.com/courier/on-board-courier) page covers how a trip is set up.

## Worked example: same-day hand carry from LAX to Seattle

Assumptions: a weekday trip booked with normal notice and 10 billable courier hours in total. The 10 hours are an assumption for illustration; your quote sets the hours from the actual pickup, flights and delivery address.

| Line | Math | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Dispatch fee | | $143 |
| Courier time | 10 hours at $43 | $430 |
| **Total before travel and any extras** | | **$573** |
| Airfare and ground transport in Seattle | | At cost |

That $573 is the courier side of the trip. The airfare is usually the other big number, and it depends on how close to departure the seat is bought. A booking with very short notice, a weekend trip or a long wait at either end would change the quote, and the coordinator prices each of those before you confirm.

## Worked example: cross-country trip with an overnight

Assumptions: LAX to the New York area on a weekday, an assumed 16 billable courier hours across two days and one hotel night.

| Line | Math | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Dispatch fee | | $143 |
| Courier time | 16 hours at $43 | $688 |
| **Total before travel and any extras** | | **$831** |
| Airfare, lodging and ground transport | | At cost |

An overnight changes more than the hotel bill: the courier is away for a second day, and the quote covers that time and the costs of being away. If the shipment needs two couriers, the second courier's time and travel are quoted on the same trip.

## What changes an on-board courier quote?

The starting rates cover the courier's time. These are the things that move the rest of the price:

- **Door-to-door hours.** The drive to the airport, the flight, any connection and the ground leg at the destination all count as courier time.
- **The airfare.** Last-minute fares can be the largest single line in an OBC quote, and they are passed through at cost.
- **Size and weight.** Oversized or extra pieces can add airline baggage fees to the travel line.
- **Overnights.** A trip that cannot turn around the same day adds lodging and another day away.
- **Timing.** Short-notice dispatch, after-hours, weekend and federal holiday trips are priced higher than a weekday booking made with normal notice.
- **Waiting.** A long wait at pickup or delivery, beyond the time included in the trip, is added when it happens.
- **Changes mid-trip.** A new delivery address after the courier has left is quoted at the time.
- **More than one courier.** Large or split shipments sometimes need two people.

Each of these is listed on your written quote before the courier is dispatched, so the total is known up front apart from travel billed at cost.

## What happens if you cancel an on-board courier trip?

The cancellation terms are on your written quote, and they depend on how far the trip has gone when you cancel: before the courier is dispatched, on the way to the airport, or after the ticket is bought. Ask the coordinator to walk through them before you confirm. Before you book, check that the piece is packed and its paperwork is ready, so a trip is not paid for and then called off.

## On-board courier vs next flight out vs a dedicated drive

| Option | How it works | What you pay for | When it fits |
|---|---|---|---|
| On-board courier | A courier flies with the shipment and hands it over | Courier time plus travel at cost | Critical parts, documents and samples that must stay with a person |
| Next flight out | The shipment flies as air cargo and is recovered at the destination airport | Air cargo charges plus pickup and recovery | Urgent freight that does not need a person on board |
| Dedicated drive | A driver goes straight from pickup to delivery | The courier base rate plus mileage | Destinations inside the region, where a flight saves no time |

For next flight out, we coordinate air freight through TSA-approved indirect air carriers. For deliveries inside Southern California, a [same-day courier](https://www.alvylogistics.com/courier/same-day) is usually faster and cheaper than any flight, and the [Los Angeles courier cost guide](https://www.alvylogistics.com/guides/courier-cost-los-angeles) shows those rates. Time-critical freight too large to hand carry may fit [expedited freight](https://www.alvylogistics.com/freight/expedited) better.

## Who uses an on-board courier?

Teams that lose money by the hour: a manufacturer with a line stopped for want of a part, a medical device team supporting a scheduled case, a production company moving drives or equipment, and legal or finance teams with originals that have to be in a room by a set time. For specimen and medical work on the ground, see [medical courier](https://www.alvylogistics.com/courier/medical).

## How to get an OBC quote fast

Send the pickup address and ready time, the delivery address and deadline, the number of pieces with sizes and weights, what the shipment is, and whether you need chain-of-custody documentation. A coordinator prices the courier time and checks flights from LAX, SAN or SFO. Phones at (661) 344-8766 are answered Monday to Friday, 8am to 8pm Pacific; outside those hours, [request a quote](https://www.alvylogistics.com/request-quote) online.

## On-board courier cost questions

### How much does an on-board courier cost?

Courier charges start at a $143 dispatch fee and $43 an hour with a 4-hour minimum, so from $315 before travel. Airfare, lodging and ground transport are added at cost. A same-day LAX to Seattle hand carry at an assumed 10 courier hours is $573 for dispatch and time, before travel and any extras.

### Is airfare included in the on-board courier price?

No. The starting price covers the courier: a $143 dispatch fee plus $43 an hour with a 4-hour minimum, so from $315 before travel. Airfare, lodging and ground transport are added at cost and listed on your written quote.

### Why does an on-board courier cost more than air freight?

Because you pay for a person, not cargo space: the courier's hours from dispatch to handoff, a passenger ticket and the trip back. In return the shipment stays in one person's hands on the next suitable flight instead of waiting in a cargo terminal.

### How is a cross-country on-board courier trip priced?

The same way as a short one: the dispatch fee, the courier's hours at the hourly rate, and travel at cost. A longer trip adds hours and may add a hotel night, which is billed at cost and shown on the quote before the courier leaves.

### Can I get an on-board courier quote before booking?

Yes. Send the pickup and delivery addresses, what is traveling, its size and weight, and the deadline, and a coordinator prices the trip with the flights it would use. Phones are answered Monday to Friday, 8am to 8pm Pacific.

### What happens if I cancel an on-board courier?

The cancellation terms are set out on your written quote before you confirm the trip. What you pay depends on how far the trip has gone when you cancel, for example whether the courier has been dispatched or the ticket has been bought. Ask the coordinator to walk through them before you book.

---

# Freight broker vs carrier vs 3PL: who does what?

URL: https://www.alvylogistics.com/guides/carrier-vs-broker-vs-3pl
Type: Guide
Updated: 2026-10-07

Freight broker vs carrier is about who moves the load. A motor carrier hauls your freight under its own FMCSA authority and, on interstate moves, is liable for loss or damage in transit under 49 U.S.C. 14706. A freight broker holds broker authority and hires an authorized carrier, without taking possession. A 3PL is a business model, not a license, and needs FMCSA authority to haul or arrange trucking.

## Freight broker vs carrier: what is the difference?

The short answer to freight broker vs carrier: the carrier moves your freight, and the broker arranges for a carrier to move it. Under [49 CFR 371.2](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-49/section-371.2), a broker is "a person who, for compensation, arranges, or offers to arrange, the transportation of property by an authorized motor carrier." The same definition says motor carriers are not brokers when they arrange shipments "which they are authorized to transport and which they have accepted and legally bound themselves to transport."

In practice:

- **A motor carrier** holds its own operating authority from FMCSA, puts the freight on a truck it controls and issues the bill of lading. On interstate shipments, [49 U.S.C. 14706](https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/49/14706) (the Carmack Amendment) makes the carrier liable for the actual loss or injury to the property, subject to any value limit the shipper declared or agreed to in writing.
- **A freight broker** holds broker authority, accepts your shipment and hires an authorized carrier to haul it. FMCSA describes a property broker as one that ["does not assume responsibility for the property and never takes possession of it"](https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/registration/types-operating-authority). Every broker must keep $75,000 of financial security on file, a BMC-84 bond or BMC-85 trust ([49 U.S.C. 13906(b)](https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/49/13906)). The statute makes it available for claims that the broker failed to pay freight charges.

## Freight broker vs carrier vs 3PL at a glance

| | Motor carrier | Freight broker | Freight forwarder (domestic) | 3PL |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FMCSA authority | Motor carrier (MC number) | Broker (MC number) | Freight forwarder (FF number) | None as a 3PL; needs its own authority to haul or arrange interstate trucking |
| Moves the freight itself | Yes | No, unless also registered as a carrier | Only if also registered as a carrier | Depends on its authority |
| Takes possession | Yes | No | Yes | Yes, while goods sit in its warehouse |
| Liable for loss or damage in transit | Yes, on interstate moves, under 49 U.S.C. 14706 | Not as a carrier; the carrier it hires is | Yes, as both receiving and delivering carrier | Set by its contract and its authority |
| Who you contract with | The carrier, on its bill of lading | The broker, which contracts the carrier separately | The forwarder, on its own bill of lading | The 3PL, under a services or warehouse agreement |

## What is a freight broker, and why use one?

A freight broker is a licensed intermediary. You give it the load; it finds an authorized carrier and manages the shipment until delivery. Shippers use brokers for lanes their usual carriers do not run, for extra capacity in busy weeks, and for one contact across many carriers.

Two rules protect you. A broker must operate and advertise only in the name its registration is issued in, and it may not present itself as a carrier: "Any advertising shall show the broker status of the operation" ([49 CFR 371.7](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-49/section-371.7)). If a company sells you trucking but SAFER shows it as a broker, it is arranging your freight, not hauling it. Ask which carrier will, and read the broker agreement.

## Freight broker vs freight forwarder

"Freight forwarder" means two different things. Under [49 U.S.C. 13102(8)](https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/49/13102), a domestic freight forwarder assembles and consolidates shipments, "assumes responsibility for the transportation from the place of receipt to the place of destination," and uses carriers for the transportation. Section 14706 makes it liable as both receiving and delivering carrier, unlike a broker.

Many people searching freight broker vs freight forwarder mean an international forwarder that books ocean or air freight and handles export paperwork. Ocean freight forwarders are licensed by the [Federal Maritime Commission](https://www.fmc.gov/licensing-and-certification/apply-for-a-license-or-request-a-foreign-registration/), not FMCSA. On SAFER, neither company in our group shows freight forwarder authority.

## Freight broker vs 3PL: is a 3PL a broker?

A 3PL (third-party logistics provider) runs part of your supply chain for you: receiving, storage, pick and pack, kitting and the shipping around it. "3PL" is not an FMCSA authority type. FMCSA issues motor carrier, broker and freight forwarder authority, so a 3PL's freight work runs under one of those. Some 3PLs hold broker authority, some hold carrier authority, some hold both. When people say "3PL brokerage," they usually mean a 3PL's freight desk working under broker authority.

For any 3PL vs freight broker decision, ask two questions: whose name goes on the bill of lading, and what does SAFER show for that name?

## Asset-based vs non-asset: does a carrier need to own trucks?

Asset-based means the company runs its own tractors and trailers. Non-asset covers two different businesses: brokers, which never haul, and carriers that haul with owner-operators or contractor drivers who bring their own vehicles. The second kind is still the carrier on your shipment. What makes a company the carrier is its authority and its acceptance of legal responsibility for the load (the 371.2 test above), not who holds the vehicle title.

Our own carrier is a non-asset example. ALVY BROS DELIVERS INC holds the carrier authority, and its vetted independent-contractor drivers supply the cars, cargo vans and 20 to 26 ft box trucks.

## Courier vs carrier: what is the difference?

"Carrier" is a legal role and "courier" is a type of service. Federal law defines a motor carrier as "a person providing motor vehicle transportation for compensation" ([49 U.S.C. 13102(14)](https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/49/13102)), so a courier delivering for pay is a carrier in that sense. In business delivery, "courier" usually means small, time-sensitive loads carried by one driver from pickup to delivery, with no sorting hub in between. On our rate card, a [same-day courier](https://www.alvylogistics.com/courier/same-day) run by car starts at $45, and that base covers 20 miles.

## How our group is set up: a worked example

| Role | Company | FMCSA record (SAFER, data as of 10/02/2026) | What it does for you |
|---|---|---|---|
| Carrier | ALVY BROS DELIVERS INC, trading as Alvy Logistics | USDOT 3443448, MC-1341979, authorized for Motor Carrier of Property (Except Household Goods) | Courier runs and local and regional freight, hauled by its contractor drivers |
| Broker | Accurate Freight Systems LLC | USDOT 2237130, MC-572734, authorized for Broker of Property (Except Household Goods) | Arranges LTL and truckload lanes beyond our own routes with other authorized carriers |
| 3PL | The Valencia warehouse | No FMCSA authority needed for storage | 58,000 sq ft, ambient and dry: storage, pick and pack, kitting, returns, cross-docking |

A local pallet run or a box truck load is hauled by ALVY BROS DELIVERS INC as the carrier. A truckload to Phoenix moves under [freight brokerage](https://www.alvylogistics.com/freight/brokerage) through Accurate Freight Systems LLC, the licensed property broker in our group, which books an authorized carrier for it. Freight that needs to stop first goes into the warehouse, which is the [3PL](https://www.alvylogistics.com/3pl) side. Before you book, ask which of the two companies is responsible for each leg.

## How to check any company on FMCSA SAFER

1. Open the [FMCSA SAFER Company Snapshot](https://safer.fmcsa.dot.gov/CompanySnapshot.aspx) and search by USDOT number, MC number or company name.
2. Read **Entity Type**: CARRIER, BROKER or both.
3. Check that **USDOT Status** is ACTIVE and that **Operating Authority Status** says "AUTHORIZED FOR" the role you are hiring them for. "NOT AUTHORIZED" means no active interstate authority of that kind.
4. Note the docket under **MC/MX/FF Number(s)**, and match the **legal name** to the name on your quote and contract.
5. Use the Licensing and Insurance link on the snapshot to see the filings on record, including a broker's financial security.

Try it with our two numbers: USDOT 3443448 and USDOT 2237130. Accurate Freight Systems LLC has the federally required $75,000 broker security on file.

## Which one should you hire?

- **A carrier** for freight it runs itself: local and regional pallets, box truck loads, courier work. Fewer hand-offs, one company responsible.
- **A broker** for lanes outside a carrier's area or many lanes at once, licensed in its own name.
- **A 3PL** when the freight is one part of storage and fulfillment, after checking which authority its freight desk uses.

For long-haul freight, the [LTL shipping](https://www.alvylogistics.com/freight/ltl-shipping) page and the [LTL vs FTL guide](https://www.alvylogistics.com/guides/ltl-vs-ftl) explain the options. To find out which of our companies would handle your load, [request a written quote](https://www.alvylogistics.com/request-quote).

## Carrier, broker and 3PL questions

### What is the difference between a carrier and a broker?

A carrier moves the freight and issues the bill of lading. On interstate shipments, the Carmack Amendment (49 U.S.C. 14706) makes it liable for actual loss or damage, within any value limit the shipper declared or agreed to in writing. A broker arranges the move for a fee and hires an authorized carrier to haul it. FMCSA says a broker never takes possession of the freight.

### Can a freight broker also be a carrier?

Yes, if it holds both registrations. 49 U.S.C. 13904(d) lets a broker haul freight only if it has registered separately as a motor carrier. Some companies hold both authorities under one name; others split the roles between sister companies, which is how our group is set up.

### Is a 3PL a broker?

Not automatically. 3PL describes a business model: warehousing, fulfillment and transportation management. FMCSA does not issue a 3PL license. A 3PL that arranges interstate trucking for pay needs broker (or freight forwarder) authority, and one that hauls freight for hire needs carrier authority. Check SAFER for the authority behind the name.

### What is the difference between a freight forwarder and a broker?

A domestic freight forwarder consolidates shipments, issues its own bill of lading and takes responsibility for the freight from receipt to destination, so federal law treats it as the receiving and delivering carrier. A broker only arranges the move. International ocean forwarders are licensed separately, by the Federal Maritime Commission.

### What is an asset-based carrier?

An asset-based carrier operates its own tractors and trailers. A non-asset provider does not: it arranges capacity as a broker, or it operates as a carrier using owner-operators or contractor drivers who supply the vehicles. Owning trucks is not what makes a company the carrier; its operating authority and its legal responsibility for the load are.

### Is Alvy Logistics a carrier or a broker?

Alvy Logistics is the carrier: ALVY BROS DELIVERS INC, USDOT 3443448, MC-1341979. Brokerage is offered through Accurate Freight Systems LLC, the licensed property broker in our group, MC-572734. They are separate companies with separate FMCSA authority, so ask which one will handle your shipment before you book.

---

# LTL vs FTL: which one fits your load?

URL: https://www.alvylogistics.com/guides/ltl-vs-ftl
Type: Guide
Updated: 2026-10-08

LTL vs FTL comes down to how much of the trailer you need. LTL (less than truckload) puts your pallets on a shared trailer that moves through terminals, priced by freight class, weight and lane. FTL (full truckload) gives you the whole trailer, straight from pickup to delivery. One to six pallets is typical LTL; a 53 ft dry van floor-loads about 26 standard pallets.

## What is LTL freight?

The LTL vs FTL decision starts with one question: how much of a trailer does your freight need? LTL means less than truckload. Your pallets share a trailer with freight from other shippers, and you pay for your share.

What is LTL shipping in practice? The LTL carrier picks up your pallets, takes them to a local terminal, consolidates them onto a linehaul trailer with other freight, and moves them to a terminal near the destination, where they go onto a delivery truck. Your freight may be handled at more than one terminal on the way. The rate is built from four things: the **freight class** of what you ship, the **weight**, the **lane** (origin and destination), and **accessorials** such as a liftgate, a delivery appointment or a limited-access address.

[NMFTA](https://nmfta.org/resource/ltl-vs-full-truckload-shipping-whats-the-difference/), which maintains the National Motor Freight Classification, says "shipments of one to six pallets are considered LTL," and that larger shipments are good candidates for volume LTL if the carrier offers it.

## What is FTL (full truckload)?

FTL means full truckload: you hire the whole trailer. NMFTA notes that "most commonly, FTL freight means a load that can fill a 53-foot dry van trailer." The truck goes straight from your dock to the destination. The freight is loaded once and unloaded once, with no terminal transfers and no other shippers' pallets around it.

Truckload is normally priced for the truck on the lane, plus accessorials such as detention and extra stops, rather than by freight class. You pay for the trailer whether you fill it or not.

## What is the difference between LTL and FTL?

| | LTL | Partial truckload | FTL |
|---|---|---|---|
| Typical size | 1 to 6 pallets | More than standard LTL, less than a full trailer | Up to about 26 floor-loaded pallets in a 53 ft van |
| Shares the trailer | Yes, with many shippers | Yes, with one or a few | No |
| Handling | Cross-docked at terminals, often more than once | Usually stays on one truck | Loaded once, unloaded once |
| Transit | Slowest: pickup, terminal, linehaul, terminal, delivery | Usually faster than LTL | Fastest: direct |
| Price set by | Freight class, weight, lane, accessorials | Trailer space and weight used, lane | The truck for the lane, plus accessorials |
| Best for | Small, sturdy palletized freight | Mid-size or fragile loads | Large, heavy, fragile or time-critical loads |

## Pallet count: where LTL ends and FTL begins

Floor-loaded and single-stacked, a 53 ft dry van holds about **26 standard pallets**. The arithmetic: a standard pallet is 48 x 40 in. Two across take 80 in of the trailer's width, and 13 rows at 48 in deep take 624 in, which is 52 ft.

Two variations change the count:

- **Turned pallets.** With the 40 in side running lengthwise, 15 rows take 600 in, so up to 30 pallets fit if the trailer's inside width is at least 96 in (two 48 in sides).
- **Stacked pallets.** Freight that can bear weight and fits under the roof can be double-stacked, up to twice the floor count.

Weight is the other limit. [23 CFR 658.17](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-23/section-658.17) sets the maximum gross vehicle weight on the Interstate System at 80,000 lbs, or less where the bridge formula dictates. The tractor, the trailer and the fuel all count toward that total, so the cargo limit is well below 80,000 lbs. Dense freight such as stone slabs, steel, bottled drinks or bagged cement often reaches the weight limit long before it fills the floor.

For loading patterns and weights on a full trailer, see [full truckload shipping](https://www.alvylogistics.com/freight/truckload).

## Where partial truckload fits between LTL and FTL

Partial truckload is the middle option. You book part of a trailer, and the load normally rides on that truck all the way, sharing it with one or a few other shipments instead of passing through terminals. Pricing usually follows the space and weight you take, not freight class. It suits shipments past standard LTL size, or fragile freight you want touched less, when a whole trailer would go half empty.

Volume LTL is a related option: an LTL carrier quotes a larger shipment specially, but the freight usually still moves through its terminal network.

Quotes and lanes are on our [partial truckload shipping](https://www.alvylogistics.com/freight/truckload) page.

## When does LTL win, and when does FTL win?

| Your shipment | Usually the better fit | Why |
|---|---|---|
| 1 to 6 sturdy pallets, standard timing | LTL | You pay only for your share of the trailer |
| More than 6 pallets, or over 12 linear feet | Compare volume LTL, partial and FTL quotes | NMFTA's volume LTL range; it says a truckload carrier would expect LTL under 12 linear feet |
| Fragile, high-value or easily damaged | Partial truckload or FTL | Fewer terminal transfers, fewer touches |
| Heavy or dense, fills most of the floor | FTL | You are near the trailer's limits anyway |
| Time-critical | FTL or [expedited freight](https://www.alvylogistics.com/freight/expedited) | Direct from pickup to delivery |
| Staying inside Southern California | Box truck | Direct, no terminals |

Six standard pallets loaded two across take three rows of 48 in, which is 12 linear feet. That is why both rules of thumb land in the same place.

## What about freight inside Southern California?

For a local or regional move, neither LTL nor a 53 ft trailer is always the right tool. A 20 to 26 ft box truck runs direct, with no terminal in the middle, and it reaches docks and street addresses a tractor-trailer cannot. On our 2026 rate card, a box truck starts at $200 for the first 20 miles. After the first 20 miles, mileage can start as low as $1.20 a mile, depending on the vehicle and the route, and it is set on your written quote. Valencia to downtown Los Angeles is about 40 miles by road, so that run is the $200 base plus mileage for the other 20 miles, before extras. A liftgate, a pallet jack or a charge for weight over 1,000 lbs is added only when the job needs it, and listed on your quote. See [pallet shipping](https://www.alvylogistics.com/freight/pallet-shipping) for how single pallets move around the region.

All of it is laid out on our [freight shipping from Los Angeles](https://www.alvylogistics.com/freight) page.

## How freight class changes an LTL rate

LTL carriers price by freight class, one of 18 NMFC classes running from 50 for the densest freight to 500. Denser freight that is easy to handle gets a lower class and a lower rate. Since July 19, 2025, many items are classed purely by density, so measuring your pallets accurately matters more than it did. The [freight class guide](https://www.alvylogistics.com/guides/freight-class) shows the current density chart and a worked calculation.

## What to send for an LTL or truckload quote

- Both addresses, noting any end that has no loading dock or is not a business
- How many pallets, and each one's length, width, height and weight
- What the freight is, plus its NMFC item number or class if you have it
- Whether the pallets can be stacked
- Liftgate, appointment or inside delivery needs at either end
- The date the freight is ready

LTL and truckload are quoted per shipment. See [LTL shipping](https://www.alvylogistics.com/freight/ltl-shipping) and [truckload shipping](https://www.alvylogistics.com/freight/truckload) for how each works with us, or [request a written quote](https://www.alvylogistics.com/request-quote) with the details above.

## LTL vs FTL questions

### What is an LTL shipment?

An LTL shipment takes up only part of a trailer, typically one to six pallets. The carrier picks it up, consolidates it at a terminal with other shippers' freight, moves it on a linehaul trailer and delivers it from a terminal near the destination. You pay for your share, based on freight class, weight and lane.

### Is FTL faster than LTL?

Usually, yes. A full truckload goes straight from pickup to delivery with no terminal transfers, while LTL freight crosses at least one terminal dock and shares the trailer with other stops. On a short lane the difference can be small; on a long lane with several terminals it grows.

### Can freight inside Southern California skip LTL altogether?

Often, yes. Inside the region a single 20 to 26 ft box truck can take one pallet or several straight from pickup to delivery with no terminal, from $200 for the first 20 miles with Alvy Logistics, then mileage set on your quote. LTL and truckload matter more once freight leaves Southern California.

### Is LTL or FTL more expensive?

For a small load, LTL costs less because you pay only for your share of the trailer. Per pallet, a full truckload usually costs less once the load fills most of a trailer. Where the crossover sits depends on the lane, freight class and weight, so get both quotes once a shipment goes past six pallets.

### When should I switch from LTL to a truckload quote?

Ask for a truckload or partial truckload quote once a shipment passes about six pallets or 15,000 lbs, or when the freight is fragile enough that terminal handling is a risk. Below that, LTL is usually the cheaper way to move one to six pallets.

### What size shipment qualifies as LTL?

NMFTA puts shipments of one to six pallets in the LTL range and calls anything larger a candidate for volume LTL, where the carrier offers it. It also notes that a truckload carrier would typically expect an LTL shipment to be under 12 linear feet, which is about six standard pallets loaded two across.

---

# Freight class: the NMFC density chart and how to find yours

URL: https://www.alvylogistics.com/guides/freight-class
Type: Guide
Updated: 2026-10-04

Freight class is the rating, from 50 to 500, in the National Motor Freight Classification (NMFC) that LTL carriers use to price a shipment. It reflects density, handling, stowability and liability. On July 19, 2025, NMFTA moved many items to a 13-step density scale: freight under 1 lb per cubic foot is class 400, and freight at 50 lbs per cubic foot and above is class 50.

## What is freight class?

Freight class is the rating an LTL carrier uses to price your shipment. The rating is set in the National Motor Freight Classification (NMFC), which the National Motor Freight Traffic Association (NMFTA) maintains. [NMFTA explains](https://nmfta.org/standards/classification/) that each commodity is assigned one of 18 classes, from 50 to 500, using four transportation characteristics:

- **Density:** "How heavy the freight is relative to the space it takes up."
- **Handling:** "How easy it is to move across a dock and into or out of a trailer."
- **Stowability:** "How effectively it can be stowed in a trailer for transport."
- **Liability:** "How likely the freight is to cause damage or be damaged."

NMFTA sums it up: the denser and easier to move, the lower the class and the lower the cost. Class matters most for LTL. Truckload is usually priced for the whole trailer, as the [LTL vs FTL guide](https://www.alvylogistics.com/guides/ltl-vs-ftl) explains.

## Freight class chart (NMFC 13-step density scale)

This is the standard density scale NMFTA published for the 2025 NMFC changes. Density is in pounds per cubic foot (pcf).

| Sub | Density (lbs per cubic foot) | Freight class |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Less than 1 | 400 |
| 2 | 1 but less than 2 | 300 |
| 3 | 2 but less than 4 | 250 |
| 4 | 4 but less than 6 | 175 |
| 5 | 6 but less than 8 | 125 |
| 6 | 8 but less than 10 | 100 |
| 7 | 10 but less than 12 | 92.5 |
| 8 | 12 but less than 15 | 85 |
| 9 | 15 but less than 22.5 | 70 |
| 10 | 22.5 but less than 30 | 65 |
| 11 | 30 but less than 35 | 60 |
| 12 | 35 but less than 50 | 55 |
| 13 | 50 or greater | 50 |

Source: [NMFTA, "Decoding Density"](https://nmfta.org/news/decoding-density-the-freight-factor-you-cant-afford-to-overlook/) (June 2025) and NMFTA's 2025 NMFC changes FAQ.

The chart applies to NMFC items that reference the standard density scale. Items with known handling, stowability or liability concerns keep their own classes or their own density breaks. Of the 18 classes, the other five (77.5, 110, 150, 200 and 500) are not on this scale and come only from item-specific classes or density breaks.

## What changed in the 2025 NMFC update?

NMFC Docket 2025-1 [went into effect on July 19, 2025](https://nmfta.org/news/nmfta-implements-historic-nmfc-changes-launches-classit-to-support-industry-in-adapting-to-new-classification-standards/), in what NMFTA called one of the most significant updates in the NMFC's history. Three changes matter to shippers:

1. **Density first.** Many items that used to carry a fixed class by commodity are now classed by the density of the shipment as tendered.
2. **A longer scale.** The standard density scale grew from 11 steps to 13. Step 11 now covers 30 to just under 35 pcf at class 60, and two new steps put 35 to just under 50 pcf at class 55 and 50 pcf or more at class 50.
3. **Fewer items.** Item descriptions with no known handling, stowability or liability concerns were canceled and folded into density-based items under their generic headings.

NMFTA has kept canceling and consolidating items in later dockets, so look up the current item for your product rather than relying on an old bill of lading. The practical effect: the same product can now rate differently depending on how it is packed.

## How do you calculate freight density?

NMFTA's method is to multiply "the greatest straight-line dimensions of length, width, and height (depth) in inches, including all projections, if any, as tendered to the carrier for shipment," then divide by 1,728 cubic inches, which is one cubic foot. Density is the weight of the handling unit as tendered divided by those cubic feet.

1. Measure the handling unit at its longest points, in inches, with the pallet and any overhang included.
2. Multiply length x width x height and divide by 1,728 to get cubic feet.
3. Divide the total weight, pallet included, by the cubic feet. That is your freight density in pcf.
4. Find that density on the chart above.

For a shipment of several pallets, the NMFC rule NMFTA quotes in its FAQ (Item 110, Sec. 8(d)) is that density is calculated on each handling unit, unless the shipping papers show only a total weight, in which case the total weight and total cube may be used.

## Freight class calculator: worked examples

Each example is a standard 48 x 40 in pallet. That footprint is 13.33 square feet, so every foot of height adds 13.33 cubic feet.

| Pallet (L x W x H) | Weight | Cubic feet | Density | Class |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 48 x 40 x 45 in | 450 lbs | 50.0 | 9.0 pcf | 100 |
| 48 x 40 x 50 in | 700 lbs | 55.6 | 12.6 pcf | 85 |
| 48 x 40 x 72 in | 300 lbs | 80.0 | 3.75 pcf | 250 |
| 48 x 40 x 36 in | 1,500 lbs | 40.0 | 37.5 pcf | 55 |

The first row is NMFTA's own example: 48 x 40 x 45 in is 86,400 cubic inches, divided by 1,728 is 50 cubic feet, and 450 lbs divided by 50 is 9.00 pcf. These classes apply only if your item uses the standard density scale.

## How do you determine freight class for your product?

1. **Find the NMFC item** that describes your product. NMFTA's own ClassIT+ tool finds item numbers and calculates density, and your carrier or supplier may already know the item number.
2. **Read the item.** If it references the 13-step density scale, calculate density and use the chart.
3. **If it does not,** use the class or density breaks the item itself assigns.
4. **Put the NMFC item number and class on the bill of lading,** with accurate dimensions and weight for each handling unit.

## What happens if the freight class is wrong?

LTL carriers check what they haul. If the dimensions, weight or item on your bill of lading do not match the freight, the carrier can reclassify the shipment and bill it at the corrected class. NMFTA's advice is that shippers who capture accurate handling unit dimensions and weight reduce classification changes. Measure in inches, weigh on an accurate scale, and record each pallet separately.

## How can you lower your freight class?

- **Build square, tight pallets.** Overhang and loose cartons count, because the measurement includes all projections.
- **Cut empty height.** The same weight on a shorter pallet is denser, which can move it down a class.
- **Use the right pallet.** An oversized pallet adds cube without adding product.
- **Check the item, not habit.** A class that was right before July 2025 may not be right now.

## Freight class and your shipping quote

Freight class is one input to an LTL rate, along with weight, lane and accessorials. The [freight shipping costs guide](https://www.alvylogistics.com/guides/freight-shipping-costs) covers the rest. For how we handle [LTL shipping](https://www.alvylogistics.com/freight/ltl-shipping) and single [pallet shipping](https://www.alvylogistics.com/freight/pallet-shipping), see those pages, or [request a quote](https://www.alvylogistics.com/request-quote) with the dimensions and weight of each pallet.

## Freight class questions

### How do you calculate freight class?

Measure the handling unit at its longest points, pallet included, in inches. Multiply length by width by height and divide by 1,728 to get cubic feet. Divide the weight in pounds by the cubic feet to get density. If your NMFC item uses the standard density scale, the chart gives the class: 9 lbs per cubic foot is class 100.

### Does a pallet have its own freight class?

No. The class belongs to what is on the pallet. For items on the 13-step density scale, it comes from the loaded pallet's density, pallet included: a 48 x 40 x 60 in pallet weighing 900 lbs is 66.7 cubic feet and 13.5 lbs per cubic foot, which is class 85.

### What is freight class 70?

On the 13-step density scale, class 70 covers freight from 15 to just under 22.5 lbs per cubic foot. Some items are assigned class 70 for handling, stowability or liability reasons instead, so check the NMFC item for your product.

### What is freight class 50?

Class 50 is the lowest freight class. On the standard density scale it applies to freight at 50 lbs per cubic foot or more. It was added to the scale in NMFC Docket 2025-1, together with class 55 for freight from 35 to just under 50 lbs per cubic foot.

### What is freight class 125?

On the 13-step density scale, class 125 covers freight from 6 to just under 8 lbs per cubic foot. That is light, bulky freight, such as a tall pallet of cartons that holds more air than product. Making the pallet denser can move it down to class 100.

### Is the NMFC mandatory?

No. NMFTA describes the NMFC as a voluntary standard: carriers and shippers are neither constrained nor compelled to use it. LTL carriers widely use it to set rates, though, and some shippers negotiate a freight all kinds (FAK) class with a carrier, which the NMFC itself does not address.

---

# 3PL vs your own warehouse in Los Angeles: what each really costs

URL: https://www.alvylogistics.com/guides/3pl-vs-renting-warehouse-space
Type: Guide
Updated: 2026-10-07

In the 3PL vs own warehouse decision, your own warehouse usually wins only when you can keep it full and busy for years. Kidder Mathews put the average direct asking rent for Los Angeles industrial space at $1.36 per square foot a month NNN in Q3 2026, before racking, forklifts, staff and software. A 3PL makes storage a variable cost: at Alvy Logistics, from $25 per pallet per month.

## What a 3PL charges instead of a lease (2026)

The Alvy Logistics 2026 warehouse rate card, for comparing with the cost of running your own building.

| Line item | Starting at | Replaces |
|---|---|---|
| Pallet storage | $25 per pallet per month | Rent and NNN charges on space you may not fill |
| Dedicated floor space | $2.50 per sq ft per month | A leased footprint, without a multi-year term |
| Pallet handling | $12 per pallet in, $12 out | Your receiving and shipping crew and forklift |
| Order processing | $5 per order, with pick and pack labor quoted per job | Your pick, pack and ship staff |
| Special project labor | $38 per hour | Overtime and temporary labor for one-off jobs |

Kitting is priced per job as well. Storage terms are not annual-only, so a contract can cover one season, a few months or several years. Ask for a written quote to set each line against a lease. Rates as of 2026-10-08.

## Is a 3PL cheaper than your own warehouse?

The 3PL vs own warehouse decision is fixed cost against variable cost. Leasing your own warehouse means rent on the whole building every month, full or half empty, for the length of the lease, plus the people, equipment and software to run it. A 3PL charges for the pallets stored and the orders shipped. If the space would sit full and busy all year with your own team, a lease can cost less per pallet. If inventory swings, volume is still growing, or you need space for months rather than years, a 3PL usually costs less.

## How much does it cost to rent a warehouse in Los Angeles?

Kidder Mathews put the [average direct asking rate for Los Angeles industrial space at $1.36 per square foot per month NNN in Q3 2026](https://kidder.com/market-reports/los-angeles-industrial-market-report/), and the [San Fernando Valley average at $1.57](https://kidder.com/market-reports/san-fernando-valley-industrial-market-report/), which Kidder reports as a separate market. The Los Angeles report also has Class A buildings leasing at $2.40 to $2.75 per square foot NNN, with many of those leases asking for a letter of credit equal to 9 to 12 months of gross rent.

Here is what base rent alone looks like at those averages:

| Space | At $1.36 (Los Angeles average) | At $1.57 (San Fernando Valley) |
|---|---|---|
| 5,000 sq ft | $6,800 a month | $7,850 a month |
| 10,000 sq ft | $13,600 a month | $15,700 a month |
| 20,000 sq ft | $27,200 a month | $31,400 a month |

NNN means triple net: on top of base rent, the tenant pays its share of the building's property taxes, insurance and maintenance. Industrial leases also tend to run for several years, so a lease is a commitment to that monthly number long after this year's volume is known.

## What else does running your own warehouse cost?

Rent is the line everyone checks. These are the ones that decide the comparison.

| Cost | Your own leased warehouse | A 3PL (Alvy Logistics 2026 card) |
|---|---|---|
| Space | Rent on the whole footprint, full or empty | From $25 per pallet stored per month, or from $2.50 per sq ft for dedicated space |
| NNN charges | Taxes, building insurance and maintenance on top of rent | No NNN line on our card |
| Commitment | A multi-year lease, often with a deposit or letter of credit | Terms that are not annual-only |
| Racking and equipment | Buy racking, forklifts, pallet jacks and dock equipment | Nothing to buy |
| People | Hire, train and manage staff, and cover peaks and absences | From $12 per pallet in or out, from $5 per order plus pick and pack labor quoted per job, from $38 an hour for projects |
| Software | A warehouse management system and its integrations | Inventory and orders in the Logiwa client portal, which also connects your online stores (for example Shopify) |
| Containers | Your crew unloads them | Container unloading quoted per container |
| Insurance | Policies for the building operation and your inventory | Ask any 3PL, us included, what its contract covers and what you should insure yourself |

## How do you compare a lease with a 3PL per pallet?

The fair comparison is cost per pallet actually stored. For a leased building:

**(Rent + NNN charges + equipment + labor + software + utilities) ÷ pallets stored that month = your cost per pallet.**

Base rent alone on 10,000 square feet at the Los Angeles average is $13,600 a month (10,000 × $1.36). The same $13,600 would pay for 544 pallets a month at $25 ($13,600 ÷ $25 = 544). That sets the lease's rent against the 3PL's storage line only: the lease still needs NNN charges, racking, a forklift, staff and software, and the 3PL adds handling from $12 per pallet in and out plus its order fees. If your inventory averages well below 544 pallets, or swings with the season, the 3PL usually costs less. If you would keep a racked building much fuller than that all year, with staff kept busy, the lease can win.

Seasonality is where a lease costs most. Take a brand that stores 150 pallets for nine months of the year and 400 pallets during a three-month peak:

- **Paying per pallet** at $25: (150 × 9) + (400 × 3) = 2,550 pallet-months, or $63,750 for the year.
- **Paying for peak capacity all year** at the same $25 a pallet: 400 × 12 = 4,800 pallet-months, or $120,000.

The $56,250 gap is the cost of empty space in the slow months. A lease sized for the peak has the same shape: the rent in the quietest month is the same as in the busiest.

## When should you use a 3PL instead of your own warehouse?

| Your situation | Better fit | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Under a few hundred orders a month | In-house, in the space you have | 3PL storage and order fees usually cost more than packing it yourself |
| A few hundred to several thousand orders a month | 3PL | Space and labor scale with orders, with no fixed staff |
| Inventory swings with the season | 3PL | You pay for pallets stored, not peak capacity all year |
| Space for months, not years | 3PL | Leases run for years; 3PL terms can be seasonal |
| Steady, high volume that fills a building all year | Own warehouse | Fixed costs spread over enough volume to beat per-unit pricing |
| Custom processes, light manufacturing, full control of staff | Own warehouse | Your building, your rules |
| Testing a new region or sales channel | 3PL | No lease to unwind if it does not work |
| Goods held under customs bond, chilled goods or food | A specialist warehouse | We are not a bonded warehouse, we have no temperature-controlled storage, and this is not an FDA-registered facility |

## Can you rent warehouse space short term?

Rarely on a lease. Industrial landlords want multi-year tenants, so short term warehouse space usually means a sublease of whatever happens to be available, or a 3PL. To outsource warehousing for a season, rent storage by the pallet instead: on our card, from $25 per pallet per month, on terms that are not annual-only. Seasonal overflow, a few months between buildings, or inventory waiting on a launch are all normal requests. See [short-term warehouse storage](https://www.alvylogistics.com/warehousing/short-term-storage).

## What are the disadvantages of a 3PL?

An honest list: you give up some direct control of the people and the process, you share the building and the dock schedule with other clients, and per-unit fees add up at very high, steady volume. Onboarding takes work, from SKU data to packaging rules to order integrations. Before you send inventory to any 3PL, ask to see every charge as its own line and to walk the building.

## Where does Valencia fit if you need space in Los Angeles?

If you are looking at warehouse space for rent in Los Angeles because you need somewhere to put inventory, price the same pallets per month first. Our building is a 58,000 sq ft ambient, dry warehouse in Valencia, at the north end of Los Angeles County on the I-5, with inventory racked or floor-stacked: general merchandise, retail and ecommerce stock, packaging and print, apparel, and beauty and personal care products. See [warehousing services](https://www.alvylogistics.com/warehousing), [pallet storage](https://www.alvylogistics.com/warehousing/pallet-storage) and [3PL in Los Angeles](https://www.alvylogistics.com/3pl/los-angeles) for how it works, and the [3PL and pallet storage pricing guide](https://www.alvylogistics.com/guides/3pl-pallet-storage-pricing) for a worked monthly bill.

## How to get a side-by-side number

Send your average and peak pallet counts, monthly orders, how inventory arrives, and how long you need the space. A coordinator prices each line in a written quote so you can set it against a lease quote. Ask for that side-by-side through the [quote form](https://www.alvylogistics.com/request-quote), or call during business hours.

## 3PL vs own warehouse questions

### How much does it cost to rent a warehouse in Los Angeles?

Kidder Mathews put the average direct asking rent for Los Angeles industrial space at $1.36 per square foot a month NNN in Q3 2026, and $1.57 in the San Fernando Valley. For 10,000 square feet that is $13,600 a month in base rent at the Los Angeles average, before NNN charges, equipment, staff and software.

### Is a 3PL the same as a warehouse?

No. A warehouse is a building. A 3PL is a company that runs one and charges for the work: storage, receiving, order fulfillment and shipping. With a lease you rent space and do the work yourself. With a 3PL you pay per pallet, per order and per hour of project labor.

### When should a business use a 3PL instead of its own warehouse?

When inventory or order volume swings, when you need space for months rather than years, or when you ship a few hundred to several thousand orders a month and do not want fixed staff. Your own building tends to win when steady, high volume fills it all year.

### Can you rent warehouse space short term?

Rarely on a lease, because industrial leases usually run for years. A 3PL is the usual answer. At Alvy Logistics, pallet storage starts at $25 per pallet per month, and terms are not annual-only, so a single season is a normal request.

### What are the disadvantages of a 3PL?

You give up some direct control of staff and process, share the building and dock schedule with other clients, and pay per-unit fees that add up at very high, steady volume. Onboarding takes work too: SKU data, packaging rules and order integrations all have to be set up.

### Is it better to lease or own a warehouse?

For most growing brands, neither yet. Owning ties up capital in a building, and leasing commits you to rent on the whole space for years. Either makes sense once you can keep a building full and busy for the long term; until then a 3PL charges for the pallets and orders you actually have, from $25 per pallet per month at Alvy Logistics.

---

# UN3373 specimen transport: packaging and courier rules

URL: https://www.alvylogistics.com/guides/medical-courier-requirements
Type: Guide
Updated: 2026-10-07

UN3373 identifies "Biological substance, Category B": a Division 6.2 infectious substance that does not meet the Category A definition, a group that covers many patient specimens sent for diagnosis. Under 49 CFR 173.199 the shipper packs it in triple packaging and marks the outer box with the UN3373 diamond and that proper shipping name. Anyone who transports it must know those rules too.

## What is UN3373, biological substance Category B?

UN3373 is the number the federal [Hazardous Materials Table](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-49/section-172.101) gives "Biological substance, Category B", a Division 6.2 infectious substance. Most pages on medical courier requirements are written for drivers. This one is for the lab, clinic or practice that ships specimens and wants to know what the rules ask of each side.

Federal rules at [49 CFR 173.134](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-49/section-173.134) define a Category B infectious substance as one "that is not in a form generally capable of causing permanent disability or life-threatening or fatal disease in otherwise healthy humans or animals when exposure to it occurs." Category A covers substances capable of that harm, with different UN numbers and stricter packaging under 49 CFR 173.196. Regulated medical waste is also separate, under UN3291.

## Is every specimen UN3373?

No. Section 173.134(b) lists materials that are not regulated as Division 6.2 at all, including material unlikely to cause disease, non-infectious biological materials, blood collected for transfusion, and dried blood spots on filter paper. Deciding whether a specimen is Category A, Category B or excepted is the shipper's call, made by someone who knows the specimen and the patient.

One exception touches couriers directly. Under 173.134(b)(10), a patient sample that is not Category A is excepted when "transported by a private or contract carrier in a motor vehicle used exclusively to transport such materials." Medical equipment and lab products may ride along if properly packaged. A courier vehicle that also carries general freight does not meet that test, so a Category B specimen on it travels packed and marked as UN3373.

## How do you package UN3373 specimens?

[49 CFR 173.199](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-49/section-173.199) requires triple packaging. When a Category B specimen is packed this way, it is excepted from the rest of the Hazardous Materials Regulations, apart from incident reporting and an air cargo location rule.

| Layer | What 49 CFR 173.199 requires |
|---|---|
| Primary receptacle | Leakproof for liquids, siftproof for solids. Fragile tubes wrapped or separated so they cannot touch. |
| Absorbent (liquids) | Between the primary and secondary, enough to absorb the entire contents. |
| Secondary packaging | Leakproof (liquids) or siftproof (solids). The primary must not be able to break, be punctured or leak into it in normal transport. |
| Outer packaging | Rigid, with cushioning. At least one surface 100 mm x 100 mm. The completed package must pass a 1.2 m drop test. |
| By aircraft only | Liquids: primary or secondary withstands a 95 kPa pressure differential, with up to 1 L per primary receptacle and 4 L per outer package. Solids: up to 4 kg per outer package. Ice or dry ice does not count toward these limits. |

The packaging maker must supply filling and closing instructions, and packages "must be filled and closed in accordance with" them. Buy UN3373 kits from a supplier and follow its instructions exactly. In the UN Model Regulations and the international air rules, the same triple packaging is Packing Instruction P650 ([WHO guidance](https://cdn.who.int/media/docs/default-source/influenza/global-influenza-surveillance-and-response-system/who_guidance_is_2021-22.pdf)).

## What goes on the UN3373 label and the outside of the box?

What people call the UN3373 label is a required mark:

- **The UN3373 diamond.** A square-on-point mark on a contrasting background, each side at least 50 mm, border line at least 2 mm wide, letters and numbers at least 6 mm high.
- **The proper shipping name** next to the diamond, in letters at least 6 mm high.
- **A responsible person.** The name and phone number of someone knowledgeable about the material, or with immediate access to such a person, on a document such as a bill of lading or on the outer packaging. The phone must be monitored during business hours.
- **Overpacks.** If packages go inside an overpack, the marks must be visible or reproduced on the outside.

## Who packs the specimen, and what must the courier know?

| The shipper (lab, clinic, practice) | The courier |
|---|---|
| Classifies the specimen: Category A, Category B or excepted | Knows the 173.199 requirements, as 173.199(e) requires |
| Packs it in triple packaging, per the kit instructions | Recognizes a correctly packed and marked package |
| Marks the UN3373 diamond and proper shipping name | Flags a leaking, damaged or unmarked package before taking it |
| Adds ice or dry ice, if needed, and marks it | Keeps the package secured in the vehicle |
| Names a responsible person with a phone number | Follows the shipper's handoff and custody instructions |

## Shipping specimens with dry ice

Under 173.199(d), ice or dry ice goes outside the secondary packaging or in an overpack, with interior supports holding the secondary in place. With dry ice, the outer packaging must let carbon dioxide gas escape, and the package is marked "Carbon dioxide, solid" or "Dry ice" with an indication that the contents are for diagnostic or treatment purposes. Air adds more: under [49 CFR 173.217](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-49/section-173.217)(c), the net weight of the dry ice must be marked on the package, and the shipper must make arrangements with the aircraft operator for each shipment.

## What does OSHA's bloodborne pathogens standard require?

OSHA's [Bloodborne Pathogens Standard, 29 CFR 1910.1030](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-29/section-1910.1030), applies to occupational exposure to blood or other potentially infectious materials. It sets duties for employers; OSHA does not certify couriers. Where employees have reasonably anticipated exposure, the employer must:

- Keep a written Exposure Control Plan, reviewed at least once a year.
- Offer the hepatitis B vaccination series at no cost, within 10 working days of initial assignment.
- Train employees at initial assignment and at least annually, during working hours, and keep training records for 3 years.

The standard also requires specimens to travel in a container that prevents leakage, closed and labeled or color-coded before transport, which normally happens where the specimen is collected. Whether a driver who only carries sealed packages has occupational exposure is a determination each employer makes. Ask any courier how it handles exposure for the drivers, employees or contractors, who will carry your specimens.

## Does HIPAA apply to a specimen courier?

Specimens travel with labels and requisitions that carry patient information. In its [FAQ on business associates](https://www.hhs.gov/hipaa/for-professionals/faq/245/are-entities-business-associates/index.html), HHS says a covered entity does not need a business associate contract with the US Postal Service, certain private couriers and their electronic equivalents that act merely as conduits. A conduit transports information but does not access it except on a random or infrequent basis as needed for the transportation service or as required by law. If a courier does more than carry sealed items, your compliance team decides whether a business associate agreement is needed.

## Why is chain of custody important for specimens?

Chain of custody means documenting every handoff of a specimen, by name and time, from collection to testing. It lets the lab show that the sample it tested is the one collected, intact. In DOT-regulated drug testing the record is formal: the specimen travels with a Federal Drug Testing Custody and Control Form, and a missing form or a broken or tampered bottle seal is a "fatal flaw" that always cancels the test ([49 CFR 40.199](https://www.law.cornell.edu/cfr/text/49/40.199)). Clinical and research labs set their own requirements, so ask the receiving lab what it needs. From the courier, that usually means names, times and signatures at each handoff, with the package left sealed.

## What to ask any medical courier

- Do your drivers know the UN3373 packaging and marking rules, and what do they do with a leaking or unmarked package?
- How do you handle bloodborne pathogen exposure for drivers on specimen routes?
- How is custody recorded at each handoff, and can we get the records?
- Do specimens share the vehicle with general freight?
- What happens when a pickup is missed or the receiving lab is closed?
- Will you sign our business associate agreement if our compliance team requires one?

## Shipping lab specimens by courier: how we carry them

We carry shipper-packed specimens from Fresno and Santa Barbara to Los Angeles, Orange County, the Inland Empire and San Diego, on scheduled lab pickups and same-day runs. Your lab or clinic packs and marks each specimen; our drivers carry the sealed packages. Drivers on our specimen routes are trained in bloodborne pathogens, with training records on file. When your lab's process requires it, the driver signs the custody form or delivery receipt at each handoff, as the driver or carrier, never as the shipper. Category A substances and other hazardous materials are outside what we carry. Car runs start at $45 for the first 20 miles, and routes are quoted after a look at your stops. See [medical courier service](https://www.alvylogistics.com/courier/medical), [healthcare logistics](https://www.alvylogistics.com/industries/healthcare-logistics) and [same-day courier](https://www.alvylogistics.com/courier/same-day), or [request a quote](https://www.alvylogistics.com/request-quote).

## UN3373 and specimen courier questions

### What does UN3373 mean?

UN3373 is the UN identification number assigned to "Biological substance, Category B" in the federal Hazardous Materials Table (49 CFR 172.101). It identifies an infectious substance, such as a patient specimen, that is not in a form generally capable of causing permanent disability or life-threatening disease in healthy people when exposure occurs.

### What is the proper shipping name for UN3373?

The Hazardous Materials Table lists it as "Biological substance, Category B". Under 49 CFR 173.199 the name goes on the outer packaging next to the UN3373 diamond, in letters at least 6 mm high. The diamond needs sides of at least 50 mm and a border line at least 2 mm wide.

### Who is responsible for packing UN3373 specimens?

The shipper: the lab, clinic or practice that offers the specimen for transport classifies it, packs it following the packaging manufacturer's instructions, and marks it. Under 49 CFR 173.199(e), each person who offers or transports a Category B specimen must know the requirements, so the courier must recognize a correct package too.

### Can UN3373 specimens ship with dry ice?

Yes. Dry ice goes outside the secondary packaging or in an overpack, and the outer box must let carbon dioxide gas escape. The package is marked "Dry ice" or "Carbon dioxide, solid" with an indication that the contents are for diagnostic or treatment purposes. Air shipments also need the dry ice net weight marked.

### When would a UN3373 label be used?

When a lab, clinic or practice offers a Category B infectious substance for transport under 49 CFR 173.199, such as a patient specimen that does not meet the Category A definition. Category A material uses a different UN number, and materials excepted under 173.134(b), such as dried blood spots on filter paper, do not need the mark.

### How do you ship lab specimens by courier?

Classify the specimen, pack and mark it as UN3373 if it is Category B, and put a responsible person's name and phone number on the paperwork or the package. Then book the courier with the pickup window, the destination and whether the package holds dry ice, and keep the pickup and delivery times and signatures as your custody record.

### What level of risk does UN3373 pose?

UN3373 marks Category B, the lower-risk class of infectious substance: material that is not in a form generally capable of causing permanent disability or life-threatening disease in otherwise healthy people. Category A covers material that is, and it ships under a different UN number with stricter packaging under 49 CFR 173.196.

---

# Courier service in Los Angeles for businesses

URL: https://www.alvylogistics.com/courier
Type: Hub
Updated: 2026-10-08

Courier service in Los Angeles from Alvy Logistics is local B2B delivery: documents, parts, cartons, pallets and specimens moved by car, cargo van or 20 to 26 ft box truck, the same day or on a set route, from $45 by car for the first 20 miles. Contractor drivers based in Orange County, the Inland Empire, San Diego, Ventura and Santa Barbara, and Fresno take the local runs there.

## What our Los Angeles courier service includes

- Same-day and rush: On-demand pickups across LA County and every other service area, booked by phone or in our online shipper portal.
- Scheduled, routed and dedicated: Recurring daily or weekly runs quoted per stop or per route, or a driver and vehicle booked for a day or set hours.
- Final mile: Last-leg delivery to stores, job sites and customers for brands, retailers and other carriers.
- White glove: Inside delivery, room placement and debris removal for furniture, fixtures and fragile goods.
- Medical and specimen: STAT and routed runs for labs, clinics and device companies, with each package carried sealed, as the shipper packed it.
- On-board courier: A courier flies with your shipment from LAX, SAN or SFO and hands it over in person.

## Courier rates in Los Angeles, starting at

Starting rates from the Alvy Logistics courier card for 2026. Each base rate includes the first 20 trip miles.

| Vehicle | Starting at | What changes the price |
|---|---|---|
| Car (documents, small parcels) | $45, first 20 miles included | Mileage after 20 miles is quoted; waiting time or extra stops are added when the run needs them |
| Cargo van (cartons, light freight) | $80, first 20 miles included | Mileage after 20 miles is quoted; heavy loads, a pallet jack or a second person are added when the job needs them |
| 20 to 26 ft box truck (pallets and bulky freight) | $200, first 20 miles included | Mileage after 20 miles is quoted; a second person, a liftgate, or after-hours or weekend timing is added when needed |
| Scheduled route or dedicated driver | Quoted per stop, per route or for the block | Number of stops, vehicle, delivery windows, hours booked and how often it runs |

After the first 20 miles, mileage can start as low as $1.20 a mile, depending on the vehicle and the route, and it is set on your written quote. Extras are added only when the job needs them and listed on the quote before anything moves. There is no charge to bring a driver to you, long runs have no separate long-distance band, tolls pass through at cost and a fuel surcharge may apply. For an exact price, request a quote or call (661) 344-8766. Rates as of 2026-10-08.

## Business courier service across Los Angeles County

Alvy Logistics runs its courier service in Los Angeles for businesses from a 58,000 sq ft warehouse in Valencia, in the Santa Clarita Valley. The sections below cover each part of Los Angeles County, with driving miles from the warehouse; a run that starts elsewhere is priced on its own trip miles. Beyond the county, contractor drivers based in each area take local runs in [Fresno and the Central Valley](https://www.alvylogistics.com/courier/fresno), [Ventura and Santa Barbara](https://www.alvylogistics.com/courier/ventura-santa-barbara), the [Inland Empire](https://www.alvylogistics.com/courier/inland-empire), [Orange County](https://www.alvylogistics.com/courier/orange-county) and [San Diego](https://www.alvylogistics.com/courier/san-diego).

We are a B2B courier: a business books and pays for every run, and the written quote shows the price before you book. We do not handle household moves or residential relocations.

### Courier service in the Santa Clarita and Antelope valleys

This is where Alvy started: Noah Alvarez founded the business here in 2020, delivering across the Santa Clarita Valley, and the warehouse and dispatch are still in Valencia. Runs across the valley, such as Valencia to Newhall at about 9 miles, are short and fit inside the base rate. The 14 leaves the I-5 at the Newhall Pass and climbs to the Antelope Valley: Palmdale and Lancaster are about an hour to an hour and ten minutes from the warehouse with light traffic.

### The San Fernando Valley

The Valley is the part of the city closest to the warehouse: Van Nuys and Burbank are about 26 to 30 miles away by road, on the I-5, the 405 and the 118. The cities, roads and typical runs are on our [San Fernando Valley courier service](https://www.alvylogistics.com/courier/san-fernando-valley) page.

### Downtown Los Angeles and Hollywood messenger runs

By road the warehouse is about 40 miles from downtown Los Angeles and 33 from Hollywood. Downtown courier work is mostly messenger work: contracts, originals and court papers between law firms, the financial district and the courthouses around the Civic Center, and samples moving through the Fashion District. Hollywood runs lean toward production: hard drives, equipment and paperwork between production offices and post houses.

### The Westside

Santa Monica, Culver City, West Hollywood and Beverly Hills sit about 36 to 40 road miles from the warehouse, reached over the Sepulveda Pass or along the 10. See [courier service in Santa Monica and the Westside](https://www.alvylogistics.com/courier/westside) for the cities, building access and typical runs.

### LAX, the South Bay and Long Beach

From the LAX area through Torrance and Carson to the Long Beach harbor, the county's south end is about 44 to 65 miles from the warehouse and runs on the 405, the 110 and the 710. Routes and prices are on [courier service in Long Beach and the South Bay](https://www.alvylogistics.com/courier/long-beach-south-bay).

### Pasadena and the San Gabriel Valley

Pasadena is about 40 miles from the warehouse on the 210, with El Monte, City of Industry and Pomona further east along the 10 and the 60. The cities and typical runs are covered on [courier service in Pasadena and the San Gabriel Valley](https://www.alvylogistics.com/courier/pasadena-san-gabriel-valley).

## Which vehicle does my delivery need?

The vehicle sets the base price, so we match it to the load instead of sending a truck for an envelope.

- **Car** for documents, small parcels and specimens. From $45 for the first 20 miles.
- **Cargo van** for cartons, parts and light freight. From $80 for the first 20 miles.
- **20 to 26 ft box truck** for pallets, fixtures and bulky freight, with a liftgate or a pallet jack added to the quote where the receiver has no dock. From $200 for the first 20 miles.

Mileage is added after the first 20 miles. If you are not sure which vehicle fits, tell us the weight, the number of pieces and the pickup and delivery points, and we will tell you.

## Legal and document courier runs

Documents ride by car, from $45 for the first 20 miles: contracts, originals and court papers between law firms, the financial district and the courthouses around the Civic Center, and signed paperwork between offices anywhere in the county. When your process calls for it, the driver signs your custody form or delivery receipt at the handoff. The delivery update in our online shipper portal comes with a photo, so you have proof of delivery the moment the papers land.

## Should I book same day or set up a route?

[Same day courier service](https://www.alvylogistics.com/courier/same-day) covers the urgent job: a part that has to reach a job site, a contract that needs a signature by five, a store that ran out of stock. Once a delivery repeats, it usually makes sense to schedule it. A recurring route runs at a fixed window and is quoted from your stops and days, and because an added stop costs less than a new run, it often comes out cheaper than booking each delivery on demand. When the work fills a day, a dedicated driver and vehicle can be booked for the day or for set hours.

## Who uses a local B2B delivery service?

The service is built for labs and clinics with specimen runs, retailers and brands that need store and customer deliveries, manufacturers moving parts between sites, production companies in Los Angeles, and logistics companies that need a local partner for the last leg. Courier services for small business accounts work the same way: a single run is priced on its own trip miles, and a scheduled route is quoted from however many stops you have.

## How do I book and track a courier in Los Angeles?

New clients start by phoning (661) 344-8766 or filling in the quote form on this page. Once your account is set up, you book and follow orders in our online shipper portal, which runs on the DispatchScience TMS with custom integrations, and business clients are invoiced. In the portal you can follow each run with the driver's live location, onsite updates, and pickup and delivery updates with photos, so proof of delivery comes with a picture. Forwarders, 3PLs and shippers that run their own TMS can usually connect it to the portal; ask a coordinator about it during setup. For what sets the price of a run, see the [Los Angeles courier cost guide](https://www.alvylogistics.com/guides/courier-cost-los-angeles).

## Los Angeles courier service questions

### How much does a courier cost in Los Angeles?

At Alvy Logistics a car delivery starts at $45 for the first 20 miles, a cargo van at $80 and a 20 to 26 ft box truck at $200, with mileage added after 20 miles. Wait time, extra stops, a liftgate and after-hours or weekend timing are the usual extras, and they are listed on your quote.

### Do you offer same-day courier service?

Yes. Same-day pickups are the core of the courier service, across Los Angeles County and in each of our other service areas. Call during business hours or book in our online shipper portal, and we match the job to a car, cargo van or box truck depending on size and weight.

### What areas does your courier service cover?

All of Los Angeles County, from the Santa Clarita and Antelope valleys through the San Fernando Valley, downtown, the Westside, the LAX area, the South Bay, Long Beach and the San Gabriel Valley. Beyond the county, contractor drivers based in each area take local runs in Fresno and the Central Valley, Ventura and Santa Barbara, the Inland Empire, Orange County and San Diego. Mileage is added after the first 20 miles.

### Can I set up a recurring courier route?

Yes. A scheduled daily or weekly route suits work that repeats, such as bank runs, lab pickups or store replenishment. Send the stops, days and windows and a coordinator quotes it per stop or per route. Grouping stops tends to cost less than separate bookings, because the stops share one driver and vehicle instead of each paying a base rate. A dedicated driver and vehicle can also be booked for a day or set hours.

### Who are your drivers?

Alvy Logistics works with a network of vetted independent-contractor drivers who run cars, cargo vans and box trucks. Dispatch matches each job to the right vehicle and a driver from that network, so the vehicle fits the load instead of the other way round.

### Is a courier cheaper than an app-based delivery service?

For a small item on a short trip, an app can cost less. A business courier is priced per run by vehicle, from $45 by car for the first 20 miles, and earns that on loads an app is not built for: cartons and pallets, recurring routes, specimens and signed documents, and work that needs photo proof of delivery and an invoice.

### How fast can a courier deliver in Los Angeles?

A same-day run goes straight from pickup to delivery with no sorting stop, so the time depends on distance, traffic and when the driver reaches the pickup. Give us the deadline as well as the addresses, and a coordinator confirms the delivery window when you book.

---

# Freight shipping from Los Angeles

URL: https://www.alvylogistics.com/freight
Type: Hub
Updated: 2026-10-08

Freight shipping from Los Angeles with Alvy Logistics works two ways. Pallets and box truck loads around Southern California move on our own carrier authority, from $200 for the first 20 miles. LTL and truckload lanes beyond the region are arranged through Accurate Freight Systems LLC, the licensed property broker in our group, and quoted per shipment.

- Carrier: ALVY BROS DELIVERS INC, USDOT 3443448, MC-1341979
- Brokerage: Accurate Freight Systems LLC, MC-572734
- Local freight: Box truck from $200 for the first 20 miles

## What our freight shipping includes

- LTL shipping: One to several pallets on a shared truck, with freight class, liftgate and appointment needs set up front.
- Truckload: A full trailer for one shipper when the load fills the truck or cannot be handled more than once.
- Pallet delivery: Local pallet runs around Southern California by box truck, often the same day, and pallets further out on LTL.
- Expedited freight: Time-critical freight on a dedicated truck that goes straight from pickup to delivery, often the same day inside the region.
- Freight brokerage: Lanes beyond our own routes, arranged with authorized carriers by Accurate Freight Systems LLC.
- Warehouse handoff: Freight that needs storage, cross-docking or kitting first can stop at our Valencia warehouse.

## Freight pricing from Los Angeles, starting at

Local freight starts from the published box truck rate. Longer LTL and truckload lanes depend on lane, weight, freight class and timing, so they are quoted per shipment.

| Freight | Starting at | What changes the price |
|---|---|---|
| Local pallet or bulky freight by box truck | From $200 for the first 20 miles | Mileage after 20 miles is quoted; a liftgate, pallet jack, second person or heavy freight is added when the job needs it and listed on your quote |
| Freight that needs a dock stop | Handling from $12 per pallet in or out | Storage from $25 per pallet per month; container unloading is quoted |
| LTL and truckload beyond Southern California | Quoted per shipment | Lane, freight class, weight and dimensions, appointments and accessorials |

Starting-at figures. After the first 20 miles, mileage can start as low as $1.20 a mile, depending on the vehicle and the route, and it is set on your written quote. Extras are added only when the job needs them and a fuel surcharge may apply, with every charge listed on the quote before the freight moves. Rates as of 2026-10-08.

## A freight company in Los Angeles that tells you who is hauling

If you are comparing freight companies in Los Angeles, start with who actually moves the load. Most freight shipping companies blur the difference between a carrier and a broker. We keep it plain. **ALVY BROS DELIVERS INC**, which trades as Alvy Logistics, is an FMCSA-authorized motor carrier (USDOT 3443448, MC-1341979). Our drivers haul local and regional freight around Southern California: pallets, fixtures, parts, trade show and live event freight, and box truck loads. A driver and box truck can also be booked as a dedicated block for a day or set hours.

For lanes we do not run ourselves, such as LTL to Phoenix or a full truckload to Salt Lake City, **Accurate Freight Systems LLC**, the licensed property broker in our group (MC-572734), arranges the move with an authorized motor carrier, and it has the federally required $75,000 broker security on file. Alvy bought Accurate Freight Systems outright in October 2025, so one group covers everything from a single box on a courier run to a full 53-foot truckload. You can always ask which company is handling your shipment, and in which role; our page on [freight brokerage services](https://www.alvylogistics.com/freight/brokerage) explains how a brokered load works.

## LTL, truckload or a box truck: which one fits your freight?

LTL and FTL shipping cover most freight that leaves Southern California. Inside the region, a box truck is often faster and simpler.

- **Box truck** for local freight inside Southern California, from a single pallet to a full 20 to 26 ft truck. It goes straight from pickup to delivery, with no terminals in between.
- **LTL (less than truckload)** for one to about six pallets going further, sharing trailer space with other shippers. See [LTL shipping](https://www.alvylogistics.com/freight/ltl-shipping).
- **Truckload** for loads that fill most of a trailer or should not be rehandled. See [truckload shipping](https://www.alvylogistics.com/freight/truckload).
- **Pallets**, one or several, across town or out of state. See [pallet shipping](https://www.alvylogistics.com/freight/pallet-shipping).
- **Expedited** when a load cannot wait for a scheduled LTL route. See [expedited freight services](https://www.alvylogistics.com/freight/expedited).

If you are unsure, the [LTL vs FTL guide](https://www.alvylogistics.com/guides/ltl-vs-ftl) walks through the break-even, and the [freight class guide](https://www.alvylogistics.com/guides/freight-class) explains how density changes an LTL rate.

## Freight delivery that needs a stop first

Because Alvy runs a 58,000 sq ft warehouse in Valencia, on the I-5 north of Los Angeles, freight does not have to go door to door. Inbound containers can be unloaded and broken down, pallets can be held there between legs, and mixed shipments can be [cross-docked](https://www.alvylogistics.com/warehousing/cross-docking) onto outbound trucks.

## What to have ready for a freight quote

Pickup and delivery addresses, the number of pallets or pieces with weights and dimensions, what the freight is, and whether either end needs a liftgate, an appointment or inside delivery. With those, a coordinator can prepare a written quote, and business clients are invoiced. If you searched for freight companies near me from the Santa Clarita Valley, the San Fernando Valley or north Los Angeles County, we are close: freight can be picked up, staged and dispatched from Valencia without a trip into the basin first.

## What we do not handle

- Hazardous materials or dangerous goods
- Household goods or residential moves
- Refrigerated or frozen freight
- Port drayage of ocean containers

## Freight shipping questions

### Is Alvy Logistics a freight carrier or a freight broker?

Both roles exist in our group, under different licenses. ALVY BROS DELIVERS INC (USDOT 3443448, MC-1341979) is the motor carrier and hauls freight itself. Accurate Freight Systems LLC (MC-572734), an Alvy Logistics company, is the licensed property broker that arranges loads with other authorized carriers, and it has the federally required $75,000 broker security on file. You can always ask which company is handling your shipment.

### How much does freight shipping cost from Los Angeles?

Local freight by box truck starts at $200 for the first 20 miles, with mileage beyond that set on your quote, before extras. LTL and truckload lanes out of Southern California are priced by lane, weight, freight class and timing, so we quote each shipment. A liftgate, appointments and residential or limited-access delivery are the usual extras, listed on your written quote.

### Do you ship LTL and full truckload?

Yes. LTL suits one to about six pallets that can share a truck. Truckload suits loads that fill most of a trailer, are heavy, or should not be handled more than once. If you are not sure which is cheaper for your load, send the pallet count and weights and we will compare.

### Can you store freight before it ships?

Yes. Freight can stop at our 58,000 sq ft warehouse in Valencia for cross-docking, short-term storage or kitting before it goes out. Handling starts from $12 per pallet in or out, storage from $25 per pallet per month, and held freight stays in Valencia until you release it.

### What freight do you not handle?

We do not move hazardous materials or refrigerated loads, we do not handle household moves or residential relocations, and the Valencia warehouse is ambient and dry and not a bonded warehouse. If your freight needs any of those, tell us early and we will say so rather than quote something we cannot deliver.

### What is a bill of lading?

A bill of lading (BOL) is the shipping document that travels with the freight. It names the shipper and the consignee, describes the freight with its piece count, weight and freight class, and is the receipt the carrier signs at pickup. Keep the signed copies from pickup and delivery: they are the record you need if anything arrives short or damaged.

---

# 3PL services from one Southern California warehouse

URL: https://www.alvylogistics.com/3pl
Type: Hub
Updated: 2026-10-07

3PL services are the warehousing, order fulfillment and shipping work a third-party logistics provider runs for you: receiving, storage, pick and pack, kitting and the handoff to carriers. Alvy Logistics provides 3PL services from one 58,000 sq ft ambient warehouse in Valencia, California, with pallet storage from $25 a month and order processing from $5 an order, for brands shipping a few hundred to several thousand orders a month.

## What our 3PL services include

- Receiving and put-away: Containers and floor-loaded trailers unloaded, counted against your packing list and put away. Shortages and damage are reported to you in the Logiwa portal.
- Storage: Ambient, dry space, racked or floor-stacked, billed by the pallet or by the square foot, with lot and expiry tracking and hanging storage for garments.
- Pick, pack and ship: Ecommerce and B2B orders picked, packed and handed to the right carrier, international parcels included, with returns processed in the same building.
- Kitting and assembly: Kits, bundles, gift sets and retail displays built to a written spec.
- Freight and courier: Local courier and box truck runs from the same building, with LTL and truckload through Accurate Freight Systems LLC, the licensed property broker in our group.
- Client portal: Inventory and orders visible in the Logiwa client portal, which connects to your store and sales channels, for example Shopify.

## 3PL pricing in Valencia, starting at

From the Alvy Logistics 2026 warehouse rate card. Fulfillment labor depends on your order profile, so it is quoted after we see a sample of orders.

| Service | Starting at | What changes the price |
|---|---|---|
| Pallet storage | $25 per pallet per month | Pallet height and stackability, or dedicated square footage instead (from $2.50 per sq ft per month) |
| Receiving and shipping by the pallet | $12 per pallet in, $12 per pallet out | Mixed SKUs per pallet, relabeling, counts by unit |
| Container unloading | Quoted per container | Container size, floor-loaded vs palletized, carton count, sorting by SKU |
| Order processing | $5 per order | Units per order, packaging, inserts, B2B routing guides |

Special project labor starts at $38 an hour. Ask for a written quote: every charge is on it before you sign anything. Rates as of 2026-10-08.

## What is a 3PL, and what do 3PL services include?

A 3PL, or third-party logistics provider, is a company that runs part of your supply chain for you, usually the warehousing, order fulfillment and shipping around your inventory. 3PL services typically cover receiving inbound freight, storing it, picking and packing orders, kitting, returns and the handoff to carriers, priced per pallet, per order and per hour of project labor. In 3PL logistics the inventory stays yours: the 3PL holds it, ships it on your instructions and shows you stock levels in a client portal, which at Alvy Logistics is the Logiwa client portal.

## A 3PL provider you can drive to

Alvy Logistics runs one 58,000 sq ft warehouse in Valencia, California, just off the I-5 in the Santa Clarita Valley. Every client's inventory sits in that building, and the people who receive it are the same people who pick, pack and ship it. That is the point: a 3PL where you can see the warehouse, meet the team and know exactly where your stock is.

## Third-party warehouse or 3PL: what is the difference?

A third-party warehouse stores goods for other companies. A 3PL adds the order work and the transportation around that storage. At Alvy Logistics the same team that stores your pallets also picks orders, builds kits and books the courier, box truck or carrier pickup, so storage and fulfillment run from one inventory count. If you only need space, see [warehousing services](https://www.alvylogistics.com/warehousing) and [pallet storage](https://www.alvylogistics.com/warehousing/pallet-storage).

## How does a 3PL work? Our 3PL warehousing services, step by step

A typical 3PL relationship with us runs in this order:

1. **Inbound.** Containers and floor-loaded trailers are unloaded, counted against your packing list and put away. A short or damaged count is reported the day it happens, not at month end.
2. **Storage.** Ambient, dry space, racked or floor-stacked, billed per pallet or per square foot.
3. **Orders.** Ecommerce orders flow in from your store, for example Shopify, and are picked and packed; wholesale orders ship by the carton or pallet, built to the retailer's routing guide with GS1-128 labels, advance ship notices and EDI.
4. **Outbound.** Parcel carriers pick up at our Valencia dock, international parcels included; local courier and box truck runs go with Alvy as the carrier; LTL and truckload move through Accurate Freight Systems LLC.
5. **Returns.** Returns come back to the same building and are processed there.

## Is a 3PL right for a small business?

A 3PL starts to pay when packing and shipping take more of your week than selling does. We work best with brands and distributors shipping a few hundred to several thousand orders a month, wholesale accounts moving by the pallet, and companies that need overflow or seasonal space. Under a few hundred orders a month, doing it in-house is usually cheaper, and we will say so before you move any stock.

## One building or a national 3PL network?

Large 3PLs split inventory across many buildings to shorten parcel zones. One building keeps your stock in a single count, with one team and a dock you can visit. That suits brands whose customers are mostly in the West: ground parcels from Valencia reach most of California, Nevada and Arizona in 1 to 2 days. If most of your customers are on the East Coast, a multi-node network, or a second warehouse there, may serve you better, and we will say so.

## How do 3PLs charge, and what does our quote include?

Every quote lists storage, receiving, order handling and any project labor as separate lines, so you can see what each part of the job costs. Postage is added by carrier and service. Pick and pack is priced from a sample of your actual orders, so the rate on your quote reflects how you really ship. Business clients are invoiced. Send a month of orders and your pallet count, and ask for a written quote.

## Choosing a 3PL in Southern California

Location matters more than most 3PL sales pages admit. A Valencia building sits north of the Los Angeles basin traffic, about 60 miles from the ports, with the I-5 running north to the Central Valley and the 14 east toward the high desert. See [3PL in Los Angeles](https://www.alvylogistics.com/3pl/los-angeles) and [3PL in California](https://www.alvylogistics.com/3pl/california) for how that plays out for your lanes, and our guide to [3PL pricing](https://www.alvylogistics.com/guides/3pl-pallet-storage-pricing) for the numbers.

## What we do not handle

- Hazmat or dangerous goods storage
- Refrigerated or frozen storage (the building is ambient and dry)
- Bonded storage: this is not a bonded warehouse
- Under a few hundred orders a month, where in-house is usually cheaper

## Questions about 3PL services

### What does a 3PL do?

A third-party logistics provider runs the physical side of your supply chain for you: receiving inventory, storing it, picking and packing orders, and shipping them. At Alvy Logistics that also includes kitting, B2B orders by the pallet, and the local courier and freight moves around the warehouse.

### What is a 3PL warehouse?

A 3PL warehouse is a building run by a third-party logistics provider, where several brands have inventory received, stored and shipped by the provider's staff. Ours is one 58,000 sq ft ambient, dry building in Valencia, California, with stock racked or floor-stacked and visible to each client in the Logiwa client portal.

### Is there a minimum order volume?

There is no hard unit minimum, but there is an honest one. Under a few hundred orders a month, a 3PL usually does not beat doing it yourself, and we will say so. We fit best from a few hundred to several thousand orders a month, or wholesale volume moving by the pallet.

### Where is your 3PL warehouse?

Our one warehouse is 58,000 sq ft in Valencia, California, on the I-5 in north Los Angeles County. That is about 40 miles by road from downtown Los Angeles and 60 to 65 miles from the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach.

### Do you offer short-term 3PL contracts?

Yes. Terms are not annual-only. Seasonal overflow, a few months of storage while you move, or a long-term fulfillment program are all normal conversations. Tell us how long you need and we price it for that period.

---

# Ecommerce fulfillment services from Southern California

URL: https://www.alvylogistics.com/fulfillment
Type: Hub
Updated: 2026-10-07

Ecommerce fulfillment is the work between an online order and a delivered parcel: receiving and storing inventory, picking and packing each order, shipping it and handling returns. Alvy Logistics provides ecommerce fulfillment services from a 58,000 sq ft warehouse in Valencia, California, for direct-to-consumer and wholesale orders from one inventory. Order processing starts at $5 per order, for brands shipping a few hundred to several thousand orders a month.

## What our ecommerce fulfillment services include

- Receiving: Inventory counted against your packing list on arrival, with any discrepancies reported to you before it goes live.
- Pick and pack: Orders picked by SKU and packed to your spec, including inserts and branded packaging you supply.
- Kitting: Bundles, gift sets, displays and subscription box cycles assembled before or as orders ship, with first-kit photos to approve.
- B2B and wholesale: Retail and distributor orders by the carton or pallet, built to routing guides with GS1-128 labels, advance ship notices and EDI.
- Returns: Returns processed to your rules: each item checked, restocked when sellable and set aside when not.
- Store integrations: Your store connects through the Logiwa client portal (Shopify, for example), where you also see stock levels and order status.

## Fulfillment pricing, starting at

From the Alvy Logistics 2026 warehouse rate card. Pick and pack labor depends on your order profile, so we quote it after seeing a sample of orders.

| Service | Starting at | What changes the price |
|---|---|---|
| Order processing | $5 per order | Units per order, packaging, inserts and gift notes |
| Inventory storage | $25 per pallet per month | Pallet count, number of SKUs and seasonal peaks |
| Receiving by the pallet | $12 per pallet | Mixed SKUs, unit counts, labeling and quality checks |
| Special projects | $38 an hour | Relabeling, rework and one-off kitting builds |

Pick and pack labor and kitting are quoted per job, and postage is added by carrier and service. Ask for a written quote: every charge is on it before you sign. Rates as of 2026-10-08.

## Warehousing and fulfillment services in one building

Alvy Logistics fulfills ecommerce orders from one 58,000 sq ft warehouse in Valencia, in the Santa Clarita Valley of north Los Angeles County. Your inventory, the people who pick it and the dock it ships from are all in one building, so there is no guessing which facility has your stock. Brands comparing ecommerce fulfillment in Los Angeles can see how the location works on our [Los Angeles 3PL](https://www.alvylogistics.com/3pl/los-angeles) page.

## How our order fulfillment services work

1. **You send inventory.** By parcel, pallet or container. We count it against your packing list and put it away.
2. **Orders flow in.** Your store connects through the Logiwa client portal (Shopify, for example), where you can see stock and order status. Orders are released against a daily cutoff we agree with you.
3. **We pick, pack and ship.** To your packing spec, with your inserts and packaging, on the carrier service you choose. Parcels leave on carrier pickups at our Valencia dock, to US and international addresses.
4. **We process returns and report.** Returns are checked to your rules, and discrepancies, damages and returns are reported as they come up, not saved for month end.

## Why do high SKU counts slow down fulfillment?

Every SKU needs its own storage location, its own count and its own pick, so a catalog with many sizes, colors or shades means more travel, more scanning and more chances to pick a near match. Slow sellers also hold space that fast sellers could use. That is why our pick and pack is priced from a sample of your real orders and your SKU count, and why the two most SKU-heavy categories have their own pages: [apparel fulfillment](https://www.alvylogistics.com/fulfillment/apparel) and [beauty and cosmetics fulfillment](https://www.alvylogistics.com/fulfillment/beauty-cosmetics).

## Shopify and store integrations

Your store connects through the Logiwa client portal, Shopify for example, so orders reach the warehouse without retyping and you follow stock and order status in one place. If you sell through more than one channel, or take wholesale orders by email or EDI, list every order source when you request a quote, and we confirm how each one connects before any stock moves. For brands comparing a Shopify 3PL, the order flow is laid out step by step on our [pick and pack services](https://www.alvylogistics.com/fulfillment/pick-and-pack) page.

## International orders

International order fulfillment runs from the same building: parcels to addresses outside the US are packed from the same stock and leave on the same carrier pickups at our Valencia dock, so there is no second inventory to manage. Postage depends on weight, destination and service and is added to each order. This is one California warehouse shipping abroad, not a network of warehouses in other countries, so tell us which countries you ship to and how many orders go abroad each month.

Brands based elsewhere that want a western inventory node can read [3PL in California](https://www.alvylogistics.com/3pl/california).

## What is omnichannel fulfillment?

Omnichannel fulfillment ships every sales channel from one inventory: your online store, your other sales channels and wholesale orders to retailers. Here, direct-to-consumer parcels and wholesale cartons or pallets are picked from the same stock in Valencia, with retail orders built to the buyer's routing guide, GS1-128 labels, advance ship notices and EDI where the retailer requires them. [B2B and wholesale fulfillment](https://www.alvylogistics.com/fulfillment/b2b-wholesale) covers the retail side in detail.

## An ecommerce fulfillment center sized for growing brands

We are not built for the very smallest sellers, and we are not a national network with a dozen buildings. Our order fulfillment services fit brands shipping a few hundred to several thousand orders a month, and wholesale accounts that ship by the pallet as well as by the parcel. Inside that range you get a named team and a building you can visit.

## What is a 3PL fulfillment company, and when should you use one?

A 3PL fulfillment company stores your inventory and ships your orders from its own warehouse with its own staff, so you pay per pallet and per order instead of for a building and a team. Brands usually move to 3PL ecommerce fulfillment when packing takes over the week or orders outgrow the space they have. Our [3PL services](https://www.alvylogistics.com/3pl) page covers the storage and freight around the orders, and [ecommerce logistics](https://www.alvylogistics.com/industries/ecommerce-logistics) walks through the whole chain from factory to doorstep.

## Returns processing

Returns come back to the Valencia warehouse and are processed to rules you set in writing: checked, restocked when sellable and set aside when not. Your return rate goes into the quote, so the cost is known before launch. Our [reverse logistics services](https://www.alvylogistics.com/fulfillment/reverse-logistics) page covers grading, rework, return to vendor and local return pickups.

## What to send us for a fulfillment quote

Accurate fulfillment pricing starts from your real orders, not an estimate. Recent order data, the number of SKUs, how stock reaches us and what goes in each box let us price pick and pack per job and tell you whether your volume fits before you move any stock. Each fulfillment page lists what to send for its kind of work. Send it through the quote form or call (661) 344-8766, and you get a written quote with every charge on it.

## Specialized fulfillment

Some products need more than standard pick and pack. We run [kitting and assembly](https://www.alvylogistics.com/fulfillment/kitting-assembly) for bundles and kits, and [subscription box fulfillment](https://www.alvylogistics.com/fulfillment/subscription-box) cycle by cycle; [B2B and wholesale fulfillment](https://www.alvylogistics.com/fulfillment/b2b-wholesale) with retailer compliance and EDI; [beauty and cosmetics fulfillment](https://www.alvylogistics.com/fulfillment/beauty-cosmetics) with lot and expiry tracking, oldest date first, and limited-quantity fragrance, nail polish and aerosols accepted after safety data sheet review; [apparel fulfillment](https://www.alvylogistics.com/fulfillment/apparel) with hanging storage for garments; and [marketing and merch kits](https://www.alvylogistics.com/fulfillment/marketing-merch-kits), delivered to trade shows and live events. For the full price picture, read the [3PL and pallet storage pricing guide](https://www.alvylogistics.com/guides/3pl-pallet-storage-pricing).

## What we do not handle

- Food or supplements: this is not an FDA-registered facility
- Refrigerated, frozen or temperature-sensitive products
- Hazardous materials, beyond limited-quantity consumer goods accepted after safety data sheet review
- Very low volume, under a few hundred orders a month

## Ecommerce fulfillment questions

### What is ecommerce fulfillment?

Ecommerce fulfillment is everything that happens between a customer clicking buy and the parcel arriving: receiving and storing your inventory, picking the items, packing them, and shipping the order. A fulfillment provider like Alvy Logistics runs that from its warehouse so you do not have to.

### How much does fulfillment cost per order?

At Alvy Logistics order processing starts at $5 per order, plus storage from $25 per pallet per month and the carrier shipping charge. Orders with many units, custom packaging or inserts cost more to pack, so we price your pick and pack after seeing a sample of real orders.

### Do you fulfill both ecommerce and wholesale orders?

Yes, from the same inventory. Direct-to-consumer orders ship as parcels, while wholesale and retail orders ship by the carton or pallet and are built to the retailer routing guide, with GS1-128 labels, advance ship notices and EDI where the retailer requires them.

### What order volume do you work best with?

A few hundred to several thousand orders a month, or wholesale volume moving by the pallet. Under a few hundred orders a month the handling cost of a 3PL usually does not beat doing it yourself, and we will tell you that instead of taking the account.

### Which store platforms do you connect to?

Store and sales channel integrations run through the Logiwa client portal, Shopify for example, so orders reach the warehouse without retyping. Tell us which store platform and other order sources you use when you request a quote.

---

# Warehousing services in Valencia, north Los Angeles County

URL: https://www.alvylogistics.com/warehousing
Type: Hub
Updated: 2026-10-07

Warehousing services are storage plus the handling around it: receiving, putaway, pallet storage, container unloading, cross-docking and outbound shipping. Alvy Logistics provides warehousing services from one 58,000 sq ft ambient warehouse in Valencia, California, on terms that are not annual-only, with pallet storage from $25 a month, about 60 miles from the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach.

## What our warehousing services include

- Pallet storage: Racked pallet positions billed per pallet per month, from $25, with lot and expiry tracking that ships the oldest date first.
- Dedicated space: A floor footprint held for you, billed per square foot per month.
- Short-term and overflow: Seasonal peaks, a move between buildings, or inventory that will not fit your own space.
- Cross-docking: Freight received and reloaded onto outbound trucks with little or no storage time.
- Container unloading: Floor-loaded and palletized containers unloaded, sorted by SKU and put away, quoted per container.
- Distribution: Outbound by local courier or box truck, or by LTL and truckload through Accurate Freight Systems LLC, the licensed property broker in our group.

## Warehouse storage pricing in Valencia, starting at

From the Alvy Logistics 2026 warehouse rate card.

| Service | Starting at | What changes the price |
|---|---|---|
| Pallet storage | $25 per pallet per month | Pallet height, stackability and how long it stays |
| Dedicated floor space | $2.50 per sq ft per month | Footprint size, term length, racked or floor-stacked |
| Pallet handling in and out | $12 per pallet each way | Mixed SKUs, labeling and unit counts |
| Container unloading | Quoted per container | Container size, floor-loaded or palletized, carton count, sorting by SKU |

Special project labor starts at $38 an hour. Terms are not annual-only. Ask for a written quote: every charge is on it before you sign. Rates as of 2026-10-08.

## What does a warehousing company do?

A warehousing company stores goods for other businesses and handles them on the way in and out: unloading, counting, putaway, storage and loading outbound freight. Alvy Logistics is a warehousing company with one building: 58,000 sq ft of ambient, dry space in Valencia, in the Santa Clarita Valley. Inventory is racked or floor-stacked, and the same team that stores it also runs the courier and local box truck work around it.

## Storage that fits the way your inventory moves

- **By the pallet** for steady, palletized stock: [pallet storage](https://www.alvylogistics.com/warehousing/pallet-storage) from $25 per pallet per month.
- **By the square foot** when you want a footprint held for you, from $2.50 per sq ft, billed monthly for the agreed term.
- **For a few weeks or months** when you need overflow, seasonal or between-buildings space: see [short-term warehouse storage](https://www.alvylogistics.com/warehousing/short-term-storage).
- **Barely at all** when freight only needs to change trucks: see [cross-docking](https://www.alvylogistics.com/warehousing/cross-docking).

## Is 3PL warehousing the same as renting space?

No. With 3PL warehousing, the warehouse team handles your goods and you pay for the pallets or floor space you use plus handling, from $25 per pallet per month and from $12 per pallet in or out. Renting space means a lease on a whole building, your own staff, racking and equipment. Our [3PL services](https://www.alvylogistics.com/3pl) page covers the order work that can run on top of storage.

## Warehousing and distribution services under one roof

Storage is only half the job. Freight has to arrive and leave on time. Because Alvy also runs courier and freight, a pallet can come off a container, sit in storage, get relabeled and leave on a box truck the same week, without you coordinating three companies. Freight held between a courier pickup and a later delivery sits in the same Valencia warehouse. That is the practical difference between commercial warehouse storage and warehousing and distribution services.

## What is the difference between warehousing and distribution?

Warehousing is holding inventory until it is needed. Distribution is moving it out to the places that need it: stores, customers, job sites or other warehouses. Many buildings only do the first. Here the second is part of the same job, with outbound by Alvy courier or box truck, by parcel carriers that pick up at our dock, or by LTL and truckload through Accurate Freight Systems LLC, the licensed property broker in our group.

## Where the building sits

Valencia is on the I-5 at the north end of Los Angeles County, about 40 miles from downtown and 60 to 65 miles from the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach. That puts the warehouse outside the basin congestion, with the I-5 running north to the Central Valley and Northern California and the 14 running east toward the high desert. For inbound containers, a drayage carrier delivers to our dock and we take it from there.

The building came to Alvy with Accurate Freight Systems, bought outright in October 2025, and every Alvy team now works from it: 58,000 sq ft with 12 dock doors and 1,000 pallet positions.

## What we say up front

We are not a bonded warehouse, we do not store hazmat, and we have no climate-controlled storage. If your goods need any of those, a different building is the right answer, and we would rather tell you now. For a full cost comparison against leasing your own space, read [3PL vs renting warehouse space](https://www.alvylogistics.com/guides/3pl-vs-renting-warehouse-space). When you are ready, send your pallet count, dimensions and dates and [request a quote](https://www.alvylogistics.com/request-quote) in writing.

## What we do not handle

- Bonded storage: this is not a bonded warehouse
- Hazmat or dangerous goods
- Refrigerated, frozen or climate-sensitive goods (no climate-controlled storage)
- Food or supplements: this is not an FDA-registered facility

## Questions about warehousing services

### How much does warehouse storage cost in Southern California?

At Alvy Logistics in Valencia, pallet storage starts at $25 per pallet per month and dedicated floor space at $2.50 per square foot per month. Handling starts at $12 per pallet in and $12 out, and container unloading is quoted per container. Ask for a written quote for your pallets.

### Do I have to sign an annual contract?

No. Terms are not annual-only. A season, a few months, or a footprint held for years are all normal requests. Tell us how long you need the space and we will price it for that period.

### What can you store?

General merchandise, retail and ecommerce inventory, packaging and print, apparel (with hanging storage for garments), beauty and personal care products, and packaged medical supplies such as disposables and empty specimen kits, in ambient and dry conditions. We do not store drugs, investigational product, controlled substances, hazmat or refrigerated and frozen goods, and we do not take food or supplements, because this is not an FDA-registered facility.

### Is this a bonded warehouse?

No. Alvy Logistics is not a bonded warehouse, so imported goods must clear customs before they arrive. We say this up front so you can plan your entries.

### How far is the warehouse from the ports?

About 60 to 65 miles from the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach and about 40 miles from downtown Los Angeles, on the I-5 in Valencia. Containers are delivered to us by a drayage carrier, and we unload and put away the freight.

---

# A logistics partner for the industries we serve

URL: https://www.alvylogistics.com/industries
Type: Hub
Updated: 2026-10-07

Alvy Logistics is a logistics partner for businesses across Los Angeles and Southern California, running courier, freight, 3PL and warehousing from one 58,000 sq ft warehouse in Valencia, California. Each industry uses a different mix of those logistics services: healthcare runs on scheduled courier routes, ecommerce on fulfillment, retail on store deliveries and wholesale orders, and manufacturing on freight and storage.

## A logistics provider built around a few kinds of customers

Alvy Logistics is not trying to serve everyone. Our courier, freight and warehouse work clusters around a handful of industries where the mix of same-day delivery, freight and storage near Los Angeles really matters.

- **Healthcare and life sciences:** scheduled specimen and supply routes, STAT runs and medical device deliveries. See [healthcare logistics](https://www.alvylogistics.com/industries/healthcare-logistics).
- **Ecommerce and direct-to-consumer brands:** fulfillment, storage and final mile. See [ecommerce logistics](https://www.alvylogistics.com/industries/ecommerce-logistics).
- **Retail:** store deliveries, fixtures and wholesale orders to retailer routing guides. See [retail logistics](https://www.alvylogistics.com/industries/retail-logistics).
- **Manufacturing and distribution:** parts runs, LTL and truckload, and inventory storage. See [manufacturing logistics](https://www.alvylogistics.com/industries/manufacturing-logistics).
- **Hospitality:** receiving, staging and delivering furniture and fixtures for hotel projects. See [hospitality and FF&E logistics](https://www.alvylogistics.com/industries/hospitality-ffe-logistics).
- **Entertainment and production:** studio runs, set and equipment moves, and merch. See [entertainment and production logistics](https://www.alvylogistics.com/industries/entertainment-production-logistics).
- **Trade shows and live events:** booth and display delivery to Southern California venues, and storage between shows. See [trade show logistics](https://www.alvylogistics.com/industries/trade-show-logistics).

## Why one logistics company for several jobs

Most businesses that call us need more than one thing. A brand importing product needs a container unloaded, stock stored and orders shipped. A clinic group needs daily specimen routes and the occasional STAT run. A retailer needs store deliveries, fixtures moved before an opening and wholesale orders labeled to a routing guide. When one team runs all of it from one building, the handoffs between those jobs stop being your problem, and there is one number to call when something changes.

Every industry page lists what we do not handle, too. We would rather lose a quote than take work we cannot do well.

## Logistics for small business accounts

Small businesses use the same logistics services as large ones, priced the same way: a courier run from $45 by car for the first 20 miles, pallet storage from $25 a month and order processing from $5 per order. You can start with one service, such as a recurring courier route or a few pallets of storage, and add others when the business needs them. Every quote is written, with each charge on its own line.

## A logistics partner for other logistics companies

Some of our steadiest work comes from other logistics companies. Forwarders, 3PLs and national courier networks use Alvy Logistics as their local partner for pickups, final mile delivery and overflow space in Southern California. If that is you, call and ask for a partner rate on a recurring program.

## Questions about working with a logistics partner

### What industries does Alvy Logistics work with?

Healthcare and life sciences, ecommerce and direct-to-consumer brands, retailers, manufacturers and distributors, hospitality projects, and entertainment and production companies in Los Angeles. We also act as a local partner for other logistics companies that need courier or warehouse capacity in Southern California.

### Do you work with other logistics companies?

Yes. Freight forwarders, 3PLs and national courier networks use us for local pickups, final mile delivery and overflow storage in Southern California. Tell us the lanes and volume, and we will quote it as a recurring program.

### Can one company handle courier, freight and warehousing?

At Alvy Logistics, yes. The same team runs courier and final mile delivery, freight shipping, and warehousing and fulfillment from one building in Valencia, so an inbound container, the stock it fills and the deliveries that follow are handled together.

### Which industries do you not serve?

We do not handle hazmat or refrigerated and frozen goods, we do not take food or supplements because this is not an FDA-registered facility, and we do not handle household moves or residential relocations. That rules out some healthcare, food and beverage work, and we say so before quoting rather than after.

---

# Logistics pricing guides with real numbers

URL: https://www.alvylogistics.com/guides
Type: Hub
Updated: 2026-10-07

These guides answer the questions buyers ask before they call a logistics company, with real numbers where we have them. Courier rates by vehicle, 3PL and pallet storage pricing, freight class, LTL versus truckload, and on-board courier costs all come from the Alvy Logistics 2026 rate cards, and every guide says what changes the price.

## Guides built on our own rate cards

Most pricing articles in logistics quote national averages from someone else's survey. These guides start from the Alvy Logistics 2026 rate cards: what a car, cargo van or box truck delivery actually costs in Los Angeles, what a pallet costs to store in Valencia each month, and what an on-board courier costs out of LAX. Where we quote a range, we say what moves the number.

## How to read a logistics price

Every logistics price has three parts: a base rate, a variable part tied to distance, time or volume, and accessorials for the extras. A courier delivery is a base rate for the first 20 miles plus mileage. Warehouse storage is a monthly rate per pallet or per square foot plus handling each time a pallet moves. An on-board courier is a dispatch fee plus hourly time plus pass-through travel costs. Once you know which part of a quote is which, comparing two providers gets much easier, and the guides below break each one down.

## Start here

- **Shipping something across town?** Read the [Los Angeles courier cost guide](https://www.alvylogistics.com/guides/courier-cost-los-angeles).
- **Comparing 3PLs or storage?** Read the [3PL and pallet storage pricing guide](https://www.alvylogistics.com/guides/3pl-pallet-storage-pricing) and [3PL vs renting warehouse space](https://www.alvylogistics.com/guides/3pl-vs-renting-warehouse-space).
- **Moving freight further?** Read [LTL vs FTL](https://www.alvylogistics.com/guides/ltl-vs-ftl), [freight class](https://www.alvylogistics.com/guides/freight-class) and [freight shipping costs](https://www.alvylogistics.com/guides/freight-shipping-costs).
- **Not sure who to hire?** Read [carrier vs broker vs 3PL](https://www.alvylogistics.com/guides/carrier-vs-broker-vs-3pl).
- **Booking a hand carry or a white glove job?** Read [on-board courier cost](https://www.alvylogistics.com/guides/on-board-courier-cost) and [white glove delivery cost](https://www.alvylogistics.com/guides/white-glove-delivery-cost).
- **Shipping lab specimens?** Read [UN3373 specimen transport](https://www.alvylogistics.com/guides/medical-courier-requirements).

## When to stop reading and ask for a quote

The guides give starting rates and the factors that move them, but they cannot see your freight. Once you know roughly what you need, a written quote is quicker than more reading: send the pickup and delivery points, what is moving, its size and weight, how often it moves and the timing. A coordinator calls back during business hours with a written quote that puts every charge on its own line, so you can compare it with anyone else's. [Request a quote](https://www.alvylogistics.com/request-quote) or call (661) 344-8766, Monday to Friday, 8am to 8pm Pacific.

## Questions about logistics pricing

### Are the prices in these guides real?

Yes. Every Alvy Logistics price in these guides comes from our 2026 rate cards, shown as starting points. Your quote depends on distance, volume, timing and accessorials, and every charge is listed on it before you agree to anything.

### Why publish logistics prices at all?

Because most logistics companies do not, and it makes the first conversation slower for everyone. Starting prices let you check whether we are in your budget before you spend time on a quote request.

### How often are the guides updated?

Each guide shows the date it was last updated at the top. When our rate card changes, the guides that quote it are updated to match.

### Can I get a quote for my exact shipment?

Yes. Use the quote form or call during business hours, Monday to Friday, 8am to 8pm Pacific. A coordinator calls you back with a written quote that lists every charge.

---

# A Los Angeles 3PL warehouse in north LA County

URL: https://www.alvylogistics.com/3pl/los-angeles
Type: Service
Updated: 2026-10-08

Alvy Logistics is a Los Angeles 3PL with one 58,000 sq ft warehouse in Valencia, north LA County, about 40 miles by road from downtown. We receive, store, pick, pack and ship ecommerce and wholesale orders for LA brands, and deliver to stores by van or box truck. Pallet storage starts at $25 a month and order processing at $5 per order.

- Warehouse: One 58,000 sq ft building in Valencia, north LA County
- Distances by road: About 40 miles to downtown, 60 to 65 to the ports
- Starting at: $25 per pallet per month, $5 per order

- South on the I-5 into the Valley: Southbound from Valencia, the I-5 crosses the Newhall Pass into the San Fernando Valley about 15 miles from the dock. The 405 splits off in Sylmar toward Van Nuys and the Westside, and the I-5 carries on past Burbank and Glendale.
- About 40 miles to downtown, 44 to LAX: Downtown Los Angeles is about 40 miles from the dock by road, and LAX about 44 miles by the 405. On the 2026 courier rate card, a run starts at $80 by cargo van or $200 by box truck for the first 20 miles. After the first 20 miles, mileage can start as low as $1.20 a mile, depending on the vehicle and the route, and it is set on your written quote.
- The 210 for Pasadena and the foothills: The 210 begins at the I-5 in Sylmar and runs southeast along the foothills to Pasadena, so drops on the east side of the county do not have to go through downtown.
- 60 to 65 miles from the ports: The Port of Los Angeles terminals are about 62 miles from the dock by road, and Long Beach about 65. Your forwarder or drayage carrier trucks the container up, and we unload it here, quoted per container.
- Close enough to visit: Burbank is about 30 miles from the warehouse by road and Van Nuys about 25, so a team based in the San Fernando Valley can drive up to walk the floor, check a receiving count or see a kit before it ships.

## What our Los Angeles 3PL service includes

- Container and trailer receiving: Containers and trailers unloaded and checked against your packing list before the stock goes on hand, with any short or damaged count flagged to you.
- Storage by the pallet or the square foot: Pallets from $25 a month each, or a dedicated footprint from $2.50 per sq ft a month, in ambient, dry space, with hanging storage for garments.
- Ecommerce pick, pack and ship: Orders flow in from your store, for example Shopify, through the Logiwa client portal. We pick by SKU, pack to your spec with your inserts, hand parcels to carriers at our dock and process your returns.
- Wholesale orders for stores: Cartons and pallets for retailers and distributors, built to each routing guide with GS1-128 labels, advance ship notices and EDI, from the same stock as your online orders.
- Kitting and special projects: Bundles, gift sets and relabeling built to a written spec. Kitting is quoted per job; other project work starts at $38 an hour.
- Local delivery from the same dock: Store, showroom and supplier runs across Los Angeles County by car, cargo van or 20 to 26 ft box truck, with Alvy as the carrier.

## Los Angeles 3PL pricing, starting at

Starting prices from the Alvy Logistics 2026 warehouse rate card. Pick and pack labor is priced from a sample of your real orders, not from an estimate.

| Service | Starting at | What changes the price |
|---|---|---|
| Pallet storage | $25 per pallet per month | Dedicated floor space instead: from $2.50 per sq ft per month |
| Pallet handling in and out | $12 per pallet each way | Unit counts or relabeling: special project labor from $38 an hour |
| Container unloading | Quoted per container | Floor-loaded or palletized, container size and the SKU count |
| Order processing | $5 per order | Pick and pack labor, quoted from a sample of your orders |

Kitting, container unloading, LTL and truckload are quoted per job. Postage and freight are not included in these rates. Ask for a written quote: it shows each charge on its own line, priced on your real volumes. Rates as of 2026-10-08.

## A Los Angeles 3PL warehouse in one building you can visit

Alvy Logistics is a Los Angeles 3PL with one warehouse: 58,000 sq ft of ambient, dry space in Valencia, in the Santa Clarita Valley at the north end of Los Angeles County. It is not in the city of Los Angeles, and there is no second building. All of our [3PL services](https://www.alvylogistics.com/3pl), from receiving and storage to picking, packing and shipping, happen under that one roof, by the same team, and you see inventory and orders in the Logiwa client portal.

That matters when you compare 3PL companies in Los Angeles. Some are networks that place stock in partner buildings. Ask any of them where your pallets will physically sit, and go and look. With us the answer is always the same building, about 40 miles up the I-5 from downtown.

If you sell on Shopify, the store connects through the Logiwa portal and orders drop in without manual uploads. For a brand looking for a Shopify 3PL in Los Angeles, that means Shopify fulfillment runs from Valencia just as it would from a building downtown.

## What should a Los Angeles fulfillment center handle?

Whoever you choose, a 3PL warehouse in Los Angeles should cover these jobs without sending you to a second vendor. Use the right-hand column on every provider you talk to, including us.

| Job | What good looks like | Question to ask |
|---|---|---|
| Receiving | Containers and trailers counted against the packing list, with shortages reported in writing | How soon will I hear about a short or damaged count? |
| Storage | Billed by the pallet or by the square foot, with the unit stated on the quote | Am I paying for pallets in the building or for a footprint? |
| Pick and pack | Priced from a sample of your real orders | What is inside the per-order rate, and what is extra? |
| Wholesale orders | Cartons and pallets built to each retailer's routing guide | Can store orders ship from the same inventory as online orders? |
| Kitting and projects | Built to a written spec, with the labor rate agreed before work starts | How is project labor billed? |
| Local delivery | Store and showroom drops by van or box truck, not only parcel | Can you deliver across LA from the same dock? |

For wholesale-heavy brands, our [B2B and wholesale fulfillment](https://www.alvylogistics.com/fulfillment/b2b-wholesale) page covers routing guides and pallet orders in more detail.

## Is Valencia too far for ecommerce fulfillment in Los Angeles?

It depends on what you ship. For ecommerce fulfillment in Los Angeles, the distance to downtown barely matters, because online orders, international parcels included, leave with the parcel carriers that pick up at our Valencia dock, not on your own van. For store replenishment and rush orders, 40 miles is a routine courier or [box truck delivery](https://www.alvylogistics.com/courier/box-truck-delivery). The one place distance costs you is the port. Containers come up 60 to 65 miles on your forwarder's or drayage carrier's truck, a longer dray than to a port-side building. That is why [container unloading and cross-docking](https://www.alvylogistics.com/warehousing/cross-docking) here suits freight headed north or inland better than a same-day transload.

## How much does a 3PL cost in Los Angeles?

Here is a worked month for a brand holding 30 pallets and shipping 500 ecommerce orders, at the rate card's starting prices:

| Line | How it is priced | Starting at |
|---|---|---|
| Storage | 30 pallets x $25 a month | $750 a month |
| Order processing | 500 orders x $5 | $2,500 a month |
| Receiving the stock | 30 pallets x $12, once | $360 |
| Pick and pack labor | From a sample of your orders | Quoted |
| Postage and freight | Carrier or courier rates | Quoted |

That is $3,250 a month before pick and pack labor and postage, plus $360 once to bring the pallets in. We price that labor from your real orders rather than an estimate, so the written quote you sign is built on how you actually ship, and business clients are invoiced. The [3PL and pallet storage pricing guide](https://www.alvylogistics.com/guides/3pl-pallet-storage-pricing) walks through the full math, including the fees worth asking about at any fulfillment warehouse in Los Angeles.

## When an LA 3PL is not a good fit

A fair answer saves both of us a wasted month.

- **Under a few hundred orders a month.** Packing in your own space is usually cheaper at that volume, and we will tell you so.
- **Same-day transloads at the port.** If containers need to be stripped within hours of discharge, a port-side operator with a short dray is the better fit.
- **Goods the building cannot take.** This is not a bonded warehouse, there is no climate-controlled storage, hazmat is not stored, and this is not an FDA-registered facility, so food and supplements are out.
- **Inventory spread across regions.** One building in north LA County is a West Coast origin, not a multi-region network. For the statewide picture, see [3PL in California](https://www.alvylogistics.com/3pl/california).

## How do you compare 3PL companies in Los Angeles?

Start with fit, then location, then price. Fit means your volume sits where the provider works well: for us, that is roughly a few hundred to several thousand orders a month, or wholesale stock that ships by the pallet. Location means matching the building to your lanes: stores and showrooms across the county, inbound containers from the ports, parcels to the rest of the West. Price means a written quote with storage, receiving, order handling and labor on separate lines, so the number does not change after you move your stock.

## What to send for a Los Angeles 3PL quote

Send your SKU count, a month of order history with units per order, how inventory arrives (parcel, pallet or container), roughly how many pallets you hold, and any packaging, insert or retailer routing guide requirements. With that, a coordinator can price fulfillment services in Los Angeles on real numbers. Call (661) 344-8766, Monday to Friday, 8am to 8pm Pacific, or [request a quote](https://www.alvylogistics.com/request-quote) and a coordinator will call you back during business hours and follow up with a written quote.

## What our Los Angeles 3PL does not take on

- Bonded storage: this is not a bonded warehouse
- Hazmat or dangerous goods
- Refrigerated or frozen goods: there is no climate-controlled storage
- Food or supplements: this is not an FDA-registered facility
- Under a few hundred orders a month, where in-house is usually cheaper

## Los Angeles 3PL questions

### Is your 3PL warehouse in Los Angeles?

It is in Los Angeles County, not the city of Los Angeles. Our one warehouse is 58,000 sq ft in Valencia, in the Santa Clarita Valley, about 40 miles by road from downtown and 60 to 65 miles from the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach. There is no second building.

### What is a fulfillment center?

A fulfillment center is a warehouse set up to ship orders, not just hold stock: inventory is received and stored, and each order is picked, packed and handed to a carrier. Our Valencia warehouse works as a fulfillment center for ecommerce orders and as a distribution warehouse for wholesale pallets going to stores.

### How much does a 3PL cost in Los Angeles?

At Alvy Logistics, a brand holding 30 pallets and shipping 500 orders a month starts at $750 in storage and $2,500 in order processing, plus $360 once to receive the 30 pallets. Pick and pack labor and postage come on top, priced from a sample of your orders on a written quote.

### Can you collect inventory from suppliers around Los Angeles?

Yes. A box truck pickup starts at $200 for the first 20 miles, with mileage past that set on your written quote, and a liftgate is added to the quote if the supplier has no dock. When the pallets reach Valencia, receiving starts at $12 per pallet.

### Can you deliver to stores and customers around Los Angeles?

Yes. Local deliveries leave the same dock by car, cargo van or 20 to 26 ft box truck, with Alvy as the carrier. On the 2026 courier rate card a run starts at $45 by car, $80 by cargo van or $200 by box truck for the first 20 miles, with mileage past that set on your quote. Downtown Los Angeles is about 40 miles away by road.

### How does port proximity affect a Los Angeles 3PL?

Containers from the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach travel 60 to 65 miles to our Valencia warehouse on a drayage carrier's truck, a longer dray than to a port-side building. For ecommerce and store orders the distance rarely matters, because parcels leave on carrier pickups at our dock. This is not a bonded warehouse, so imports must clear customs before they arrive.

### Is short-term warehousing available in Los Angeles?

Yes. Terms are not annual-only: a season, a few months or longer. Short-term space sits in the same Valencia building, priced from $25 per pallet per month, plus handling from $12 per pallet in and out, so overflow stock can become a fulfillment account without another move.

---

# Cross docking services in north Los Angeles County

URL: https://www.alvylogistics.com/warehousing/cross-docking
Type: Service
Updated: 2026-10-07

Cross docking is moving freight from an inbound truck or container straight onto outbound trucks, with little or no time in storage. Alvy Logistics provides cross docking services from a 58,000 sq ft warehouse in Valencia, California: we unload, sort and reload freight for LTL, truckload or local delivery. Handling starts at $12 per pallet in and $12 per pallet out.

- What it is: Freight reloaded outbound with little or no storage
- Containers: Container unloading, quoted per container
- Location: Valencia, on the I-5, 60 to 65 road miles from the ports

## What our cross docking services include

- Inbound receiving: Containers, trailers and box trucks unloaded and checked against the bill of lading or packing list, with shortages and damage noted on the paperwork.
- Sorting by destination: Freight split by PO, store, SKU or customer so each outbound load carries exactly what it should.
- Repalletizing and labeling: Floor-loaded cartons built onto pallets, and pallets labeled for the outbound carrier or to a retailer routing guide, with GS1-128 labels and advance ship notices where the retailer asks for them.
- Container unloading: 40 ft containers devanned, floor-loaded or palletized, then cross-docked out, stored, or split between the two.
- Outbound on the right equipment: Local box truck and final mile runs with Alvy as the carrier, a pickup by your own carrier, or LTL and truckload beyond Southern California arranged through Accurate Freight Systems LLC, the licensed property broker in our group.
- Short holds when timing slips: If an outbound truck is late, held freight waits inside the Valencia warehouse instead of on a trailer. Tell us how long, and the quote lists the storage charge.

## Cross docking and container unloading cost, starting at

From the Alvy Logistics 2026 warehouse rate card. Cross-dock handling is priced per pallet, container unloads per container.

| Service | Starting at | What changes the price |
|---|---|---|
| Pallet handling in | $12 per pallet | Counts by unit or labeling on arrival, as project labor |
| Pallet handling out | $12 per pallet | Labels for the outbound carrier or a routing guide, as project labor |
| Container unloading | Quoted per container | Container size, loose cartons or pallets, and how many SKUs to sort |
| Special project labor | $38 an hour | Repalletizing, relabeling or sorting beyond a standard unload |
| Storage if freight has to wait | $25 per pallet per month | Only when the outbound move slips; the quote lists the charge |

Container unloading and outbound LTL, truckload and courier moves are quoted per job. Drayage, chassis and container return are billed by your own drayage carrier, not by us. Ask for a written quote: you see each charge on it before the freight arrives. Rates as of 2026-10-08.

## What is cross docking?

Cross docking services move freight from an inbound truck, trailer or container onto outbound trucks with little or no time in storage. The name comes from the dock itself: goods cross from the receiving side to the shipping side instead of going into racks.

In a supply chain, cross docking is how you break a big inbound load into smaller outbound ones, or combine small inbound loads into one larger shipment, without paying to store anything in between. In trucking, a cross dock is a terminal where loads transfer between trucks. A cross dock warehouse does the same job with room to sort, repalletize and label along the way.

## When does cross docking save money?

- **Breaking a load.** A full container or truckload arrives and splits into store deliveries, LTL shipments or customer drops.
- **Consolidating.** Several supplier deliveries combine into one outbound truckload, so you pay for one long move instead of several partial ones.
- **Skipping storage.** If freight already has a buyer and a ship date, put-away and storage add cost and days without adding anything.
- **Changing equipment.** Freight on a 53 ft trailer that cannot reach a store with no dock moves onto a box truck with a liftgate.

Cross docking stops saving money when inbound and outbound timing do not line up. Then freight waits, and waiting is storage. We price that as [pallet storage](https://www.alvylogistics.com/warehousing/pallet-storage) rather than calling it a cross dock.

## How a cross dock works at our warehouse

1. **You send the details first.** Bill of lading or packing list, carton and pallet counts, and where each piece is going, by PO, store or SKU.
2. **We receive and count.** Freight is unloaded and checked against the paperwork, and any shortage or damage is written up before it moves on.
3. **We sort and build.** Freight is sorted by destination, repalletized where needed and labeled for the outbound carrier.
4. **It leaves.** On a local box truck or a [final mile delivery](https://www.alvylogistics.com/courier/final-mile-delivery) across Los Angeles County with Alvy as the carrier, on your own carrier from our dock, or as [LTL shipping](https://www.alvylogistics.com/freight/ltl-shipping) or a [full truckload](https://www.alvylogistics.com/freight/truckload) beyond Southern California, arranged through Accurate Freight Systems LLC, the licensed property broker in our group.

Turn time depends on when the outbound move is booked. Tell us the outbound date when you send the inbound details, and we plan the dock around it.

## Transloading, devanning and container unloading

Transloading means moving freight from one piece of equipment to another, usually from an ocean container onto a domestic trailer or truck, so the container can go back and the goods can carry on. Devanning is the unloading part: emptying a container, often of floor-loaded cartons, and building the freight onto pallets.

Container unloading is quoted per container, because a floor-loaded 40 ft box and a palletized one are different jobs. Floor-loaded containers come off by hand, carton by carton, and building those cartons onto pallets can add project labor from $38 an hour; palletized containers come off faster. The freight can then cross-dock out, go into storage, or split between the two.

Be clear on the location before you book. The warehouse is in Valencia, 60 to 65 miles by road from the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach. We do not provide drayage: the container arrives on your forwarder's or drayage carrier's truck, and we unload it. That suits freight heading north or inland anyway: to the Central Valley, Northern California, the high desert, or customers across north Los Angeles County. It does not suit a port-side transload where the goal is to strip a container within sight of the terminal and return it the same day. For that, a building next to the port is the better answer, and we would rather tell you now.

Freight still moving in bond cannot come here either. Clear customs first, because this is not a bonded warehouse.

## Cross docking vs transloading vs storage

| | Cross docking | Transloading | Storage |
|---|---|---|---|
| What moves | Inbound trucks to outbound trucks | Ocean container to a domestic trailer or truck | Freight into racks or floor positions |
| Time in the building | Little or none | Little or none | Weeks, months or longer |
| Typical use | Breaking or consolidating loads | Ocean freight changing to road equipment | Inventory waiting for orders |
| Starting at | $12 per pallet in, $12 out | Unload quoted per container, then $12 per pallet out | $25 per pallet per month |

## What to send for a cross-dock quote

For the inbound side, send the equipment (40 ft container, 53 ft trailer or box truck), whether it is floor-loaded or palletized, carton and pallet counts, and the commodity. For the outbound side, send the destinations, the dates and how each load should leave. With that, a coordinator can price the handling, any project labor and the outbound freight in one quote. Phone (661) 344-8766 on weekdays from 8am to 8pm Pacific, or send the details through [request a quote](https://www.alvylogistics.com/request-quote) and get a written quote before the freight moves.

Cross-docking runs alongside our other [warehousing services in Valencia](https://www.alvylogistics.com/warehousing).

## What our cross dock does not handle

- Bonded storage: this is not a bonded warehouse
- Port-side transloads that need a container stripped next to the terminal
- Hazmat or dangerous goods
- Refrigerated or frozen goods: there is no climate-controlled storage
- Food or supplements: this is not an FDA-registered facility

## Cross docking questions

### What is cross docking?

Cross docking is a warehouse process where freight is unloaded from inbound trucks or containers and loaded straight onto outbound trucks, with little or no time in storage. It is used to break large loads into smaller shipments, or to combine small shipments into one load, without paying to store anything in between.

### What is the difference between transloading and cross-docking?

Transloading moves freight from one type of equipment to another, usually from an ocean container onto a domestic trailer. Cross-docking moves freight from inbound trucks to outbound trucks, often sorting and splitting it by destination on the way. Many loads get both: a container is transloaded, then its freight is cross-docked to several destinations.

### How much does it cost to cross dock?

At Alvy Logistics cross-dock handling starts at $12 per pallet in and $12 per pallet out, so receiving and reloading 20 pallets starts at $480. Container unloading is quoted per container, and repalletizing or relabeling starts at $38 an hour. Outbound freight is quoted per job, all on one written quote.

### What is a cross dock warehouse?

A cross dock warehouse is a building set up to transfer freight between trucks rather than store it. It needs dock space for inbound and outbound loads, floor space to sort and stage, and people to count, repalletize and label. Our Valencia warehouse does cross-docking alongside storage, so freight can do either.

### Can you unload containers from the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach?

Yes, once they reach us. Alvy Logistics does not provide drayage: your forwarder or drayage carrier brings the container 60 to 65 miles from the ports to Valencia, and we unload it, quoted per container. If it has to be stripped next to the terminal and returned the same day, a port-side building is the better fit.

### What companies use cross-docking?

Retailers and brands splitting inbound containers or trailers across stores, distributors combining pallets from several suppliers into one outbound load, and manufacturers moving parts between sites without storing them. A typical case is one inbound load broken into many local deliveries, finished by box truck or courier.

### Is this a bonded warehouse?

No. Alvy Logistics is not a bonded warehouse, so imported freight must clear customs before it comes to us. In-bond containers that still need to clear cannot be unloaded or cross-docked here.

---

# Final mile delivery for businesses in Southern California

URL: https://www.alvylogistics.com/courier/final-mile-delivery
Type: Service
Updated: 2026-10-08

Final mile delivery, also called last mile delivery, is the last leg of a shipment: from a warehouse, store or carrier terminal to the place it will be used. Alvy Logistics runs final mile delivery for retailers, brands, 3PLs and forwarders across Los Angeles and Southern California, on demand or on scheduled routes, starting at $45 by car for the first 20 miles.

- Who books it: Retailers, brands, distributors, 3PLs and forwarders
- Vehicles: Car, cargo van or 20 to 26 ft box truck
- Starting at: $45 by car for the first 20 miles; routes quoted per stop or per route

## What our final mile delivery service covers

- On-demand final mile runs: A single delivery picked up and dropped the same day, priced at the vehicle base rate plus mileage.
- Scheduled routes: Recurring daily or weekly deliveries on a fixed day and window, quoted per stop or per route.
- Dedicated courier service: A driver and a van or box truck booked for your work for a day or a set number of hours, quoted for the block.
- Retail and store replenishment: Stock moved from a warehouse or distribution center to stores, showrooms and pop-ups inside their receiving windows.
- Partner final mile: Southern California deliveries for forwarders, 3PLs and courier networks, run to your reference numbers, with photo proof of delivery and a portal that can connect to your TMS.
- Hold before delivery: Freight received and held at our Valencia warehouse, then released to a route when the receiver is ready.

## Final mile delivery cost, starting at

Starting rates from the Alvy Logistics 2026 courier rate card. Single runs are priced at a vehicle base rate that covers the first 20 trip miles, plus mileage. Recurring work is quoted per stop or per route.

| Final mile option | Starting at | What changes the price |
|---|---|---|
| On-demand run by car | $45 for the first 20 miles | Mileage after 20 miles is quoted; any waiting or extra stops the run needs are added |
| On-demand run by cargo van | $80 for the first 20 miles | Mileage after 20 miles is quoted; extra stops or heavy pieces are added when the job has them |
| On-demand run by 20 to 26 ft box truck | $200 for the first 20 miles | Mileage after 20 miles is quoted; a liftgate, pallet jack or second person is added if the receiver needs one |
| Scheduled or routed delivery | Quoted per stop or per route | Number of stops, distance, vehicle, delivery windows and how often the route runs |
| Dedicated driver and vehicle | Quoted for a day or set hours | Vehicle size, hours booked, the area covered and how often you need the block |

After the first 20 miles, mileage can start as low as $1.20 a mile, depending on the vehicle and the route, and it is set on your written quote. Extras such as waiting time, added stops, attempted deliveries, holding freight, a second person and after-hours or weekend timing are added only when the job needs them and listed on the quote. Tolls pass through at cost and a fuel surcharge may apply. For an exact price, request a quote or call (661) 344-8766. Rates as of 2026-10-08.

## What is final mile delivery?

Final mile delivery is the last leg of a shipment's trip: from the warehouse, store, distribution center or carrier terminal where it last stopped to the place it will actually be used. That might be a store shelf, a job site, an office or a customer's door. Final mile and last mile name the same leg.

It is the shortest part of the trip and usually the most expensive per mile. One load now has to reach many separate addresses, each with its own dock, parking and receiving hours.

## How does our last mile delivery service work?

A final mile delivery with Alvy Logistics runs in four steps:

1. **Pickup or release.** A driver collects from your warehouse, store, dock or terminal, or we release stock already held at our Valencia warehouse.
2. **Vehicle and route.** Each load goes in the smallest vehicle that fits: a car, a cargo van or a 20 to 26 ft box truck with a liftgate or pallet jack when the receiver needs one. Recurring deliveries are grouped into routes.
3. **Delivery.** The driver follows the receiving instructions you send: dock appointments, store hours, gate codes and a named contact.
4. **Tracking and follow-up.** You book each order in our online shipper portal and follow it there: the driver's live location, onsite updates, and pickup and delivery updates with photos, which give you proof of delivery to pass on to your own customer. If a delivery runs into a problem, call a coordinator during business hours.

## Routed, scheduled or dedicated: which final mile option fits?

| Option | How it runs | Best for | How it is priced |
|---|---|---|---|
| On demand | One delivery, picked up and dropped the same day | One-offs, urgent restocks, overflow | Vehicle base rate plus mileage |
| Scheduled | The same run on a fixed day and window | Weekly store replenishment, daily supplier pickups | Quoted per stop or per route |
| Routed delivery | Several stops share one driver and vehicle in a planned sequence | Batches of deliveries to stores, trade customers or job sites | Quoted per stop or per route |
| Dedicated driver and vehicle | A driver and vehicle booked for your work for a day or set hours | Programs that benefit from one driver who knows each receiver's dock and hours | Quoted for the day or the hours booked |

Routing is where final mile gets cheaper. On demand, one delivery carries the whole cost of the driver and vehicle; on a route, every stop shares it. For urgent one-off runs, see our [same-day courier service](https://www.alvylogistics.com/courier/same-day).

## Dedicated courier service: a driver and vehicle for a day or set hours

A dedicated courier service, also called a dedicated delivery service, books one driver and one vehicle for your work alone, for a full day or a set block of hours. You pick the vehicle: a cargo van, a Sprinter-size high-roof van or a 20 to 26 ft [box truck](https://www.alvylogistics.com/courier/box-truck-delivery). The driver runs your stops in the order you set and stays on your work between loads, so there is no rebooking for each run. It suits store openings, a heavy week of replenishment, a product launch, or a route that changes too much from day to day to price per stop. Blocks are quoted by vehicle, hours and area, booked once or on a standing schedule.

## Retail and B2B last mile delivery

Most of our final mile work is business to business. **Retail last mile delivery** means moving stock from a warehouse or distribution center to stores, showrooms and pop-ups, often before opening or inside a set receiving window, where a missed slot can push the stock to the next day. **B2B last mile delivery** covers distributors delivering to trade accounts, manufacturers moving parts to job sites, and brands delivering to wholesale customers.

For furniture, fixtures and anything that has to be carried in, placed and unpacked, [white glove delivery](https://www.alvylogistics.com/courier/white-glove-delivery) adds inside delivery and debris removal, from $160 for a local delivery by cargo van. Retailers planning a wider program across storage, fulfillment and delivery can start with [retail logistics](https://www.alvylogistics.com/industries/retail-logistics).

## A Southern California final mile partner for forwarders, 3PLs and courier networks

A lot of final mile work starts with another logistics company. A freight forwarder has a shipment that needs to reach a consignee in the San Fernando Valley. A 3PL in another state has a retailer's order bound for stores in Orange County. A courier network has a delivery in Los Angeles and no driver there. Alvy started out as exactly this kind of partner, running expedited deliveries for air freight forwarders, and from 2023 ran a residential parcel delivery route in Ventura County, so routed, stop-by-stop work is familiar ground.

For those partners we act as the local carrier for the last leg. Alvy Logistics picks up from your terminal, dock or cross-dock in Southern California and delivers to your instructions and reference numbers. If you run your own TMS, our online shipper portal can usually be connected to it, so your team follows our leg alongside the rest of the shipment; tell us which system you use when you ask for a quote. Freight that needs to be broken down and re-sorted first can go through [cross-docking](https://www.alvylogistics.com/warehousing/cross-docking) at our Valencia warehouse. Freight that arrives before the receiver is ready is held at our Valencia warehouse and delivered on the right day, with the hold quoted up front. Coverage runs from Fresno and the Central Valley through Ventura, Los Angeles and Orange counties, the Inland Empire and San Diego County.

## What happens if a delivery cannot be completed?

If a receiver is closed, refuses the delivery or is not ready, the driver records it in our online shipper portal with photos, and a coordinator contacts you during business hours. The freight is then redelivered on a new window, returned to the sender, or brought back to our Valencia warehouse and held until you release it, as you choose. An attempted delivery is billed only when it happens and is listed on your quote, so accurate receiving details are the cheapest fix.

## What does last mile delivery cost, and how do retailers manage it?

Per mile, final mile is the costliest leg of most shipments, for reasons that are easy to see on a route sheet:

- A driver and vehicle are committed to a few separate addresses instead of one long haul.
- Traffic and parking take time between stops.
- Receivers keep windows. A late receiver means paid waiting time, and a closed one means an attempted delivery charge, both billed only when they happen.
- Heavy or bulky pieces need a liftgate, a pallet jack or a second person.

The controls follow from that: group deliveries into routes, send the smallest vehicle that fits, give accurate receiving details so the first attempt succeeds, and move recurring work off one-off bookings and onto a scheduled route. The [Los Angeles courier cost guide](https://www.alvylogistics.com/guides/courier-cost-los-angeles) explains what moves the price.

## Which last mile delivery companies fit B2B work?

Last mile delivery companies fall into a few groups: national parcel carriers built for small packages, app-based platforms suited to single consumer drops, white glove specialists, and regional business couriers. Alvy Logistics is in the last group: a motor carrier (USDOT 3443448, MC-1341979) with a 58,000 sq ft warehouse in Valencia on the I-5, vetted independent-contractor drivers with cars, cargo vans and box trucks, and published starting rates. We fit best when deliveries are B2B, local to Southern California, and either recurring or too big for a parcel network.

## How to choose a final mile delivery partner

Ask four things of any final mile carrier. Who hauls the freight, and under which USDOT number? Can you see the driver's location and photo proof of delivery without phoning anyone? Does the vehicle range run from a car to a box truck with a liftgate, so each load goes in the right size? And are the rates written down before the first run? Our answers: USDOT 3443448, live tracking with photos in our online shipper portal, cars through 20 to 26 ft box trucks, and published starting rates from $45.

## What to send for a final mile quote

Send the pickup points, the delivery addresses or areas, what is moving (pieces, weight, pallets), how often it moves, the delivery windows and any receiving requirements such as dock appointments or a liftgate. A single run can be priced while you are on the phone; routes are priced per stop or per route once we see the pattern, and dedicated blocks by the day or the hours. Business clients are invoiced. Start with a [quote request](https://www.alvylogistics.com/request-quote), or call (661) 344-8766.

## What final mile delivery does not cover

- Household goods or residential moves
- Hazmat freight, or goods that need refrigeration in transit
- Single consumer orders booked by individuals rather than a business
- Same-day final mile outside our Fresno to San Diego courier area (longer lanes move as freight)

## Final mile delivery questions

### What is final mile delivery?

Final mile delivery is the last leg of a shipment, from the warehouse, store, distribution center or carrier terminal where it last stopped to the place it will be used, such as a store, job site, office or customer. It is usually the shortest part of the trip and the most expensive per mile.

### Is final mile delivery the same as last mile delivery?

Yes. Both terms mean the last leg to the receiver. Final mile turns up more often in freight and heavy or bulky goods, and last mile more often in parcel and ecommerce delivery, but buyers use them interchangeably and we quote both the same way.

### What is a final mile carrier?

A final mile carrier is the company that physically runs the last leg. In freight it often receives a shipment from a line-haul carrier, forwarder or 3PL at a terminal or dock and delivers it to the consignee. Alvy Logistics (USDOT 3443448, MC-1341979) does this as the carrier for the last leg in Southern California.

### How long does last mile delivery take?

It depends on how it is booked. An on-demand final mile run is booked for pickup and delivery the same day. Deliveries on a scheduled route go out on that route's set day and window, which is usually the most cost-effective option for recurring volume.

### Why is final mile delivery so expensive?

Because a driver and vehicle are committed to a handful of separate addresses instead of one long haul. Traffic, parking, receiving windows, missed deliveries and heavy items all add time. Grouping deliveries into routes and sending the smallest vehicle that fits are the two biggest ways to bring the cost down.

### Can forwarders, 3PLs and courier networks use you for the last leg?

Yes. We pick up from your terminal, dock or cross-dock in Southern California, deliver to your instructions and reference numbers, and you can book and follow each order in our online shipper portal, with the driver's live location and delivery photos, or connect your own TMS to it. Tell us the volume, the delivery areas and the windows, and a coordinator will price it per run or per route.

### How much does final mile delivery cost in Los Angeles?

A single on-demand final mile run starts at $45 by car, $80 by cargo van or $200 by 20 to 26 ft box truck for the first 20 miles, plus mileage. Scheduled and routed deliveries are quoted per stop or per route, which lowers the cost of each delivery as the route fills. Extras are listed on your written quote.

---

# Courier services in Fresno and the Central Valley

URL: https://www.alvylogistics.com/courier/fresno
Type: Service area
Updated: 2026-10-08

Alvy Logistics provides courier services in Fresno and across the Central Valley for businesses. Independent-contractor drivers based in the Valley take local runs in Fresno, Clovis, Visalia, Tulare, Hanford and Bakersfield, each priced on its trip miles: a car starts at $45 for up to 20 miles, with mileage past that set on your quote. Runs over the Grapevine to Los Angeles use the same 2026 rate card.

- Serving: Fresno, Clovis, Visalia, Tulare, Hanford and Bakersfield
- Drivers: Valley-based independent contractors
- Starting at: $45 by car, first 20 trip miles included

- The 99, from Wheeler Ridge up the Valley: The 99 leaves the I-5 at Wheeler Ridge, at the foot of the Grapevine, and runs north through Bakersfield, Delano, Tulare and Fresno toward Sacramento. It carries most runs between Valley cities: Bakersfield to Fresno is about 110 miles by road, and Fresno to Visalia about 44, with the last few miles on the 198.
- Inside Fresno and Clovis: The 180 crosses Fresno east to west and meets both the 99 and the 41, and the 168 heads northeast to Clovis. Clovis to downtown Fresno is about 10 miles by road and Fresno Yosemite International Airport (FAT) about 6, so runs like these stay inside the base rate.
- Over the Grapevine to Los Angeles: Runs between the Valley and Los Angeles cross the mountains on the I-5 over Tejon Pass, the stretch drivers call the Grapevine. By road, our Valencia address is about 77 miles from Bakersfield and 185 from Fresno; downtown Los Angeles is about 112 and 220.
- Fog season and winter closures: Tule fog season on the Valley floor runs from November to March. When visibility on the 99 drops below about 500 feet, the CHP may pace traffic through at reduced speed, and snow or ice can close the Grapevine for hours. In those months the coordinator sets the delivery window with both in mind.

## Fresno and Central Valley courier services we run

- Local runs across the Valley: Same-day pickups and drops inside Fresno and Clovis, or between Valley cities, priced on the miles from pickup to delivery.
- Standing routes: Runs between branches, yards, labs and offices on set days and windows, quoted once you send the stops and the schedule.
- Parts and paperwork for ag businesses: Replacement parts, tools and documents for growers, packing houses, processors and equipment dealers, by car or cargo van.
- Lab, clinic and pharmacy runs: Sealed specimens, pharmacy orders and supplies between labs, clinics and pharmacies in Fresno, Clovis and Visalia, carried exactly as packed.
- Valley to Los Angeles: Runs over the Grapevine between the Valley and Los Angeles County, including stock released from the Valencia warehouse.
- Pallets to docks along the 99: Box trucks are available with Valley-based drivers for pallet and bulky deliveries to distribution centers and dealers; a liftgate is added where there is no dock.

## Fresno and Central Valley courier rates, starting at

These are 2026 Alvy Logistics courier starting-at rates, applied in the Valley as they are in Los Angeles. The base rate pays for the first 20 trip miles between pickup and delivery and is the minimum charge for a run. The example stays inside those 20 miles, so it is the base alone, before extras.

| Vehicle | Starting at | Clovis to downtown Fresno on the 168 (about 10 miles) |
|---|---|---|
| Car (documents, small parts, specimens) | $45 for the first 20 trip miles | $45 |
| Cargo van (cartons, parts, equipment) | $80 for the first 20 trip miles | $80 |
| 20 to 26 ft box truck (pallets, equipment, bulky freight) | $200 for the first 20 trip miles | $200 |

There is no charge to bring a driver to you: our drivers are based in the Valley. Many runs inside Fresno and Clovis stay within the 20 miles the base covers. After the first 20 miles, mileage can start as low as $1.20 a mile, depending on the vehicle and the route, and it is set on your written quote. Tolls pass through at cost and a fuel surcharge may apply. Extras such as wait time, added stops, a liftgate, night or weekend work are added only when the job needs them and listed on your written quote, so ask for one before you book. Rates as of 2026-10-08.

## Courier services in Fresno, run by drivers based in the Valley

Alvy Logistics provides courier services in Fresno and the rest of the Central Valley for businesses. Independent-contractor drivers based in the Valley take the local runs, so a Clovis pickup starts in the Valley rather than at the far end of the Grapevine. Alvy itself is based in Valencia, north of Los Angeles, where its one warehouse stands; there is no Fresno office or counter. Every run is booked and paid for by a business.

## What courier services can a Fresno business book?

- **Same-day delivery** inside Fresno and Clovis, or between Valley cities, booked for today. Our [same-day courier runs](https://www.alvylogistics.com/courier/same-day) page explains how dispatch works.
- **Scheduled routes** on set days and windows, such as a daily branch run or a weekly parts loop, quoted from your stops and schedule.
- **Medical runs**, STAT or scheduled, for labs, clinics and pharmacies, under the packing and handling rules on our [medical courier](https://www.alvylogistics.com/courier/medical) page. If your process calls for it, the Valley driver signs your custody form or delivery receipt at handoff, as the driver.
- **Box truck deliveries** of pallets and bulky freight to docks along the 99, with a liftgate where there is no dock. Box trucks are available with our Valley-based drivers; details are on the [box truck delivery](https://www.alvylogistics.com/courier/box-truck-delivery) page.
- **Runs to and from Los Angeles County**, including stock released from the Valencia warehouse.

## What does a Central Valley courier carry?

Farming drives the Valley economy. By 2024 crop value, Fresno County (a record $9.03 billion), Tulare County and Kern County were the three largest farm counties in California. The businesses around them create steady courier work: a replacement part for a packing line, a controller for an irrigation system, signed contracts between a grower and a buyer, documents for an equipment dealer or a lender. The crop itself, and anything that has to stay cold, is outside what we take.

Warehouses and distribution centers cluster along the 99, notably in the south Fresno industrial area around Jensen Avenue. For them the job is usually a cargo van of urgent cartons, or a box truck of pallets to a dock with a receiving appointment.

## Do you offer courier service in Bakersfield?

Yes. Bakersfield sits where the Valley meets the mountains: the 99 runs through the city, the I-5 passes to the west, and the 58 climbs east over Tehachapi Pass. It is the nearest of the large Valley cities to Los Angeles, about 77 miles from our Valencia address and about 112 from downtown.

A run north to Visalia, about 75 to 80 miles on the 99 depending on the route, is the base rate plus the miles past 20.

## Do you cover Visalia, Tulare and Hanford?

Yes. Visalia, the Tulare County seat, sits on the 198 a few miles east of the 99, and Tulare is on the 99 just south of it. Visalia to Tulare is under 20 miles by either main road, so it pays the base rate. Hanford, the Kings County seat, is about 21 miles west of Visalia on the 198, right at the edge of what the base covers, so the exact addresses decide whether the run stays at the base or adds a mile or two.

## How much do courier services in Fresno cost?

Rates start at $45 by car, $80 by cargo van and $200 by box truck. The base rate includes 20 miles, counted from pickup to delivery, and mileage past 20 miles is set on your written quote. The Valley examples below show which runs stay at the base rate and which add mileage, before any extras.

| Run | Road miles | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Clovis to downtown Fresno, on the 168 | 10 miles | Base rate only |
| Fresno to Visalia | 44 miles | Base rate plus mileage |
| Valencia warehouse to Bakersfield | 77 miles | Base rate plus mileage |
| Valencia warehouse to Fresno | 185 miles | Base rate plus mileage |

Each distance is a routed road distance between city centers, or from our Valencia address; quotes are worked out from the actual pickup and delivery addresses. There is no charge to bring a driver to you, long runs have no separate long-distance band, tolls pass through at cost and a fuel surcharge may apply. Wait time, extra stops, a liftgate, a second person and night or weekend work are added only when the job needs them, and your written quote lists each one before the run is booked. The [courier cost guide](https://www.alvylogistics.com/guides/courier-cost-los-angeles) explains how a quote is built.

## Can a courier run from Fresno to Los Angeles the same day?

Yes. From Fresno the route is the 99 south to Wheeler Ridge, then the I-5 over Tejon Pass and down into the Santa Clarita Valley. Downtown Los Angeles is about 220 miles away, and from Bakersfield it is about 112 miles. Both runs are priced as the base rate plus mileage, set on your written quote from the actual route.

In winter, fog on the Valley floor and snow at the pass both slow these runs, which is why the delivery window is agreed at booking, not promised in advance.

## How do I book a courier in Fresno?

Send both addresses, the number of pieces and their weight, the time window and how the site receives: a dock, a front office or a gate with a check-in. Valley accounts book and track runs in our online shipper portal, where the driver's position shows on the map whether the run stays in Fresno or heads down the 99, with onsite check-ins and photos at pickup and drop-off, and business clients are invoiced. Central Valley shippers and 3PLs that already run a TMS can usually tie it into the portal. For a written quote or to open an account, use the [quote request](https://www.alvylogistics.com/request-quote) form or phone (661) 344-8766 (weekdays, 8am to 8pm Pacific).

## What our Central Valley courier service does not cover

- Food or supplements: this is not an FDA-registered facility
- Fresh produce or anything that must stay cold on the road: vehicles are ambient and there is no cold storage
- Agricultural chemicals, fuel or other hazardous materials, Category A infectious substances or controlled substances
- Household goods or residential moves
- Counter drop-offs: there is no Alvy office in the Valley, only drivers based there and one warehouse in Valencia

## Fresno courier service questions

### What is the average cost of a courier in Fresno?

There is no flat average: the vehicle and the trip miles set the price. A run of 20 miles or less, such as Clovis to downtown Fresno at about 10, costs the base alone: $45 by car, $80 by cargo van, $200 by box truck. A longer run, such as Fresno to Visalia at about 44 miles, adds mileage past 20 miles to the base, set on your written quote.

### What medical couriers are available in Fresno?

Alvy Logistics offers STAT runs and scheduled pickups for labs, clinics, pharmacies and physician groups in Fresno, Clovis and Visalia. The shipper packs and marks each package (UN3373 triple packaging for Category B specimens), the driver carries it sealed in an ambient vehicle, and a specimen that must stay cool travels in insulated packaging the shipper provides. Category A substances and controlled substances are not carried.

### Are your Fresno drivers local, or do runs come from Los Angeles?

The Valley's local runs are taken by independent-contractor drivers based there, rather than by a driver sent up from Los Angeles. Alvy has no Valley office: you order by phone or through our online shipper portal, and the only Alvy facility is the Valencia warehouse, where runs carrying its stock begin.

### What is the transit time for a courier from Fresno to Los Angeles?

Downtown Los Angeles is about 220 miles from Fresno by the 99 and the I-5, which routing tools put at three and a half to four hours of driving with light traffic. Fog on the 99 or a closure on the Grapevine can add time, so the coordinator agrees the delivery window with you before the run goes out.

### Do you carry produce or food for Valley growers?

No. We carry the parts, tools and paperwork that farms, packing houses and processors need, not the crop, and no agricultural chemicals. Courier vehicles are ambient, with no cold storage, so anything that has to stay cold needs a carrier with cooling equipment.

### How can a Fresno business keep courier costs down?

Send the smallest vehicle that fits the load: at the base rate a car is $45 and a cargo van $80. Then group drops that repeat. An added stop costs less than a separate run, so one driver covering several Valley stops in a trip often costs less than booking each one alone. Stops are listed on your written quote, and a standing route can be quoted per stop or per route.

---

# Kitting and assembly services from Valencia, California

URL: https://www.alvylogistics.com/fulfillment/kitting-assembly
Type: Service
Updated: 2026-10-07

Kitting and assembly services combine separate items into one unit ready to sell or ship, such as a bundle, a gift set or a retail display pack. Alvy Logistics receives your components in Valencia, California, builds kits to your written spec, stocks them as their own SKU and ships them as orders arrive. Kit labor is quoted per job; relabeling and other project work starts at $38 an hour.

- Who books it: Ecommerce brands, wholesalers, agencies and crowdfunded launches
- How it is priced: Kit labor quoted per job from your spec; special projects $38 an hour
- Where: One 58,000 sq ft ambient warehouse in Valencia, CA

## What our kitting services cover

- Bundles and multipacks: Two or more SKUs combined into one sellable unit with its own SKU, so each bundle leaves as a single pick.
- Gift sets and PR kits: Products, inserts and printed cards assembled into a presentation box ahead of a launch or a holiday.
- Retail-ready packs: Prepacks and display-ready cases built to the retailer's written spec, then shipped by the carton or pallet.
- Crowdfunding rewards: Each reward tier built as its own kit, then shipped to the final backer file once addresses are locked.
- Inserts and literature: Cards, samples or instructions added to product already in stock, before or as orders ship.
- Relabeling and rework: Barcodes, stickers and outer cartons corrected, and mixed pallets rebuilt by SKU, at $38 an hour.

## Kitting and assembly pricing, starting at

Kit labor depends on how many components go into each kit and how they are presented, so it is quoted per job once we see your kit spec. Everything around the build comes from the Alvy Logistics 2026 warehouse rate card.

| Service | Starting at | What changes the price |
|---|---|---|
| Special projects and relabeling | $38 an hour | Units to touch, label changes, carton or pallet rework |
| Receiving components | $12 per pallet | Loose cartons or mixed-SKU pallets that need sorting before the build |
| Container unloading | Quoted per container | Container size, sorting components by SKU after the unload |
| Storage | $25 per pallet per month | Pallets of components and finished kits on hand, seasonal peaks |
| Order processing for finished kits | $5 per order | Kits and inserts per order; kit labor is quoted with the build |

Postage for finished kits is charged on top, by carrier and service. Ask for a written quote: it lists the kit labor and each rate above before the first build. Rates as of 2026-10-08.

## What is kitting and assembly?

Kitting and assembly services take separate items and turn them into one unit that is ready to sell or ship. A shampoo and a conditioner become one bundle. A three-step skincare routine becomes a gift set. A retailer's display case arrives filled and labeled instead of as loose cartons. In a warehouse, kitting means building that unit once, giving it its own SKU, and picking it as a single item when the order comes in.

The difference from plain [pick and pack](https://www.alvylogistics.com/fulfillment/pick-and-pack) is timing. With pick and pack, each order is assembled from stock the moment it drops. With kitting, the assembly happens ahead of the order, in a batch, so busy weeks run faster and every kit looks the same.

## What is kitting in a warehouse?

Kitting in a warehouse means building sets from separate SKUs so each finished kit can be stored and picked as one unit. Built ahead of orders, a kit gets its own SKU and the pick becomes one item instead of several; built as each order ships, the components are picked and packed together at the packing station. Running kitting and fulfillment services in the same building avoids a second move: components arrive in Valencia, kits are built and stocked, and orders ship from the same dock. Manufacturers kitting parts for a line should also read [manufacturing logistics](https://www.alvylogistics.com/industries/manufacturing-logistics).

## What are custom kitting services?

Alvy Logistics builds kits in the same Valencia warehouse where the components are received and where the finished kits are stored and shipped. Typical custom kitting services and product kitting services include:

- **Bundles and multipacks.** Two or more SKUs sold together and packed the way your spec says.
- **Gift sets and holiday packs.** Built ahead of the season, so the rush ships finished units. Beauty brands use this for sets and travel minis: see [beauty and cosmetics fulfillment](https://www.alvylogistics.com/fulfillment/beauty-cosmetics).
- **Marketing, PR and influencer kits.** Product, printed pieces and a note, sent to a list of recipients. See [marketing fulfillment services](https://www.alvylogistics.com/fulfillment/marketing-merch-kits).
- **Retail-ready packs.** Prepacks and display-ready cases built to a retailer's spec, then shipped by the carton or pallet through [B2B and wholesale fulfillment](https://www.alvylogistics.com/fulfillment/b2b-wholesale).
- **Inserts and literature.** Cards, samples or instructions added to product you already stock.

Assembly here means putting finished goods together into a pack. It does not mean manufacturing: work that needs tools, testing or a production line is outside what the building does.

## What is the product kitting process?

1. **You send a kit spec.** Components and quantities per kit, packing order, inserts, and a photo or a finished sample.
2. **Components arrive.** By parcel, pallet or container. They are counted against your packing list, and shortages are reported before the build starts, because one missing component stops a whole run. Components with lot numbers or expiry dates are tracked by lot and used oldest date first.
3. **You approve the first kit.** The first kit is built and checked against your spec, and you get photos of it to approve before the batch starts.
4. **The batch is built and counted.** Finished kits go into stock as their own SKU and show in the Logiwa client portal.
5. **Kits ship as orders arrive.** By parcel to customers, or by carton and pallet to stores.

Kits that differ on every order, such as a pick-your-own bundle, are built on demand and quoted as pick and pack. Either way the components and the finished kits sit in one stock pool, so nothing moves between a kitting vendor and a fulfillment vendor.

## Subscription boxes

A subscription box is a kit built on a calendar: fixed contents each cycle, built in one batch and shipped to a subscriber list that changes every time. How a cycle runs, what it costs and what to send for a quote are covered on [subscription box fulfillment](https://www.alvylogistics.com/fulfillment/subscription-box).

## Crowdfunding fulfillment

A crowdfunding campaign ends with a production run, a spreadsheet of backers and several reward tiers, often for a creator who has never shipped thousands of orders in one go. Crowdfunding fulfillment turns that into shipments: we receive the production run, build each reward tier as a kit, and ship to the backer file once addresses are final.

Tell us the tiers and what is in each, the number of backers per tier, when goods arrive and whether they come by container. If your run ships direct from the factory by container, container unloading is quoted with the job. Backers outside the US ship by international parcel from the same dock, so send the country list with your quote request and postage is priced for each destination. After the campaign ships, the same inventory can keep fulfilling store orders and late pledges.

## Relabeling services, rework and special projects

Not every project is a kit. Relabeling services fix inventory that arrived wrong or needs to change: new barcodes over old ones, a retailer's sticker, a price tag removed, a carton relabeled for a new buyer. Rework covers re-boxing damaged outer cartons, breaking down mixed pallets and rebuilding them by SKU. These jobs are billed as special project labor at $38 an hour, and the quote estimates the hours before work starts.

## How much do kitting services cost?

Kit labor is quoted per job because no two kits take the same time. What moves the price:

- **Components per kit.** A two-item bundle is quick. A box with eight items, tissue and a card is not.
- **Presentation.** Folding, tissue, ribbon and placement to a photo all take time.
- **Run size.** Setup and the first-kit check are spread across every kit in the run, so larger runs tend to cost less per kit.
- **Inbound condition.** Components that arrive counted, labeled and palletized by SKU go straight to the build.

Around the build, the rate card applies. Say your components arrive on four pallets and sit in storage for a month: receiving is 4 × $12 = $48 and storage is 4 × $25 = $100. If 500 finished kits then ship as 500 single-kit orders, order processing adds 500 × $5 = $2,500. Kit labor and postage come on top of those figures. For the full cost picture, see the [3PL and pallet storage pricing guide](https://www.alvylogistics.com/guides/3pl-pallet-storage-pricing), then send your kit spec for a written quote that prices the build and every charge around it.

## Who can I outsource kitting to?

A kitting partner makes sense when you lack the space or hands for a build, or when the same kit ships every week. Our kitting fits brands shipping a few hundred to several thousand orders a month, wholesalers building retail packs, and agencies and creators with a launch. If your ongoing volume is under a few hundred orders a month and you have room to build kits yourself, in-house is usually cheaper, and we will tell you that before you move any stock.

## What our kitting and assembly services do not cover

- Food or supplements: this is not an FDA-registered facility
- Hazardous materials, beyond limited-quantity consumer goods accepted after safety data sheet review
- Products that need cool storage: there is no climate-controlled storage
- Manufacturing assembly that needs tools, testing or a production line

## Kitting and assembly questions

### What is kitting?

Kitting is gathering separate items and packaging them together as one unit with its own SKU, such as a bundle, gift set or subscription box. In a warehouse, kits are usually built ahead of demand, so when an order arrives the picker pulls one finished kit instead of several loose items.

### What is kitting in manufacturing?

In manufacturing, kitting means grouping the parts needed for one assembly job and delivering them to the line together, so workers do not hunt for parts. Warehouse kitting applies the same idea to finished goods that ship to customers or stores, which is the kitting Alvy Logistics does.

### What is a kitting fee?

A kitting fee is the labor charge for assembling kits: collecting the components, putting them together, and packing or labeling the finished unit. Providers charge it per kit, per component or by the hour. At Alvy Logistics kit labor is quoted per job from your written spec, so the price reflects the kit you actually build.

### What do you need from me to quote kitting?

A kit spec listing the components and quantities in each kit, the packing order, any inserts or printed cards, and a photo or sample of a finished kit. Add how many kits you need and by when, and how the components will arrive: parcel, pallet or container.

### Can you fulfill crowdfunding rewards?

Yes, as kitting plus parcel shipping. Send the reward tiers and what is in each, the backer count per tier, when production arrives and the countries on your backer list. We receive the goods, build each tier as a kit and ship to the final backer file, including backers abroad by international parcel.

### What is the difference between kitting and bundling?

Bundling is selling items together under one listing or price; kitting is the physical work of putting them into one package. A bundle can be kitted ahead of time and stocked as its own SKU, or picked as separate items and packed together when the order ships.

### What is kitting in logistics?

In logistics, kitting is gathering separate items into one ready-to-ship or ready-to-use unit before it is needed: a bundle for an online store, a gift set for retail, or a set of parts for a production line. It saves picking time later, because the kit is picked as one item.

---

# LTL shipping from Los Angeles

URL: https://www.alvylogistics.com/freight/ltl-shipping
Type: Service
Updated: 2026-10-08

LTL shipping (less than truckload) moves one to six pallets on a shared trailer, so you pay for the weight and space your freight takes instead of a whole truck. LTL lanes leaving Southern California are arranged through Accurate Freight Systems LLC, the licensed property broker in our group, and quoted per shipment. Inside the region, Alvy Logistics hauls pallets itself by box truck, from $200.

- Typical LTL: One to six pallets, about 150 to 15,000 lbs
- Leaving SoCal: Arranged through Accurate Freight Systems LLC, MC-572734
- Staying local: Box truck from $200 for the first 20 miles

## What LTL shipping with Alvy Logistics includes

- Freight class worked out with you: Density calculated from your real weights and dimensions before the quote, which cuts the risk of a reweigh or reclass charge later.
- Accessorials priced up front: Liftgate, appointment, residential, limited-access and inside delivery go on the quote when you declare them.
- LTL lanes out of Southern California: Booked with an authorized LTL motor carrier by Accurate Freight Systems LLC, acting as broker for the shipment.
- A box truck when it stays local: Pallets that start and end in Southern California can skip the LTL terminals and go direct on a 20 to 26 ft box truck.
- Consolidation in Valencia: Pallets from several suppliers received at the Valencia warehouse, held until the order is complete, then shipped as one.
- A coordinator to call: Questions about class, accessorials or the lane go to a coordinator, Monday to Friday, 8am to 8pm Pacific.

## LTL shipping rates from Los Angeles, starting at

LTL leaving Southern California depends on the lane, the weight, the freight class and the accessorials, so each shipment is quoted on its own. Freight that stays in the region starts from the published box truck rate.

| Freight | Starting at | What changes the price |
|---|---|---|
| LTL leaving Southern California, through Accurate Freight Systems LLC | Quoted per shipment | Lane, weight, freight class, dimensions, liftgate, appointments, residential or limited-access delivery |
| Local pallets by box truck instead of LTL | From $200 for the first 20 miles | Mileage after 20 miles is quoted; a liftgate, pallet jack or heavy freight is added when the job needs it and listed on your quote |
| Consolidating at the Valencia warehouse | From $12 per pallet in or out | Storage from $25 per pallet per month while pallets wait for the rest of the order |

Local and warehouse prices are starting-at figures. After the first 20 miles, mileage can start as low as $1.20 a mile, depending on the vehicle and the route, and it is set on your written quote. Extras are added only when the job needs them and are listed on your quote, and a fuel surcharge may apply. LTL lane prices are set per shipment, so send the details for a written quote before you book. Rates as of 2026-10-08.

## What is LTL shipping?

LTL shipping, short for less than truckload, is how palletized freight moves when it is too big for a parcel carrier and too small to fill a trailer. Your pallets ride with other shippers' freight, and you pay for the weight and space they take rather than for the whole truck. NMFTA, which publishes the freight classification LTL carriers use, describes one to six pallets as LTL, and carriers generally put LTL shipments at about 150 to 15,000 lbs.

The trade-off is handling. An LTL carrier collects your pallets, sorts them at a terminal onto a linehaul trailer, unloads them again at a terminal near the destination, and sends them out on a local delivery truck. Every transfer is another forklift move, so LTL freight has to be square, stretch-wrapped and clearly labeled.

LTL freight shipping fits when the shipment:

- weighs 150 lbs or more (lighter freight usually goes as parcel)
- is six pallets or fewer and does not need a truck to itself
- can spend a few business days in transit

Past six pallets, compare volume LTL with [truckload shipping](https://www.alvylogistics.com/freight/truckload) before you book.

## How does LTL freight shipping from Los Angeles work?

Which company handles your LTL depends on where it is going, and you can ask which one is handling any shipment.

**Leaving Southern California.** LTL to the Bay Area, Sacramento, Phoenix, Las Vegas or elsewhere in the West is arranged through Accurate Freight Systems LLC, the licensed property broker in our group (MC-572734); see [freight brokerage services](https://www.alvylogistics.com/freight/brokerage). It books an authorized LTL motor carrier, whose terminals and trucks move the freight. For that shipment, the broker is Accurate Freight Systems LLC.

**Staying inside Southern California.** Pallets that start and end in Los Angeles, Orange County or the Inland Empire rarely need LTL. Alvy Logistics hauls them as the motor carrier, on a 20 to 26 ft box truck that runs straight from pickup to delivery. [Pallet shipping](https://www.alvylogistics.com/freight/pallet-shipping) has the local prices and route examples.

## Should you ship parcel or LTL?

Parcel networks are built for cartons that one person can lift, shipped one at a time. Once a shipment is several cartons that can be stacked and wrapped on a pallet, and weighs more than about 150 lbs in total, LTL is usually cheaper per pound and the cartons arrive together instead of in separate deliveries. Inside Southern California, a box truck from $200 for the first 20 miles can be quicker still, because it goes straight to the receiver with no terminal stop.

## How do you calculate LTL freight rates?

LTL shipping rates are built from the same inputs on every lane:

| Rate factor | What it is | What you can do about it |
|---|---|---|
| Lane | Origin and destination ZIP codes | Give exact addresses, and say if the pickup date is flexible |
| Weight | Total shipment weight, pallets included | Weigh it rather than estimate |
| Freight class | The NMFC class, from 50 to 500 | Build dense, square pallets with no wasted space |
| Accessorials | Liftgate, appointment, residential, limited access, inside delivery | Ship dock to dock where you can |
| Fuel | A surcharge that follows fuel prices | Nothing, but it should be on the quote |

LTL carriers inspect what you declare. When a pallet is reweighed or remeasured at a terminal and comes out heavier or less dense than the bill of lading says, the carrier reissues the charge at the corrected weight or class. Accurate numbers at quote time are the cheapest saving in LTL.

## How is freight class set for LTL?

Freight class comes from the National Motor Freight Classification (NMFC), published by NMFTA, which gives each commodity a class from 50 to 500 based on density, handling, stowability and liability. Lower classes cost less per pound. Since NMFTA's Docket 2025-1 took effect on July 19, 2025, many more items are classed by density alone, on a 13-step scale that runs from class 400 (under 1 lb per cubic foot) to class 50 (50 lbs per cubic foot or more).

Density is worked out per handling unit, pallet included: multiply the length, width and height at their widest points in inches, divide by 1,728 to get cubic feet, then divide the weight by that figure. A worked example:

- A 48 by 40 inch pallet built to 48 inches tall is 92,160 cubic inches, or 53.3 cubic feet.
- At 500 lbs, that is about 9.4 lbs per cubic foot, which is class 100 on the current scale (8 to under 10).
- Pack 700 lbs into the same footprint and density rises to about 13.1, which is class 85 (12 to under 15).

Some commodities still carry their own NMFC item and class, so check yours. The [freight class guide](https://www.alvylogistics.com/guides/freight-class) has the full density chart.

## Which LTL delivery accessorials change a quote?

Accessorials are services on top of the linehaul rate. The common ones for LTL delivery:

- **Liftgate**, at pickup or delivery, when there is no dock or forklift, which is common at small industrial units around Los Angeles.
- **Residential delivery**, for any address that is not a business with receiving.
- **Limited access**, for sites that are hard to reach or have security checks, such as schools, construction sites, self-storage, military bases and gated facilities.
- **Delivery appointment**, or a call ahead before the truck arrives.
- **Inside delivery**, when the pallet has to go past the dock or the front door.

Declare them when you ask for the quote. An accessorial the driver discovers at the door is added to the bill afterwards.

## When do volume LTL and freight consolidation make sense?

Freight consolidation means combining smaller shipments into one larger one, so they move on one bill instead of several separate LTL charges. Alvy Logistics runs a 58,000 sq ft warehouse in Valencia, on the I-5 in the Santa Clarita Valley. Pallets from several suppliers can be received there (handling from $12 per pallet), held in the warehouse until the order is complete (storage from $25 per pallet per month) and released together for the outbound lane. Freight that only needs a quick transfer between trucks can be [cross-docked](https://www.alvylogistics.com/warehousing/cross-docking).

Above six pallets, or more than about 12 linear feet of trailer, standard LTL is no longer the obvious choice. Ask for a volume LTL quote and compare it with partial and full truckload. The [LTL vs FTL guide](https://www.alvylogistics.com/guides/ltl-vs-ftl) shows where each one wins.

## What do I need for an LTL freight quote?

1. Pickup and delivery addresses with ZIP codes, and whether each end is a business with a dock.
2. The pallet count, with the length, width, height and weight of each, pallet included.
3. What the freight is, plus the NMFC item or class if you already know it.
4. Any liftgate, appointment or inside delivery, and whether either end is residential or limited access.
5. The ready date and any delivery deadline.

With those in hand, [request an LTL freight quote](https://www.alvylogistics.com/request-quote) or phone a coordinator during business hours.

Every freight option we run from Los Angeles, from one pallet to a full trailer, is on our [freight shipping](https://www.alvylogistics.com/freight) page.

## What LTL shipping with us does not cover

- Hazardous materials or dangerous goods on any LTL lane
- Refrigerated, frozen or other temperature-sensitive LTL
- Household goods or residential moves
- Instant online LTL pricing: each LTL freight quote is built for the shipment

## LTL shipping questions

### What does LTL stand for?

LTL stands for less than truckload. It describes freight that needs only part of a trailer, usually one to six pallets, so it rides with other shippers' freight and is priced on its weight, freight class, lane and accessorials rather than on the whole truck.

### How much does LTL shipping cost?

There is no flat LTL price per pallet. The rate comes from the lane, the weight, the freight class, accessorials such as a liftgate or an appointment, and a fuel surcharge, so each LTL shipment is quoted on its own. For freight that stays in Southern California, a box truck run starts at $200, which covers the first 20 miles.

### How long does LTL delivery take?

Longer than a truck of your own, because the freight crosses terminal docks. Some short regional lanes deliver the next business day; long lanes take several business days. Transit is given in business days for each lane, and it is an estimate, not a promise.

### Is LTL or a box truck better for freight inside Southern California?

Usually a box truck. It drives directly to the receiver, skipping terminal handling, and can often go the same day when the freight is ready, from $200 for the first 20 miles. LTL earns its place when the freight leaves the region on a long lane.

### Who handles LTL that leaves Southern California?

Accurate Freight Systems LLC (USDOT 2237130, MC-572734), the licensed property broker in our group, arranges it with an authorized LTL motor carrier, and that carrier hauls the freight. Alvy Logistics, the motor carrier in the group, hauls local pallets inside Southern California. You can always ask which company is handling a shipment.

### What happens if an LTL carrier reweighs my shipment?

The carrier corrects the bill. If a pallet weighs more than declared, or its measured density puts it in a higher class than the bill of lading shows, the charge is reissued at the corrected weight or class. Weighing and measuring every pallet before you ask for a quote is the best protection.

---

# A California 3PL and West Coast fulfillment center

URL: https://www.alvylogistics.com/3pl/california
Type: Service
Updated: 2026-10-07

Alvy Logistics is a 3PL in California with one 58,000 sq ft warehouse in Valencia, on the I-5 in north Los Angeles County. Ground carriers reach most of the West in 1 to 2 days from there, which makes it a practical West Coast fulfillment center for California brands and for East Coast brands adding a western node. Storage starts at $25 per pallet per month.

- Warehouse: One building in Valencia, serving California and the West
- Ground transit: 1 to 2 days to most of the West
- Starting at: $25 per pallet per month

- North on the I-5 to the Central Valley: The I-5 is the main north-south Interstate on the West Coast. Northbound from Valencia it crosses Tejon Pass and drops down the Grapevine into the Central Valley, about 77 road miles to Bakersfield, then runs on through Sacramento to the Oregon line.
- East on the 14, west on the 126: The 14 leaves the I-5 at the Newhall Pass and heads northeast to the Antelope Valley and the high desert. The 126 starts at the I-5 at Castaic Junction, about 3 miles from the dock, and runs west through the Santa Clara River Valley to Ventura.
- Between the ports and the northbound lanes: The ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, together the busiest container port complex in the country, are 60 to 65 miles south by road. Containers come up on your forwarder's or drayage carrier's truck, and imports bound north on the I-5 pass the Santa Clarita Valley on the way.
- Lower parcel zones for western customers: Ground carriers reach most of the West in 1 to 2 days from Valencia. Parcel zones grow with distance from the shipping ZIP code, so a customer in Oregon or Arizona sits in a lower zone from 91355 than from a building in the East.

## What our California 3PL service includes

- Inbound containers and transfers: Containers your forwarder or drayage carrier delivers, trailers from your other warehouses and supplier pallets, counted against the packing list and put away.
- Ambient, dry storage on flexible terms: Racked or floor-stacked, per pallet or as dedicated floor space, with lot and expiry tracking that ships the oldest date first, for a season, a few months or years.
- Orders for customers across the West: Picked, packed to your spec and handed to parcel carriers at our Valencia dock, reaching most of the West in 1 to 2 days by ground. International parcels and returns are handled here too.
- Wholesale and retail distribution: Retail and distributor orders shipped as cartons or full pallets, built to each buyer's routing guide with GS1-128 labels, advance ship notices and EDI.
- Freight in and out of the region: Transfers and outbound loads on your own carrier, or LTL and truckload beyond Southern California arranged through Accurate Freight Systems LLC, the licensed property broker in our group.
- One client portal: Inventory and orders for your western stock visible in the Logiwa client portal, which connects to your store and sales channels, for example Shopify.

## California 3PL pricing, starting at

Rates from the 2026 Alvy Logistics warehouse rate card. Pick and pack labor is priced once we have seen a sample of your orders.

| Service | Starting at | What changes the price |
|---|---|---|
| Pallet storage | $25 per pallet per month | Pallet count and the months each pallet stays |
| Dedicated floor space | $2.50 per sq ft per month | Square feet held, billed monthly for the agreed term |
| Pallet handling in and out | $12 per pallet each way | Replenishment volume; counts by unit are project labor from $38 an hour |
| Container unloading | Quoted per container | Floor-loaded or palletized, container size and SKU count |
| Order processing | $5 per order | Order volume; pick and pack labor is quoted separately |

Special project labor starts at $38 an hour. Kitting, container unloading and freight are quoted per job, and postage is not included in these rates. Ask for a written quote built on your own orders. Rates as of 2026-10-08.

## A California 3PL warehouse on the I-5

Alvy Logistics is a California 3PL with a single warehouse: 58,000 sq ft of ambient, dry space in Valencia, in north Los Angeles County. We are not a network of California fulfillment warehouses. Every client's inventory sits in that one building, where all of our [3PL services](https://www.alvylogistics.com/3pl) run, and from there it ships to customers across the state and the West. If your buyers and stores are mostly around Los Angeles, our [Los Angeles 3PL](https://www.alvylogistics.com/3pl/los-angeles) page covers local delivery and the drive times into the city.

## Why use a 3PL in California?

Three reasons come up in almost every conversation:

- **Your goods already arrive here.** The ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach together are the busiest container port complex in the United States. Holding stock in Southern California turns the inbound leg into a 60 to 65 mile trip instead of a cross-country one.
- **Your customers are here.** California is the most populous state in the country, and the rest of the West is a short ground run away.
- **You do not want to run a warehouse.** A lease, racking, staff and a warehouse system are a large fixed cost. A 3PL turns that into storage and handling you pay for as you use it. Our guide on [3PL vs renting warehouse space](https://www.alvylogistics.com/guides/3pl-vs-renting-warehouse-space) runs the comparison.

## How do you choose the best 3PL warehouse location?

Start with a map of your orders, not a map of warehouses. Plot a few months of order destinations and look at where the weight sits. If most of it is in California and the neighboring Western states, a fulfillment center in California keeps those orders in the lower parcel zones.

Then look at the inbound side. If your goods come through the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, a building on the I-5 is on the way north. If they come by truck from suppliers in the Central Valley or Northern California, the I-5 brings them straight down to Valencia. Last, decide whether you need one node or several. For most brands shipping a few hundred to several thousand orders a month, one well-placed California 3PL warehouse is simpler to run than inventory split thin across three.

## A West Coast 3PL and fulfillment center for brands based in the East

Brands that already ship from an East Coast warehouse often add a West Coast 3PL as a second node. Western customers wait longer and pay more in zone charges when every parcel crosses the country. With a share of fast-moving stock in Valencia, West Coast orders ship from the West.

The work on our side is receiving your replenishment, storing it and running [ecommerce fulfillment](https://www.alvylogistics.com/fulfillment) for western orders. Transfers can arrive on your own carrier, or move as [LTL shipping](https://www.alvylogistics.com/freight/ltl-shipping) for smaller lots and a [full truckload](https://www.alvylogistics.com/freight/truckload) once volume builds, arranged through Accurate Freight Systems LLC, the licensed property broker in our group, and quoted per job. Inventory and orders for the western stock sit in the Logiwa client portal, so you can check what is on hand without calling anyone.

## How onboarding works

1. **Quote.** You send your SKU count, order history with destinations, how stock arrives and any packaging or routing guide requirements. We price storage, handling and [pick and pack](https://www.alvylogistics.com/fulfillment/pick-and-pack) from your real orders.
2. **Setup.** Your SKUs are set up in Logiwa and your store connected, for example Shopify, before the first delivery, so received stock shows in the client portal and orders flow straight in.
3. **First inbound.** We receive your first containers or pallets, count them against the packing list and report any shortage or damage.
4. **Go live.** Southern California fulfillment starts from Valencia, and orders for the rest of California and the West ship from the same dock.

## Before you move inventory into California

A few things are worth sorting out before stock arrives, and none of them are ours to decide for you. Imports must clear customs before they ship to us, because this is not a bonded warehouse. The California Department of Tax and Fee Administration treats an out-of-state seller that stores inventory in a California fulfillment center as engaged in business in the state, which means registering and paying sales or use tax on sales to California customers, so check with your accountant. If a product needs a Proposition 65 warning, that is the brand's responsibility: OEHHA's regulations place it on the manufacturer, producer, packager, importer, supplier or distributor.

The building has its own limits as well. There is no climate-controlled storage, hazmat is not accepted, and food and supplements cannot be stored because this is not an FDA-registered facility.

## Comparing 3PL companies in California

Among 3PL companies in California, we fit brands and distributors shipping a few hundred to several thousand orders a month, or wholesale volume by the pallet. Below a few hundred orders, packing in-house usually costs less. Send your SKU count, a breakdown of orders by state and how the stock will arrive, then call (661) 344-8766 between 8am and 8pm Pacific, Monday to Friday, or [request a quote](https://www.alvylogistics.com/request-quote) for a callback from a coordinator during business hours and a written quote with every charge on its own line.

## What our California 3PL does not take on

- Bonded storage: this is not a bonded warehouse
- Hazmat or dangerous goods
- Refrigerated or frozen goods: there is no climate-controlled storage
- Food or supplements: this is not an FDA-registered facility
- Inventory that needs several regional warehouses at once

## California 3PL questions

### Why use a 3PL in California?

The ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach are the busiest container port complex in the United States, and California is the most populous state. A California 3PL keeps stock close to where imports land and where many customers live, without you leasing and staffing a warehouse.

### Do you have warehouses elsewhere in California?

No. There is one warehouse, 58,000 sq ft in Valencia, on the I-5 in north Los Angeles County. We serve Northern California, the Central Valley and the rest of the West from that building through ground carriers, rather than splitting your stock across sites.

### How fast can you ship across the West?

Ground carriers reach most of the West in 1 to 2 days from Valencia. Exact transit depends on the destination ZIP code and the carrier service you choose, so we confirm it against your own order destinations when we quote.

### Can an East Coast brand use you as a West Coast 3PL?

Yes. You keep your eastern warehouse, send a share of fast-moving stock to Valencia by LTL or truckload, and western orders ship from here. Each transfer is received from $12 per pallet and stored from $25 per pallet per month.

### How much does a California 3PL cost?

At Alvy Logistics, a western node holding 40 pallets and shipping 1,000 orders a month starts at $1,000 in storage and $5,000 in order processing, plus $480 once to receive the 40 pallets. Dedicated floor space starts at $2.50 per sq ft per month, and pick and pack labor is quoted from your orders on a written quote.

### How do you reduce costs with regional warehousing?

Put stock close to the customers who buy it. Ground parcel rates rise with zone, so western orders shipped from a western building usually cost less and arrive sooner than the same orders sent across the country. The trade-off is splitting inventory, which works best for your fastest-selling SKUs.

---

# B2B and wholesale fulfillment services

URL: https://www.alvylogistics.com/fulfillment/b2b-wholesale
Type: Service
Updated: 2026-10-08

B2B fulfillment services store inventory and ship orders to other businesses, such as retailers, distributors and boutiques, usually by the carton or pallet and to the buyer's rules. Alvy Logistics runs B2B and wholesale fulfillment from one Valencia, California warehouse, from the same stock as your ecommerce orders. Pallets start at $12 in and $12 out, and order processing at $5 per order.

- Who books it: Brands, wholesalers and distributors selling to stores
- Order types: Full pallets, mixed pallets, cartons and parcels
- Starting at: $12 per pallet in and out, $5 per order processing

## What our B2B fulfillment services include

- Carton and pallet picking: Wholesale orders picked as full pallets, as full cartons, or by the unit for small mixed boutique orders.
- Retailer compliance: Orders built to each retailer's routing guide, with GS1-128 carton labels from purchase order data and advance ship notices.
- Pallet builds: Cartons built onto pallets by SKU or by store, ready for the carrier and the delivery appointment.
- EDI with your retailers: Purchase orders received and advance ship notices sent back by EDI for the retail trading partners that require it.
- Freight out: Local pallet runs in Southern California by box truck; LTL and truckload beyond it arranged through Accurate Freight Systems LLC, the licensed property broker in our group.
- One pool of stock: Wholesale and ecommerce orders ship from the same inventory, visible in the Logiwa client portal.

## B2B fulfillment pricing, starting at

Pallet handling, storage and order processing come from the Alvy Logistics 2026 warehouse rate card. Case and unit picking for wholesale orders is quoted per job after we see sample orders and your routing guides.

| Service | Starting at | What changes the price |
|---|---|---|
| Receiving by the pallet | $12 per pallet | Single-SKU or mixed pallets, unit counts, labeling |
| Outbound by the pallet | $12 per pallet | Pallets built from cartons of several SKUs, labels per pallet |
| Order processing | $5 per order | Cartons per order, labels per carton, packing lists |
| Storage | $25 per pallet per month | Pallets on hand; dedicated floor space runs $2.50 per sq ft per month |
| Container unloading | Quoted per container | Container size, cartons that need breaking out by SKU and purchase order |
| Special projects | $38 an hour | Relabeling, retailer stickers, carton or pallet rework |

Local box truck runs in Southern California follow the courier rate card, from $200 for the first 20 miles, on Alvy's carrier authority. LTL and truckload beyond the region are quoted per job through Accurate Freight Systems LLC. Cartons that go by parcel add postage for the service chosen. Ask for a written quote: every line is on it before you sign. Rates as of 2026-10-08.

## What is B2B fulfillment?

B2B fulfillment services cover the warehouse work behind orders that go to another business instead of a shopper. A boutique reorders four cartons. A regional chain sends a purchase order for twelve pallets split across three distribution centers. A distributor needs a mixed pallet shipped to its own customer without your name on it. Each order is bigger than an ecommerce parcel, and each comes with rules: how cartons are labeled, which documents travel with the freight, and when the truck may arrive.

Wholesale fulfillment, retail fulfillment and retail distribution services describe the same job from different sides. Retail fulfillment usually means keeping stores stocked: opening orders and replenishment shipped to a retailer's stores or distribution centers, on the retailer's terms. A B2B 3PL like Alvy Logistics stores the inventory, picks it by the carton or pallet, labels and documents it for the buyer and gets it on the right truck.

## How B2B differs from B2C fulfillment

| | B2C (ecommerce) | B2B (wholesale and retail) |
|---|---|---|
| Who receives it | An individual shopper | A store, distribution center or distributor |
| Order size | One to a few units | Cartons to full pallets |
| Picked by | The unit | The unit, carton or pallet |
| Labeling | A carrier label | Carton and pallet labels to the buyer's spec |
| Shipping | Parcel | Parcel, LTL or truckload, often by appointment |
| Paperwork | Packing slip | Packing list, bill of lading, ship notices |

Plenty of brands sell both ways. With us, wholesale and ecommerce orders come out of the same stock in one Valencia building, and both show in the Logiwa client portal.

## Retail fulfillment: what is retail compliance?

Retail compliance means shipping the way each retailer's rules require. Most large retailers publish those rules as a routing guide, sometimes called a vendor compliance manual. It sets carton sizes and weights, label placement, what goes on the packing list, how pallets are built, how to request a delivery appointment and which carriers to use. When a shipment breaks a rule, the retailer charges a fee, called a chargeback, and deducts it from what it pays you.

We ship to each retailer's routing guide. That covers serialized GS1-128 carton labels built from purchase order data, advance ship notices, pallet builds to the retailer's spec and EDI with the trading partners that require it. Send each guide with your quote request and we go through it with you before the first order, so the choices that are yours to make (carton counts, label data, carriers the retailer names) are settled up front and a chargeback is not how you find out.

## Wholesale fulfillment: case pick, pallet pick and mixed orders

Wholesale orders come in three shapes, and each takes a different amount of handling:

- **Full pallet.** A pallet of one SKU leaves the way it arrived. The simplest order to handle, at $12 per pallet out.
- **Case pick.** Full cartons of several SKUs, picked and built onto a pallet or shipped as cartons.
- **Mixed or unit pick.** Boutique orders often mix sizes and colors in small quantities, which is closer to ecommerce picking. Clothing wholesale usually works this way: see [apparel fulfillment](https://www.alvylogistics.com/fulfillment/apparel).

Retailers that want prepacks or display-ready cases need them built before the order ships. That is kitting work, covered on [kitting and assembly](https://www.alvylogistics.com/fulfillment/kitting-assembly).

## EDI fulfillment: what does EDI mean in logistics?

EDI (electronic data interchange) is how large retailers send purchase orders, and expect advance ship notices back, as structured data instead of email. In the X12 standard most US retailers use, those are the 850 and the 856. EDI fulfillment means the warehouse works straight from those documents: the purchase order comes in, the order is picked and labeled to the routing guide, and the advance ship notice goes back when the shipment leaves Valencia. We handle EDI for retail trading partners that require it, so with a 3PL that has EDI in place, nobody rekeys orders or ship notices by hand. Tell us your trading partners when you request a quote, so each connection is set up during onboarding.

## Getting wholesale orders to the buyer

Cartons can ship by parcel. Inside Southern California, pallets can go by box truck with a liftgate as [pallet shipping](https://www.alvylogistics.com/freight/pallet-shipping), hauled on Alvy's own carrier authority. [LTL](https://www.alvylogistics.com/freight/ltl-shipping) and truckload to retailers beyond Southern California are arranged through Accurate Freight Systems LLC, the licensed property broker in our group, and quoted per job. Valencia sits on the I-5 north of Los Angeles, and ground carriers reach most of the West in one to two days. Distribution centers receive by appointment, so pickups are scheduled around the delivery window on the purchase order.

A worked example from the rate cards: two pallets to a store in downtown Los Angeles, about 40 miles from Valencia, start at $24 in outbound handling (2 pallets at $12), $5 in order processing and $200 for the box truck's first 20 miles. After the first 20 miles, mileage can start as low as $1.20 a mile, depending on the vehicle and the route, and it is set on your written quote. A liftgate or any wait time is added only when the job needs it and listed on the same quote.

## What to look for in a B2B 3PL

A B2B 3PL should build cartons and pallets to each retailer's routing guide, print GS1-128 labels, send advance ship notices and handle 3PL EDI, and ship wholesale and ecommerce orders from one inventory so stock is never split. Ask how it books freight for retailer appointments too: here, local deliveries go by Alvy box truck and longer lanes by LTL or truckload through Accurate Freight Systems LLC, the licensed property broker in our group. Retailer returns come back through our [reverse logistics services](https://www.alvylogistics.com/fulfillment/reverse-logistics), and pallet handling starts at $12 in and $12 out.

## What we need to quote B2B fulfillment

- Your list of retail buyers and their routing guides
- A sample month of wholesale orders: cartons, pallets and units per order
- Your SKU count, and whether stock arrives by parcel, pallet or container
- Your EDI trading partners and the documents each one expects
- Your ecommerce volume, if the same stock serves both

The fit is wholesale volume that moves by the pallet, often alongside a few hundred to several thousand ecommerce orders a month. For store deliveries and replenishment, see [retail logistics](https://www.alvylogistics.com/industries/retail-logistics). Send the list through the quote form or call (661) 344-8766, and you get a written quote that names every charge.

## What our B2B fulfillment does not cover

- Food or supplements: this is not an FDA-registered facility
- Hazardous materials, beyond limited-quantity consumer goods accepted after safety data sheet review
- Bonded storage: this is not a bonded warehouse
- Refrigerated or frozen goods: there is no cold storage

## B2B fulfillment questions

### What is B2B fulfillment?

B2B fulfillment is storing inventory and shipping orders to other businesses rather than to consumers: retailers, distributors, boutiques and corporate buyers. Orders are usually larger, ship by the carton or pallet, and must follow the buyer's rules for labels, paperwork and delivery appointments.

### What is the difference between B2B and B2C fulfillment?

B2C orders are small parcels to individual shoppers, picked by the unit. B2B orders go to a business, often by the carton or pallet, with labels and paperwork set by the buyer and delivery booked by appointment at a dock. Many brands need both, from the same stock.

### What is a routing guide?

A routing guide is a retailer's rulebook for vendors: how to label cartons and pallets, which documents travel with a shipment, how to book delivery appointments and which carriers to use. Breaking a rule can lead to a chargeback, a fee deducted from what the retailer pays you.

### Do you handle EDI and advance ship notices for retailers?

Yes. For retail trading partners that require EDI, purchase orders come in as EDI and advance ship notices go back the same way, with GS1-128 carton labels built from the purchase order data. Send us your list of trading partners and their routing guides with your quote request.

### Can wholesale and ecommerce orders ship from the same inventory?

Yes. Both draw from one stock pool in our Valencia warehouse, so you do not split inventory between two providers. Ecommerce orders ship as parcels, wholesale orders ship by the carton or pallet, and both are visible in the Logiwa client portal.

### How do wholesale pallets reach retailers outside Southern California?

LTL and truckload to retailers beyond Southern California are arranged through Accurate Freight Systems LLC (MC-572734), the licensed property broker in our group, with an authorized motor carrier. Inside Southern California, Alvy Logistics hauls pallets by box truck on its own carrier authority. Your quote names which company handles each shipment.

---

# Pallet storage in north Los Angeles County, from $25 a month

URL: https://www.alvylogistics.com/warehousing/pallet-storage
Type: Service
Updated: 2026-10-07

Pallet storage at Alvy Logistics starts at $25 per pallet per month, plus $12 per pallet to receive it and $12 per pallet to ship it out. Pallets are stored racked or floor-stacked in a 58,000 sq ft ambient warehouse in Valencia, in north Los Angeles County. If you would rather hold a fixed footprint, dedicated floor space starts at $2.50 per sq ft per month.

- Storage: From $25 per pallet per month
- Handling: From $12 per pallet in, $12 per pallet out
- Warehouse: 58,000 sq ft in Valencia, 1,000 pallet positions, ambient and dry

## What our pallet storage includes

- Pallets in racking: For mixed SKUs and for product that cannot take weight on top of it.
- Floor-stacked storage: For uniform, stackable product moving in volume, where paying for racking would add nothing.
- Receiving and put-away: Pallets checked against your packing list when they arrive, then put away in racking or on the floor.
- Pallet releases: Pallets released to your carrier at our dock, sent across the county by box truck with Alvy as the carrier, or moved LTL beyond Southern California through Accurate Freight Systems LLC, the licensed property broker in our group.
- Inventory visibility: Pallets on hand visible in the Logiwa client portal, with lot and expiry tracking that ships the oldest date first.
- Dedicated space if you outgrow pallets: A footprint held for you from $2.50 per sq ft per month, for when a fixed area suits you better than a pallet count.

## Pallet storage rates, starting at

The Alvy Logistics 2026 warehouse rate card. Storage is billed monthly; handling is charged once per pallet each way.

| Service | Starting at | What changes the price |
|---|---|---|
| Pallet storage | $25 per pallet per month | Send pallet dimensions and weights; the quote confirms the rate |
| Inbound handling | $12 per pallet | Labeling or counting units on arrival: from $38 an hour |
| Outbound handling | $12 per pallet | Building pallets to a routing guide, from $38 an hour |
| Dedicated floor space | $2.50 per sq ft per month | Size of the footprint you hold for the agreed term |
| Container unloading | Quoted per container | Container size, and whether stock arrives loose or on pallets |

Special project labor, such as relabeling or rework, starts at $38 an hour. Ask for a written quote: it shows each charge that applies to your pallets on its own line before you sign. Rates as of 2026-10-08.

## What does pallet storage cost?

Pallet storage at Alvy Logistics starts at $25 per pallet per month. Handling starts at $12 per pallet when it comes in and $12 per pallet when it goes out, charged once each way, not every month. These are starting rates. Send pallet dimensions, heights and weights with your request so your written quote confirms the rate for your pallets.

Here is what that looks like for common requests, starting at the rate card:

| Request | Storage | Handling in and out | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 pallets for 1 month | $250 | $240 | $490 |
| 10 pallets for 6 months | $1,500 | $240 | $1,740 |
| 50 pallets for 3 months | $3,750 | $1,200 | $4,950 |

The longer pallets stay, the less the one-time handling matters. For stock that sits for months, storage is almost all of the cost. For stock that turns every few weeks, handling becomes a bigger share, and that is worth knowing before you compare pallet storage rates between warehouses.

## What is pallet storage for business inventory?

Pallet storage is warehouse space sold by the pallet position instead of by the square foot. You pay for each pallet in the building each month, and the warehouse handles receiving, put-away and release. It suits business inventory storage where the product already travels on pallets: retail and ecommerce stock, general merchandise, packaging and print, apparel, beauty and personal care products, and packaged medical supplies such as disposables and empty specimen kits, all in ambient, dry conditions. Drugs, investigational product and controlled substances are not stored.

## How do you calculate warehouse storage cost per pallet?

Use this formula for any warehouse, including ours:

1. **Storage:** pallets x monthly rate x months.
2. **Handling:** pallets x (inbound fee + outbound fee).
3. **Extras:** anything your pallets need along the way, such as relabeling or a container unload.

With our starting rates, 20 pallets for four months is 20 x $25 x 4 = $2,000 in storage, plus 20 x $24 = $480 in handling, for $2,480. Special project labor such as relabeling starts at $38 an hour, and if the stock arrives in a container, unloading is quoted per container.

## Is it cheaper to pay per pallet or per square foot?

A standard 48 x 40 inch pallet covers about 13.3 sq ft of floor. At $2.50 per sq ft per month, that footprint alone costs about $33, already more than a pallet position from $25. And dedicated space also needs aisles and staging room, so the area you hold is always larger than the pallets on it.

That is why pallet storage is usually the cheaper way to store a pallet count, and especially one that goes up and down. Dedicated space makes sense when you want a fixed area held for you, when product floor-stacks two or more high so each square foot carries more than one pallet, or when your team needs room to work around its own stock. For space that only needs to last a season, see [short-term warehouse storage](https://www.alvylogistics.com/warehousing/short-term-storage).

## What are the hidden storage fees?

Most surprises on a storage invoice come from charges nobody mentioned at the start. Ask any warehouse for these in writing before you send a pallet:

- Receiving and outbound handling, per pallet or per carton
- Account setup or onboarding fees
- Minimum monthly charges
- Long-term storage surcharges for slow stock
- Inventory counts, labeling and rework
- Container unloading if your stock arrives floor-loaded

On our quote, each charge that applies to your pallets is its own line, so you can compare it line by line with any other warehouse. The [3PL and pallet storage pricing guide](https://www.alvylogistics.com/guides/3pl-pallet-storage-pricing) explains how these fees add up across providers.

## Pallet storage near Los Angeles

The warehouse is in Valencia, on the I-5 in north Los Angeles County, about 40 miles by road from downtown and 60 to 65 from the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach. For businesses in Santa Clarita and the San Fernando Valley, it is close enough to drop by. When pallets need to leave, your own carrier can collect them at our dock, a local box truck run with Alvy as the carrier can take them anywhere in the county, and [pallet shipping](https://www.alvylogistics.com/freight/pallet-shipping) covers LTL beyond Southern California, arranged through Accurate Freight Systems LLC, the licensed property broker in our group.

For everything the building does beyond storage, see [warehousing services](https://www.alvylogistics.com/warehousing) and our [Los Angeles 3PL](https://www.alvylogistics.com/3pl/los-angeles) page. If you are weighing pallet storage against leasing a building of your own, read [3PL vs renting warehouse space](https://www.alvylogistics.com/guides/3pl-vs-renting-warehouse-space) first. To get a price, send the pallet count, pallet dimensions and weight, what the product is, and how long it will stay. Call (661) 344-8766, Monday to Friday, 8am to 8pm Pacific, or [request a quote](https://www.alvylogistics.com/request-quote) and get a written quote with every charge on its own line.

## What our pallet storage is not for

- Bonded storage: this is not a bonded warehouse
- Hazmat or dangerous goods
- Refrigerated or frozen goods: there is no climate-controlled storage
- Food or supplements: this is not an FDA-registered facility
- Household goods or residential moves

## Pallet storage questions

### How much does pallet storage cost?

At Alvy Logistics pallet storage starts at $25 per pallet per month, plus $12 per pallet when it arrives and $12 per pallet when it leaves. Ten pallets stored for three months comes to $750 in storage and $240 in handling, $990 in all. Send pallet dimensions and weights so the written quote confirms the rate for your pallets.

### How do you calculate storage cost per pallet?

Multiply the number of pallets by the monthly rate and the number of months, then add the handling charge for each pallet in and out. With our starting rates that is pallets x $25 x months, plus pallets x $24. If you hold a fixed footprint instead, multiply the square feet by $2.50 per month.

### How much is pallet storage per week?

We price pallet storage by the month, from $25 per pallet, which works out to about $6 per pallet per week. If you only need a few weeks, send the dates with your request and the quote will show how that period is billed.

### What are the hidden storage fees?

The usual ones are receiving and outbound handling, account setup, minimum monthly charges, inventory counts, labeling and long-term storage surcharges. Ask any warehouse to list them in writing. On our quote, handling ($12 per pallet each way), container unloads and project labor are listed as separate lines before you sign.

### Do I need an annual contract for pallet storage?

No. Pallets are billed monthly while they are in the building, business clients are invoiced, and terms are not annual-only, so a season, a few months or several years all work. Give us your expected dates and the quote is written around them.

### Is there pallet storage near me in Los Angeles?

Our warehouse is in Valencia, on the I-5 in north Los Angeles County, about 40 miles by road from downtown Los Angeles. It is a short drive for businesses in Santa Clarita and the San Fernando Valley, and pallets can go anywhere in the county by box truck, from $200 for the first 20 miles.

---

# Full truckload shipping from Los Angeles

URL: https://www.alvylogistics.com/freight/truckload
Type: Service
Updated: 2026-10-08

Full truckload shipping gives one shipper's freight a truck to itself, loaded once at pickup and driven to delivery with no terminal stops. Alvy Logistics hauls box truck loads around Southern California as the motor carrier, from $200 for the first 20 miles. Dry van truckload lanes leaving the region are arranged through Accurate Freight Systems LLC, the licensed property broker in our group.

- Box truck load: About 10 to 12 pallets, from $200 for the first 20 miles
- 53 ft dry van: About 26 pallets, through Accurate Freight Systems LLC
- Best for: Loads that fill most of a truck or should be handled once

## What full truckload shipping includes

- The truck is yours: No other shipper's freight on board, and no terminal where the load is unloaded and reloaded on the way.
- Box truck loads in Southern California: Up to a full 20 to 26 ft box truck, hauled by Alvy Logistics as carrier, with a liftgate where there is no dock.
- Dry van lanes leaving the region: 53 ft dry van loads to Northern California and the West, arranged with an authorized motor carrier by Accurate Freight Systems LLC.
- Help with hand-stacked loads: A second person can be added when a box truck load is loaded or unloaded by hand, and it is listed on your quote.
- Appointments set before dispatch: Ready time, dock hours and the delivery appointment agreed with you before the truck is booked.
- A warehouse stop when needed: A 40 ft container unloaded at the Valencia warehouse (quoted), then held there or sent on to the outbound truck.

## Truckload shipping cost from Los Angeles, starting at

Box truck loads inside Southern California start from the published box truck rate. A dry van load leaving the region is priced for the whole truck on that lane at the time you ship, so each one is quoted.

| Load | Starting at | What changes the price |
|---|---|---|
| Box truck load inside Southern California | From $200 for the first 20 miles | Mileage after 20 miles is quoted; a liftgate, pallet jack, heavy freight or an extra stop is added when the job needs it and listed on your quote |
| 53 ft dry van load leaving Southern California | Quoted per load | Lane and miles, timing, appointments, extra stops, detention and fuel |
| Container unload at the Valencia warehouse | Quoted per container | Storage from $25 per pallet per month and handling from $12 per pallet out if the freight waits before shipping |

Starting-at figures. Waiting time, after-hours and weekend runs are added when the job needs them and listed on your quote, and a fuel surcharge may apply. Send the load details for a written quote before you book. Rates as of 2026-10-08.

## What is full truckload (FTL) shipping?

Full truckload shipping, or FTL, gives one shipper a whole truck. The freight is loaded at pickup, the doors close, and the truck runs to the delivery address with nothing added and nothing unloaded on the way. With LTL, by contrast, your pallets share a trailer and cross at least one terminal dock.

You pay for the truck, not for the space you use. That makes truckload the better buy when the freight fills most of the trailer, when it is heavy, or when it is fragile enough that every extra forklift move is a risk.

## How many pallets are in a full truckload?

A 53 ft dry van, the standard trailer for truckload freight, takes about 26 standard 48 by 40 inch pallets loaded two across and single-stacked. Turning the pallets can fit a few more where the trailer's inside width allows, and freight strong enough to bear weight can be double-stacked.

Weight is the other limit, and dense freight such as tile, metal parts or paper stock hits it first. Federal rules cap gross vehicle weight at 80,000 lbs on the Interstate system ([23 CFR 658.17](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-23/section-658.17)), and the tractor and trailer take a large share of that.

A 20 to 26 ft box truck is a smaller full load: about 10 to 12 standard pallets on the floor, and much less weight. For a lot of Southern California freight, that is the whole shipment. [Box truck delivery](https://www.alvylogistics.com/courier/box-truck-delivery) has the truck sizes.

## When does full truckload beat LTL?

| | LTL | Box truck load | 53 ft dry van load |
|---|---|---|---|
| Typical size | 1 to 6 pallets | Up to about 10 to 12 pallets | Up to about 26 pallets, single-stacked |
| Handling | Through one or more terminals | Loaded once, unloaded once | Loaded once, unloaded once |
| Shares the truck | Yes | No | No |
| Priced by | Weight, class, lane, accessorials | Base plus miles, then extras | The whole truck on the lane |
| Best for | Small shipments on long lanes | Local and regional loads | Full loads leaving the region |

No single pallet count marks the switch. NMFTA treats more than six pallets as a candidate for volume LTL, and truckload carriers expect an LTL shipment to take under 12 linear feet of trailer. Past that point, price volume LTL, partial and full truckload side by side. Fragile freight, tight deadlines and high-value goods tip toward a truck of your own sooner. The [LTL vs FTL guide](https://www.alvylogistics.com/guides/ltl-vs-ftl) runs the comparison, and [LTL shipping](https://www.alvylogistics.com/freight/ltl-shipping) covers the shared-trailer side.

## Who hauls a truckload from Los Angeles?

It depends on the truck and the lane.

**Box truck loads inside Southern California** are hauled by Alvy Logistics under its own motor carrier authority (MC-1341979). Typical loads: fixtures for a store opening, a trade show or live event delivery, finished goods from a manufacturer to a distributor, or a transfer between two warehouses across the basin. A driver and box truck can also be booked as a dedicated block for a day or set hours. The price starts from a published base rather than the market. A 74-mile run from Valencia to Ontario in the [Inland Empire](https://www.alvylogistics.com/courier/inland-empire), for example, is the $200 base for the first 20 miles plus mileage for the other 54, set on your quote before extras. Manufacturers with regular loads should also see [manufacturing logistics](https://www.alvylogistics.com/industries/manufacturing-logistics).

**53 ft dry van loads leaving the region**, to Northern California, Arizona, Nevada, Utah and the rest of the West, are arranged through Accurate Freight Systems LLC, the licensed property broker in our group (MC-572734); see [freight brokerage services](https://www.alvylogistics.com/freight/brokerage). The broker books an authorized truckload carrier, which hauls the load. You can ask which company is handling any shipment.

## How much does it cost to ship a full truckload?

A full truckload freight rate is a price for the whole truck on one lane. What moves it:

- **Lane and miles.** The biggest part. Direction matters too: rates tend to run higher out of markets where more freight is leaving than trucks are arriving.
- **Fuel.** A surcharge that follows fuel prices.
- **Timing.** Short notice, weekend pickups and narrow delivery windows cost more.
- **Stops and dock time.** Extra stops, driver assist, and detention once the carrier's free time runs out.

Box truck loads skip the market. A published base of $200 covers the first 20 miles. After the first 20 miles, mileage can start as low as $1.20 a mile, depending on the vehicle and the route, and it is set on your written quote. Extras such as a liftgate, a pallet jack or an extra stop are added only when the job needs them and listed on the quote too.

## What is partial truckload shipping?

Partial truckload sits between LTL and a full trailer. Your freight takes part of a trailer and usually stays on the same truck from pickup to delivery, without the terminal transfers of LTL, and it is usually priced on the trailer space and weight used rather than on freight class. It suits loads past standard LTL size that do not fill a 53 ft trailer. Around Los Angeles, the same load often fits a single box truck.

## Who loads and unloads a truckload?

On most dry van loads the shipper loads at its own dock and the receiver unloads at theirs. Have the freight staged and the bill of lading ready when the truck backs in, and ask for the carrier's free time and detention terms so you can plan the dock around them. On a box truck run, a short wait at the dock is expected, and longer waits are added as wait time and listed on your quote.

If inbound freight needs a stop first, a 40 ft container can be unloaded at the Valencia warehouse (container unloading is quoted), and the freight [cross-docked](https://www.alvylogistics.com/warehousing/cross-docking) onto outbound trucks or held there, with storage from $25 per pallet per month.

## How do I arrange full truckload freight shipping?

1. Pickup and delivery addresses, and whether each has a dock or needs a liftgate.
2. The ready date and the latest acceptable delivery date.
3. Pallet count or floor space, total weight and what the freight is.
4. Whether the freight can be stacked or turned.
5. Appointment times, extra stops, or a second person to load.

[Request a written truckload quote](https://www.alvylogistics.com/request-quote) or call during business hours. Business clients are invoiced, and you can ask at any point which company is handling the load.

To compare a truckload with LTL, pallet and expedited options, start at [freight shipping from Los Angeles](https://www.alvylogistics.com/freight).

## What full truckload shipping here does not include

- Truckloads of hazardous materials or dangerous goods
- Refrigerated (reefer) or frozen truckloads
- Port drayage of ocean containers
- Household goods or residential moves

## Full truckload shipping questions

### What is a full truckload?

A full truckload is a shipment that takes a truck to itself. NMFTA describes it most commonly as a load that fills a 53 ft dry van; dense freight can reach the weight limit first. The shipper pays for the truck on the lane rather than for the space used, so it suits big, heavy or fragile loads.

### How many pounds is a full truckload?

The federal gross weight cap on the Interstate system is 80,000 lbs, and that counts the tractor and trailer as well as the cargo. In a 53 ft dry van that usually leaves about 42,000 to 45,000 lbs for freight, depending on the equipment. A box truck carries far less, so heavy local loads are matched to the truck first.

### How much does it cost to ship a full truckload?

A truckload is priced for the whole truck on the lane: mainly the miles, then fuel, timing, appointments, extra stops and waiting time. Rates move with the balance of freight and trucks on each lane, so every load is quoted. A box truck load inside Southern California starts at $200 for the first 20 miles, with mileage beyond that and any extras set on your written quote.

### When is full truckload cheaper than LTL?

There is no fixed pallet count: the crossover depends on the lane, the weight and the class. Once a shipment goes beyond about six pallets, get volume LTL, partial and full truckload prices side by side. Fragile or high-value freight that should not cross a terminal dock can justify a truck of its own sooner.

### Who are the FTL carriers on lanes outside Southern California?

Authorized motor carriers booked by Accurate Freight Systems LLC (MC-572734), the licensed property broker in our group. The broker arranges the load and the carrier hauls it. Inside Southern California, Alvy Logistics hauls box truck loads itself as the carrier. You can always ask which company is handling a load.

### What is the cheapest way to ship large, heavy items?

Match the vehicle to the load. Inside Southern California, a few heavy pallets or crates often fit one box truck, which avoids both LTL handling and paying for a 53 ft trailer. For longer distances, LTL usually suits up to about six pallets, with partial or full truckload above that.

---

# Courier service in Santa Barbara and Ventura County

URL: https://www.alvylogistics.com/courier/ventura-santa-barbara
Type: Service area
Updated: 2026-10-08

For a courier service in Santa Barbara or anywhere in Ventura County, Alvy Logistics has independent-contractor drivers based in the area who take local business runs in Ventura, Oxnard, Camarillo, Thousand Oaks, Simi Valley, Santa Barbara, Goleta and Carpinteria. Prices follow trip miles: a car costs $45 for up to 20, so Goleta to downtown Santa Barbara, about 10 miles, is $45.

- Serving: Ventura County, Santa Barbara, Goleta and Carpinteria
- Drivers: Local independent-contractor drivers
- Starting at: $45 by car for runs up to 20 miles

- The 126 from Valencia to Ventura: The 126 leaves the I-5 at Castaic Junction, on the edge of Valencia, and runs about 40 miles west through the Santa Clara River Valley, past Fillmore and Santa Paula, to the 101 in Ventura. Runs from our Valencia address take it to most coastal stops: about 46 miles to downtown Ventura, 45 to downtown Oxnard and 73 to downtown Santa Barbara.
- The 101 and the Rincon: The 101 carries most traffic in both counties: through Thousand Oaks, down the Conejo Grade to Camarillo and Oxnard, then up the coast past Ventura and the Rincon to Carpinteria, Santa Barbara and Goleta. Along the coast it has no comparable alternative: after the January 2018 Montecito debris flows, the 101 was closed for 12 days.
- The Port of Hueneme: The Port of Hueneme, run by the Oxnard Harbor District beside Oxnard, is the only deep-water commercial harbor between Los Angeles and San Francisco, and handles mainly vehicles, fresh produce and project cargo. Moving cargo in and out of its terminals is port drayage, which Alvy does not provide.
- Santa Barbara Airport (SBA): Santa Barbara Airport sits beside Goleta and UC Santa Barbara, about 10 miles from downtown Santa Barbara by road. Runs between downtown, the airport and the Goleta business parks along Hollister Avenue mostly fit inside the 20 miles the base rate covers.

## Ventura and Santa Barbara courier services we run

- South coast runs: Same-day deliveries inside Santa Barbara and Goleta, or along the 101 between Carpinteria, Ventura and Oxnard, priced on the trip miles.
- Conejo and Simi valley runs: Pickups and drops in Thousand Oaks, Camarillo and Simi Valley by car, cargo van or box truck, alone or on a set route.
- Legal and title documents: Originals, signed agreements and exhibits between law offices, escrow and title offices and other businesses, booked same day or on a schedule.
- Labs, clinics and pharmacies: Sealed specimens, supplies and pharmacy orders from Thousand Oaks to Goleta, by STAT run or on a standing route, carried as the shipper packed them.
- From Valencia and Los Angeles: Runs from Los Angeles County, and stock leaving the Valencia warehouse, routed on the 126 or the 101 depending on the pickup.
- Box truck deliveries: Box trucks are available with drivers based in both counties, for pallets, fixtures and store stock to retailers and business parks, with a liftgate added if needed.

## Ventura and Santa Barbara courier rates, starting at

Rates are from the Alvy Logistics 2026 courier card; there is no separate coastal price list. A vehicle's base rate buys the first 20 trip miles and is the minimum charge for a run.

| Vehicle | Starting at | Goleta to downtown Santa Barbara (about 10 miles) |
|---|---|---|
| Car (envelopes, small parcels, specimens) | $45 for the first 20 trip miles | $45 |
| Cargo van (cartons, files, light freight) | $80 for the first 20 trip miles | $80 |
| 20 to 26 ft box truck (store stock, fixtures, pallets) | $200 for the first 20 trip miles | $200 |

There is no charge to bring a driver to you: our drivers are based in Ventura and Santa Barbara counties. Runs between neighboring cities, such as Oxnard to Ventura or Thousand Oaks to Camarillo, generally fit inside the base. A run that starts in Valencia or Los Angeles counts its miles from that pickup. After the first 20 miles, mileage can start as low as $1.20 a mile, depending on the vehicle and the route, and it is set on your written quote. Tolls pass through at cost and a fuel surcharge may apply. Extras such as wait time, added stops, a liftgate, night or weekend work are added only when the job needs them and listed on your written quote, so ask for one before you book. Rates as of 2026-10-08.

## Courier service in Santa Barbara and Ventura County, run by drivers based in both counties

Alvy Logistics runs a courier service in Santa Barbara and across Ventura County for businesses. Drivers based in the two counties, all independent contractors, take the local runs, from Simi Valley and Thousand Oaks out to Oxnard, Ventura, Carpinteria, Santa Barbara and Goleta. Alvy has no office in either county; it operates from Valencia, home to its one warehouse and about 46 miles from downtown Ventura by the 126.

## What does a courier in Santa Barbara deliver for businesses?

Santa Barbara courier work for businesses tends to be small, time-bound and local:

- **Law and title work.** Originals, signed agreements and exhibits between law offices, escrow and title offices and the Santa Barbara County Courthouse on Anacapa Street. Your custody form or delivery receipt gets the driver's signature at each Ventura and Santa Barbara handoff when your process requires one.
- **Labs and clinics.** Sealed specimens, supplies and pharmacy orders between clinics, labs and pharmacies, STAT or on a set route, under the rules on our [medical courier service](https://www.alvylogistics.com/courier/medical) page.
- **Goleta technology businesses.** Parts, prototypes and cartons for research and technology firms near UC Santa Barbara and the airport.
- **Retailers and designers.** Stock between stores and stockrooms, and [white glove delivery](https://www.alvylogistics.com/courier/white-glove-delivery) that a store books for its customer.

Much of downtown State Street is a pedestrian promenade, closed to regular traffic. For a storefront there, tell us the cross street or rear entrance where the driver should hand off.

## Do you offer courier service in Ventura and Oxnard?

Yes. Ventura, the county seat, and Oxnard, the largest city in the county, sit about 11 miles apart on the 101, so a run between them pays the base rate. Camarillo is about 9 miles from Oxnard, also inside the base.

Oxnard's freight landmark is the Port of Hueneme, about 5 miles from downtown. Drayage in and out of its terminals is not an Alvy service, so a courier service in Oxnard works around the port: documents, parts and cartons for importers, customs brokers and service businesses, delivered to their offices and warehouses outside the terminals.

## Do you cover Thousand Oaks, Camarillo and Simi Valley?

Yes. The east end of Ventura County borders Los Angeles County. Thousand Oaks sits on the 101 in the Conejo Valley, about 41 miles from downtown Los Angeles. Simi Valley is on the 118, its link to the San Fernando Valley, and the 23 runs from Moorpark down to the 101 in Thousand Oaks. Thousand Oaks to Camarillo, down the Conejo Grade, is about 13 miles, and Simi Valley to Thousand Oaks about 18, so both stay inside the base rate. From Valencia, Simi Valley is about 31 to 34 miles by the I-5 and the 118.

Courier work here is often documents, lab supplies and equipment moving between Conejo Valley offices and suppliers across the county line, by car or cargo van. Box trucks are available with the local drivers too, for pallets and fixtures.

Alvy knows the Conejo Valley well. From 2023 the company ran a residential parcel delivery route out of Ventura covering Thousand Oaks and Newbury Park, after buying it along with the drivers and managers who worked it.

## How do runs from Los Angeles reach Ventura and Santa Barbara?

Two roads do the work. Stock from the Valencia warehouse heads west on the 126 through the Santa Clara River Valley to the 101 at Ventura. Pickups downtown or in the San Fernando Valley follow the 101 the whole way: about 62 miles from downtown Los Angeles to Oxnard and about 95 to Santa Barbara.

Both corridors are single routes for long stretches, and a crash or a storm on the coast can hold traffic for hours. We time departures with that in mind and fix the delivery window at booking. For urgent runs from Los Angeles to the coast, see [same-day courier service](https://www.alvylogistics.com/courier/same-day).

## What does a courier cost in Ventura County and Santa Barbara?

The coast is priced on the same 2026 card as Los Angeles. Rates start at $45 by car, $80 by cargo van and $200 by box truck. Up to 20 trip miles costs only the base; past that, mileage is added and set on your written quote. The examples below show which coastal runs stay at the base rate and which add mileage, before extras.

| Example run | Distance | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Goleta to downtown Santa Barbara | 10 miles | Base rate only |
| Oxnard to Ventura | 11 miles | Base rate only |
| Oxnard to Santa Barbara | 38 miles | Base rate plus mileage |
| Valencia warehouse to Santa Barbara, on the 126 | 73 miles | Base rate plus mileage |
| Downtown Los Angeles to Santa Barbara, on the 101 | 95 miles | Base rate plus mileage |

Miles are routed road distances between downtowns, or from our Valencia address, and your quote is built on the actual addresses. There is no charge to bring a driver to you, long runs have no separate long-distance band, tolls pass through at cost and a fuel surcharge may apply. Wait time, added stops, a liftgate and night or weekend work are added only when the job needs them, and your written quote lists each one. The [courier cost guide](https://www.alvylogistics.com/guides/courier-cost-los-angeles) explains how a quote is built.

## What do you need to quote a Ventura County or Santa Barbara run?

Send the two addresses, what is going and its weight, the delivery window, and the receiving entrance, which matters most on the State Street promenade and at gated business parks. If you have an account, you book the run in our online shipper portal and follow it along the 101, seeing where the driver is, when they arrive on site in Ventura or Santa Barbara, and the photos taken at pickup and at delivery, and business clients are invoiced. If not, the [quote request](https://www.alvylogistics.com/request-quote) form or phoning (661) 344-8766 gets you a written quote from a coordinator during business hours, weekdays from 8am to 8pm Pacific.

## What our Ventura and Santa Barbara courier service does not cover

- Port drayage: moving containers or other cargo in and out of the Port of Hueneme is not part of this service
- Fresh produce, food or other loads that must stay cold in transit: runs are ambient, with no cold storage
- Hazardous materials, controlled substances or Category A infectious substances
- Household goods or residential moves
- A drop-off counter on the coast: Alvy keeps no office in either county, and its one warehouse is in Valencia

## Santa Barbara and Ventura courier questions

### How much should a courier cost in Santa Barbara?

Two things set it on the 2026 Alvy card: which vehicle the load needs and how many miles the run covers. Goleta to downtown Santa Barbara, about 10 trip miles, pays the base alone: $45 (car), $80 (cargo van) or $200 (box truck). Ventura to Santa Barbara, about 28 miles, adds mileage past 20 miles to the base, set on your written quote.

### Are your drivers based in Ventura County and Santa Barbara?

Yes. The drivers who take runs here are independent contractors based in Ventura and Santa Barbara counties. Alvy keeps no office in either county; orders reach a coordinator by phone or through our online shipper portal, and the company has a single warehouse, in Valencia.

### How long is a courier run from Los Angeles to Santa Barbara?

Downtown Los Angeles to Santa Barbara is about 95 miles on the 101, which routing tools put at about an hour and 40 minutes to two hours with light traffic. Weekday peaks on the 101 add to that, so the delivery window is agreed when you book. The price is the base rate plus mileage, set on your written quote.

### Do you pick up containers at the Port of Hueneme?

No. Moving containers in and out of the port is drayage, which Alvy does not provide. Documents, parts and cartons for businesses in Oxnard and Port Hueneme, delivered to their offices and warehouses outside the port terminals, are ordinary courier runs.

### Is there a medical courier for Ventura County labs and clinics?

Yes. Labs, clinics and pharmacies in Ventura, Oxnard, Thousand Oaks and Santa Barbara can book STAT runs or a set pickup schedule. The shipper packs each specimen (UN3373 packaging for Category B), the vehicle is ambient, and we decline Category A infectious substances and controlled substances.

### Do you serve Santa Maria?

Yes, as part of Santa Barbara County. Santa Maria is about 64 miles from downtown Santa Barbara over San Marcos Pass on the 154, or about 76 on the 101. A run between the two is the base rate plus mileage, and the quote uses the route the driver will actually take.

---

# White glove delivery service in Los Angeles

URL: https://www.alvylogistics.com/courier/white-glove-delivery
Type: Service
Updated: 2026-10-14

White glove delivery means the driver team brings an item inside, places it in the room you choose, handles light assembly and takes the packaging away, instead of leaving it at the curb. Alvy Logistics runs white glove delivery across Los Angeles and Southern California for retailers, brands and designers, starting at $160 for a local delivery by cargo van.

- Who books it: Retailers, brands, designers and showrooms
- Vehicles: Cargo van or 20 to 26 ft box truck, with a second person when the piece needs one
- Starting at: $160 by cargo van or $325 by box truck for a local delivery

## What white glove delivery includes

- Inside delivery: Carried in through the front door, past stairs and elevators, not left at the curb or the threshold.
- Room of choice placement: Set where it belongs, positioned to your floor plan or the designer's instructions.
- Unpacking and light assembly: Cartons opened, legs, shelves and simple fixtures attached, and the piece checked over before we leave.
- Debris removal: Boxes, foam, blankets and pallets leave with the crew, so the room is ready to use.
- Protection in transit: Blanket-wrapped and strapped in a cargo van or box truck, loaded for the delivery sequence.
- Inspection and delivery photos: The piece is checked with you or your customer once it is set up, any damage is noted on the spot, and the delivery update in our portal carries photos.

## White glove delivery rates, starting at

Starting rates from the Alvy Logistics 2026 rate card for a local delivery, with the white glove service included.

| Vehicle | Starting at | What changes the price |
|---|---|---|
| Cargo van | From $160 for a local delivery | Distance, the number of pieces, stairs or long carries, and how much setup the piece needs |
| 20 to 26 ft box truck | From $325 for a local delivery | Distance, the size of the order, a liftgate, and whether the weight calls for a second person |
| Multi-piece or project installs | Quoted per project | Number of deliveries, crew size, building access rules, held pieces and the install sequence |

A second person, waiting time, and after-hours or weekend timing are added only when the job needs them and listed on your written quote. Tolls pass through at cost. For an exact price, send the piece details and addresses through the quote form or call (661) 344-8766. Rates as of 2026-10-08.

## White glove delivery, explained

White glove delivery is the level of service where the delivery crew does everything between the truck and a finished room. In logistics, a white glove service means exactly that: the job is not done until the item is in place and working. The item comes inside, goes to the room it belongs in, gets unpacked and lightly assembled, and the packaging leaves with the crew. Curbside and threshold delivery stop at the door. White glove finishes the job.

For a retailer or a furniture brand, that difference shows up in reviews and returns. A sofa left in a driveway, or a cabinet assembled wrong by a frustrated customer, costs more than the delivery did. A white glove delivery service moves that risk onto a crew whose job it is.

## Which items need white glove delivery?

Anything heavy, fragile or that has to be set up where it will be used: furniture, lighting, decor and framed art, glass and stone tops, store fixtures and displays, and crated pieces for showrooms and events. If a piece can safely be left at the door, threshold delivery costs less. If it has to come inside, be placed and have its packaging taken away, book white glove. Large or multi-piece orders go by 20 to 26 ft box truck with a liftgate, from $325 for a local delivery.

## Threshold, room of choice or full white glove

| Service level | Where it stops | Unpacking and assembly | Debris removed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Curbside | At the curb or driveway | No | No |
| Threshold | Just inside the first door | No | No |
| Room of choice | In the room you name | No | No |
| White glove | Placed and set up in the room | Yes, light assembly | Yes |

Full white glove is the last row. When a client only needs room of choice, ask for it, and the quote is priced for that level instead.

## White glove logistics for retailers, brands and designers

Alvy Logistics is a business-to-business white glove logistics provider. The people who book it are:

- **Retailers and showrooms** delivering furniture, lighting and decor to their customers.
- **Furniture and home brands** selling direct to consumer that need a premium last mile in Los Angeles.
- **Interior designers** installing a project across several deliveries, often with pieces held in storage until the space is ready.
- **Galleries and art advisors** moving framed work and objects between galleries, collectors and installers.
- **Hospitality and commercial projects** where fixtures and furniture go into a building in a set order. See [hospitality and FF&E logistics](https://www.alvylogistics.com/industries/hospitality-ffe-logistics).

In every case the business books and pays for the delivery, and business clients are invoiced. That matters legally as well as practically: our carrier authority excludes household goods, so we do not handle household moves or residential relocations.

## White glove furniture delivery in Los Angeles

Los Angeles makes white glove furniture delivery harder than it looks on a map. Hillside homes in the Hollywood Hills and Malibu mean steep driveways and long carries. Westside high-rises usually need an elevator reservation booked with building management, and many ask vendors for a certificate of insurance first; we supply one to the building on request. Downtown lofts often have freight elevators with set hours. We ask about access when you book, so the crew size, truck and timing fit the building, and so nobody discovers a third-floor walk-up on delivery day.

From our warehouse in Valencia, the [San Fernando Valley](https://www.alvylogistics.com/courier/san-fernando-valley), [Pasadena](https://www.alvylogistics.com/courier/pasadena-san-gabriel-valley) and [the Westside](https://www.alvylogistics.com/courier/westside) are routine, and [Orange County](https://www.alvylogistics.com/courier/orange-county) deliveries are quoted the same way, by distance and the setup each piece needs.

## How a white glove delivery runs

1. **You book it** with the item details, the address and any access notes: stairs, elevator, gate codes, parking.
2. **We confirm the crew and vehicle.** A cargo van for most single pieces, a box truck with a liftgate for larger orders, and a second person when the weight or the carry calls for it.
3. **Pickup or release.** From your store, your vendor, or our [warehouse](https://www.alvylogistics.com/warehousing/short-term-storage) if the piece was stored with us.
4. **Delivery and setup.** Placed, unpacked, lightly assembled and checked over with you before the crew leaves.
5. **Packaging leaves with us.** The room is ready to use when the crew walks out.

While the delivery is under way, our online shipper portal shows the driver's live location and onsite updates, and the delivery update comes with photos of the piece in place and any condition notes, which a retailer or designer can pass on to the client. If your business runs its own TMS, it can usually be connected to the portal.

## When something arrives damaged

Inspect with the crew before they leave. If a piece arrives damaged, note it with the crew on delivery, before anything is assembled; a damaged piece does not get assembled. The crew's delivery photos and condition notes in the portal give you, your customer and us the same record of how the piece arrived, and your own photos of any damage are still worth taking. Claims are handled in writing under our [Terms of Service](https://www.alvylogistics.com/terms-of-service), and the fastest route to a fix is a damage note made on the spot rather than a call days later.

## White glove shipping and freight for fragile, high-value pieces

Art, glass, stone tops and lighting need more than a blanket. Pieces travel wrapped and strapped, loaded so they come off in delivery order and are not stacked. For galleries and designers, we can hold pieces in storage and deliver them in sequence as a space comes together. For what moves the price, see the [white glove delivery cost guide](https://www.alvylogistics.com/guides/white-glove-delivery-cost), then send the piece details and addresses for a written quote.

## What white glove delivery does not cover

- Household goods or residential moves
- Full furniture assembly that needs tools and hours on site (ask and we will quote time)
- Hazardous materials or refrigerated goods
- Piano moving or crane and rigging work

## White glove delivery questions

### What is white glove delivery?

White glove delivery is a premium delivery level where the crew carries the item inside, places it in the room you choose, does light assembly or unpacking, and removes the packaging and debris. It is the opposite of curbside or threshold delivery, where the item is left at the door.

### What does white glove service mean, and why is it called that?

The phrase comes from formal service, where staff wore white gloves to handle valuables without leaving a mark. In logistics, a white glove service means the same care: the item is brought inside, set in place, unpacked and checked, and the packaging leaves with the crew. Alvy Logistics offers it across Los Angeles and Southern California for retailers, brands and designers.

### What is the difference between threshold, room of choice and white glove delivery?

Threshold delivery leaves the item just inside the first door. Room of choice brings it to a specific room but leaves it boxed. White glove adds unpacking, light assembly, placement and debris removal. Your quote is priced for the level you choose, and white glove starts at $160 by cargo van.

### Does white glove delivery include assembly?

It includes light assembly, such as attaching legs, shelves or simple fixtures, and checking the piece once it is set up. Furniture that needs tools and hours on site is quoted by time, so tell us what the assembly involves when you book.

### How much does white glove delivery cost in Los Angeles?

White glove delivery with Alvy Logistics starts at $160 by cargo van and $325 by 20 to 26 ft box truck for a local delivery. Distance, the size and weight of the pieces, stairs or long carries, a second person and after-hours or weekend timing move the price, and your written quote lists each charge.

### Can you send a certificate of insurance to the building?

Yes. Many high-rises, office towers and managed buildings ask delivery vendors for a certificate of insurance before they book the elevator or the dock. Tell us the building's requirements when you book, and we supply the certificate to building management ahead of the delivery date.

### Who books your white glove delivery service?

Retailers, furniture and home brands, interior designers, galleries and showrooms book it for their customers and projects. The business arranges and pays for the delivery. We do not handle household moves or residential relocations.

### Can you store items before a white glove delivery?

Yes. Pieces can be received and held at our Valencia warehouse, then delivered on the date the customer or the project is ready. Pallet storage starts from $25 per pallet per month.

---

# Beauty and cosmetics fulfillment

URL: https://www.alvylogistics.com/fulfillment/beauty-cosmetics
Type: Service
Updated: 2026-10-07

Beauty fulfillment is storing, picking, packing and shipping orders for cosmetics, skincare and personal care brands, with extra care for shades, leaks, glass and batch records. Alvy Logistics provides beauty and cosmetics fulfillment from one ambient, dry warehouse in Valencia, California, for ecommerce and wholesale orders. Order processing starts at $5 per order. There is no climate-controlled storage, so heat-sensitive formulas are not a fit.

- Products: Cosmetics, skincare, hair care and personal care
- Storage: Ambient and dry, with no climate-controlled storage
- Starting at: $5 per order processing, $25 per pallet per month

## What our beauty fulfillment includes

- Careful pick and pack: Glass, pumps and droppers packed to your written spec, with the bags and cushioning that spec names.
- Shade and size SKUs: Every shade and size set up as its own SKU and barcode, because two lookalike lipsticks are two different products.
- Lot and expiry tracking: Lot numbers and expiry dates recorded at receiving, and stock shipped oldest date first.
- Gift sets and PR boxes: Holiday sets, minis and influencer boxes built ahead of launches as kits with their own SKU.
- Branded unboxing: Your tissue, inserts, samples and cards added to each order the way your spec says.
- Retail and salon orders: Restock orders to salons, spas, stores and distributors, shipped by the carton or pallet.

## Beauty fulfillment pricing, starting at

Glass, liquids and inserts change how long each beauty order takes to pack, so labor is quoted per job from a sample of your orders. The rates below are from the Alvy Logistics 2026 warehouse rate card.

| Service | Starting at | What changes the price |
|---|---|---|
| Order processing | $5 per order | Glass and liquids, samples and gift notes add pick and pack labor |
| Storage | $25 per pallet per month | Pallets on hand across shades and sizes, launch and holiday peaks |
| Receiving | $12 per pallet | Mixed shades in one carton or pallet need sorting before put-away |
| Special projects | $38 an hour | Relabeling, rebuilding sets, carton rework |

Postage depends on carrier and service and is added per order. Ask for a written quote: it lists every rate before you sign. Rates as of 2026-10-08.

## What is beauty fulfillment?

Beauty fulfillment is the warehouse side of selling cosmetics, skincare, hair care and personal care products: receiving stock, storing it, picking and packing each order, and shipping it. The work looks like any ecommerce fulfillment until you count the details. One brand can carry dozens of shades in three sizes. Bottles leak, glass breaks and droppers loosen on a hot truck. Lot numbers and expiry dates matter the day a batch has a problem. And for a beauty brand, the unboxing is part of the product.

Alvy Logistics fulfills beauty and cosmetics orders from one 58,000 sq ft warehouse in Valencia, in the Santa Clarita Valley north of Los Angeles. Ecommerce orders, retail orders and PR kits ship from the same stock, and your store connects through the Logiwa client portal (Shopify, for example).

## How do you package cosmetics for shipping?

Close the leak paths first: tight caps, pumps locked, liquids in a sealed bag. Then keep glass from touching glass, fill empty space so nothing moves, and use a box sized to the order. At Alvy Logistics every order follows the packing spec you agree with us at onboarding: which box for which order size, how liquids are bagged, what cushioning goes around glass, where the insert card sits and when a sample goes in. A written spec is what makes the five-hundredth order look like the first. For the step-by-step order flow, see [pick and pack services](https://www.alvylogistics.com/fulfillment/pick-and-pack).

A few things we ask beauty brands to decide up front:

- **Leak protection.** Which products ship bagged, and whether pumps and droppers arrive locked from your manufacturer.
- **Glass.** Whether glass ships in its retail carton, in a sleeve or with extra cushioning.
- **Shades and sizes.** Each shade and size needs its own SKU and barcode on the unit, since a warm beige and a neutral beige look alike under warehouse light.
- **Inserts and samples.** What goes in which orders, and what happens when a sample runs out.

## Lot numbers, batch codes and expiry dates

Beauty brands track stock by batch: a lot or batch code on every unit, and often an expiry or period-after-opening date. If a batch ever has a problem, you need to know which lot is on the shelf and which went out.

We record lot numbers and expiry dates at receiving and ship oldest date first, so short-dated units leave before fresh ones and a recall can be traced to the lot. It helps to send lot and expiry data with every inbound shipment and to keep different lots of the same shade in separate cartons.

## Skincare fulfillment: how should skincare products be stored?

Cool, dry and out of direct sunlight, in sealed cartons, is the usual advice. Our warehouse is ambient and dry. There is no climate-controlled storage, which means the building is not held to a set temperature range, and Santa Clarita Valley summers are hot. Most shelf-stable makeup, skincare, hair care, bath and body products and beauty tools store well in those conditions. Products that melt, separate or spoil above room temperature, such as some balms, waxes and preservative-free formulas, are not a fit. It is better to hear that now than after a July heat wave.

## Can you ship fragrance, nail polish and aerosols?

Some of the most common beauty products are regulated for transport. Under the federal hazardous materials regulations (49 CFR), perfumes made with flammable solvents are a Class 3 flammable liquid, many nail polishes are flammable liquids too, and aerosols such as dry shampoo and hairspray are regulated as gases. Retail sizes often ship as limited quantities, a lighter set of packaging and labeling rules that still treats them as hazardous materials, and some small alcohol-based retail products are excepted outright.

We accept fragrance, nail polish, aerosols and similar limited-quantity consumer goods after reviewing the safety data sheet for each SKU. Send the safety data sheet for every fragrance, nail and aerosol SKU with your quote request; the transport information your manufacturer gives there is where the review starts. A SKU regulated as a hazardous material beyond limited quantities is not accepted. Supplements, vitamins and other ingestible products are not accepted at all, because this is not an FDA-registered facility.

## Gift sets, PR boxes and launches

Beauty runs on sets: holiday gift sets, travel minis, launch boxes and influencer PR kits. Building them as orders arrive is slow and uneven, so we build them ahead as kits with their own SKU and then ship them like any other item. See [kitting and assembly](https://www.alvylogistics.com/fulfillment/kitting-assembly) for how builds are quoted, and [marketing and merch kits](https://www.alvylogistics.com/fulfillment/marketing-merch-kits) for PR and influencer mailers sent to a list of recipients.

Beauty boxes that ship on a monthly cycle run through [subscription box fulfillment](https://www.alvylogistics.com/fulfillment/subscription-box).

## How do you ship cosmetics in bulk?

Bulk beauty orders, such as a salon restock or a retailer's opening order, ship by the carton or pallet rather than as parcels. Cartons of liquids are heavy for their size, so carton weights and pallet builds matter, and many retailers set both in their routing guide. These orders come out of the same stock your ecommerce orders use, so there is no second warehouse to keep in sync. [B2B and wholesale fulfillment](https://www.alvylogistics.com/fulfillment/b2b-wholesale) covers routing guides, GS1-128 carton labels, advance ship notices and EDI.

## Getting a beauty product fulfillment quote

- A month of order history: orders, units per order, and the share with glass or liquids
- Your SKU list, including shades and sizes
- How stock arrives (parcel, pallet or container) and whether lot and expiry data comes with it
- Your packing spec, inserts and any gift sets or PR kits on the calendar
- Any retail or salon accounts and their routing guides
- Safety data sheets for every fragrance, nail and aerosol SKU

Beauty brands shipping a few hundred to several thousand orders a month are the fit. A brand packing fewer than a few hundred orders a month usually spends less doing it in-house, and we will say so. To compare these numbers with other warehouses, read the [3PL and pallet storage pricing guide](https://www.alvylogistics.com/guides/3pl-pallet-storage-pricing). Send the list through the quote form or call (661) 344-8766 for a written quote.

## What our beauty fulfillment does not cover

- Food or supplements: this is not an FDA-registered facility
- Heat-sensitive products: there is no climate-controlled storage
- Hazardous materials beyond limited quantities: fragrance, nail polish and aerosols are accepted only as limited-quantity goods after safety data sheet review
- Very low volume, under a few hundred orders a month

## Beauty and cosmetics fulfillment questions

### What is cosmetics fulfillment?

Cosmetics fulfillment is the outsourced storage, picking, packing and shipping of makeup, skincare and personal care orders. Compared with general merchandise it needs more care with glass, liquids and small items, a SKU for every shade and size, and attention to batch codes and expiry dates.

### How do you manage cosmetics inventory with a 3PL?

Give every shade and size its own SKU and barcode, send lot numbers and expiry dates with each inbound shipment, keep different lots in separate cartons, and check stock in the portal rather than by email. Stock is visible in the Logiwa client portal, lots and expiry dates are recorded at receiving, and stock ships oldest date first.

### Can you store perfume and nail polish?

Yes, as limited-quantity consumer goods, after we review the safety data sheet for each SKU. Many alcohol-based fragrances and nail polishes are flammable liquids under federal hazardous materials rules, and aerosols are regulated as gases, but retail sizes usually ship as limited quantities. A SKU that does not qualify is not accepted.

### Does a cosmetics 3PL need FDA registration under MoCRA?

MoCRA facility registration covers establishments that manufacture or process cosmetics. FDA guidance says an establishment that only holds, labels, relabels, packages, repackages or distributes them does not register, and that filling containers is not packaging. We store, pack and ship finished products, and this is not an FDA-registered facility. Product listing stays with the responsible person named on your label.

### Do you fulfill supplements?

No. Vitamins, supplements and other ingestible products are not accepted, because this is not an FDA-registered facility. Topical cosmetics, skincare, hair care, bath and body and personal care products are accepted, with fragrances, nail products and aerosols accepted as limited quantities after safety data sheet review.

### How much does beauty fulfillment cost?

At Alvy Logistics order processing starts at $5 per order, storage at $25 per pallet per month and receiving at $12 per pallet, with postage added per order. Pick and pack labor is quoted per job after we see sample orders, since glass, inserts and gift sets add time.

---

# Pallet shipping and pallet delivery in Los Angeles

URL: https://www.alvylogistics.com/freight/pallet-shipping
Type: Service
Updated: 2026-10-08

Pallet shipping in Los Angeles starts at $200 with Alvy Logistics: that covers a 20 to 26 ft box truck for the first 20 miles, for one pallet or several, with mileage beyond that set on your quote. Pallets leaving Southern California ship LTL and are quoted per shipment, with brokerage through Accurate Freight Systems LLC, the licensed property broker in our group.

- Local pallets: Box truck from $200, first 20 miles included
- No dock?: Liftgate or pallet jack, listed on your quote
- Beyond SoCal: LTL through Accurate Freight Systems LLC, quoted per shipment

## What our pallet delivery service includes

- Same-day pallet delivery: Local pallet transport by box truck, from the Santa Clarita Valley to Orange County and the Inland Empire, often the same day once the pallet is ready.
- Liftgate and pallet jack: A liftgate and a pallet jack for pickups and deliveries without a loading dock or forklift, added only when needed and listed on your quote.
- Priced by the truck, not the pallet: The base, from $200, covers the truck for the first 20 miles, whatever the pallet count. Loads over 1,000 lbs are priced on the quote.
- Several drops on one run: One box truck can leave pallets at more than one site on the same run, with each extra stop listed on your quote.
- LTL pallets out of the region: Pallets bound for Northern California and other Western states move LTL, booked with an authorized carrier by Accurate Freight Systems LLC.
- A warehouse stop if you need one: Pallets received, held at the Valencia warehouse and released when you are ready: handling from $12 a pallet in or out, storage from $25 per pallet per month.

## Pallet shipping cost in Los Angeles, starting at

Starting-at figures. A local pallet is priced by the truck and the miles; an LTL pallet leaving Southern California is quoted per shipment.

| Pallet service | Starting at | What changes the price |
|---|---|---|
| One or more pallets by box truck, first 20 miles | From $200 | Mileage after 20 miles is quoted; loads over 1,000 lbs are priced on the quote |
| Liftgate, pallet jack or an extra delivery stop | Added when the job needs it | No dock or forklift at either end, or pallets dropped at more than one address; listed on your quote |
| LTL pallet leaving Southern California | Quoted per shipment | Lane, weight, freight class, liftgate, residential or limited-access delivery |
| Pallet handling and storage in Valencia | Handling from $12 in or out, storage from $25 per pallet per month | Only when the pallet stops at the warehouse |

Waiting time, after-hours and weekend runs are added only when the job needs them and listed on your quote, and a fuel surcharge may apply. Send the pallet details for a written quote before you book. Rates as of 2026-10-08.

## Same-day pallet delivery and pallet transport around Los Angeles

Pallet shipping inside Southern California is simplest with one truck that goes straight from pickup to delivery. Alvy Logistics handles local pallet transport itself, as the motor carrier, with drivers running 20 to 26 ft box trucks across Los Angeles County, Orange County and the Inland Empire. No terminal sits in the middle, so local pallet runs often go the same day when the pallet is ready in the morning.

Booked this way, the box truck works as a pallet courier. One driver picks up, drives straight to the delivery address and unloads, with no cross-dock or transfer on the way, which is what makes same-day pallet delivery possible when the pallet is booked during business hours.

The price follows the truck and the miles rather than the pallet count: from $200 for the first 20 miles, then mileage set on your quote, whether the truck carries one pallet or ten. Heavy loads and other extras are added only when the job needs them. [Box truck delivery](https://www.alvylogistics.com/courier/box-truck-delivery) covers truck sizes and how many pallets fit.

## How much does it cost to ship a pallet?

Inside Southern California, one pallet or several on a box truck starts at $200, and that base covers the first 20 miles. After the first 20 miles, mileage can start as low as $1.20 a mile, depending on the vehicle and the route, and it is set on your written quote. Here is how that works for one pallet under 1,000 lbs on a few common runs. Distances are approximate driving miles; your quote uses the actual route.

| Route | About | Dock to dock, before extras |
|---|---|---|
| City of Industry to Pomona | 16 miles | From $200, with the whole run inside the base |
| Burbank to Santa Monica | 24 miles | From $200 for the first 20 miles, plus mileage for the last 4 |
| Valencia to downtown Los Angeles | 40 miles | From $200 for the first 20 miles, plus mileage for the other 20 |
| Downtown Los Angeles to Irvine | 40 miles | From $200 for the first 20 miles, plus mileage for the other 20 |

Each line covers the truck and the miles only. A liftgate or pallet jack, a pallet over 1,000 lbs or an extra delivery stop is added only when the job needs it and listed on your written quote. The [freight shipping costs guide](https://www.alvylogistics.com/guides/freight-shipping-costs) has the wider picture.

## Shipping pallet freight out of Southern California

Pallets headed for Fresno, the Bay Area, Reno or Salt Lake City usually travel LTL, sharing a trailer with other freight. Those shipments are arranged through Accurate Freight Systems LLC, the licensed property broker in our group (MC-572734), which books an authorized LTL carrier to haul them. Because an LTL rate depends on lane, weight and freight class, each pallet is quoted on its own. [LTL shipping](https://www.alvylogistics.com/freight/ltl-shipping) explains how those rates and accessorials are built.

For every freight option from one place, start at [freight shipping from Los Angeles](https://www.alvylogistics.com/freight).

## How do you ship a pallet?

A well-built pallet arrives intact and keeps the class you were quoted. The steps are the same for a run across town or a lane to another state:

1. **Use a sound pallet.** A standard 48 by 40 inch pallet with no cracked or missing boards.
2. **Stack heavy at the bottom, flat on top.** Cartons in tight columns, the heaviest first, with nothing hanging over the edges. Overhang gets crushed, and it adds to the measured size.
3. **Wrap it to the pallet.** Stretch wrap that ties the load to the pallet itself, several turns at the base, plus straps or corner boards on heavy or tall loads.
4. **Label two sides.** Shipper, consignee, piece count and any reference number, with old labels taken off.
5. **Measure and weigh.** Length, width and height at the widest points, and the total weight, pallet included in both.
6. **Check both ends.** No dock or forklift at pickup or delivery means a liftgate, and often a pallet jack to roll the pallet clear.
7. **Match the paperwork.** The bill of lading should describe what is really on the pallet; on LTL, the carrier checks.

## How big is a shipping pallet?

The standard US pallet is 48 by 40 inches and about 5 to 6.5 inches tall on its own, depending on how it is built. Other common sizes, such as 42 by 42 or 48 by 48 inches, ship fine but should be listed on the quote, because they change how a truck is loaded.

Height has no single rule. Each LTL carrier sets its own maximum, so give the real built height when you ask for a quote, and mark a pallet that cannot take weight on top as do not stack. Height also feeds the class: a tall, light pallet has more cubic feet per pound, which pushes it into a higher class. The [freight class guide](https://www.alvylogistics.com/guides/freight-class) has the density chart. On a local box truck run, the limit is the box itself and a load that stays stable.

## Liftgate, pallet jack and no-dock addresses

Many pallet deliveries in Los Angeles end at a shop front, a studio, an office or a small unit with no loading dock. A liftgate lowers the pallet from the truck bed to the ground and a pallet jack rolls it to the door. If the pallet has to be broken down and carried inside by hand, a second person can come on the run. Each is added only when the job needs it and listed on your quote, so say at quote time what is at each end.

## What to send for a pallet quote

Addresses at both ends, how many pallets, the size and weight of each, what is on them, and whether there is a dock at each end. Add any delivery window, and say whether the pallet should stop at the Valencia warehouse first: held freight sits there until you release it, and [pallet storage](https://www.alvylogistics.com/warehousing/pallet-storage) is from $25 per pallet per month. Then [ask for a written pallet quote](https://www.alvylogistics.com/request-quote) or call (661) 344-8766.

## Pallets we cannot ship

- Pallets of hazardous materials or dangerous goods
- Frozen or refrigerated pallets
- Household goods or residential moves

## Pallet shipping questions

### How much does it cost to ship a 500 lb pallet?

Inside Southern California, weight does not change the box truck price until 1,000 lbs, so a 500 lb pallet starts at the $200 base for the first 20 miles, with mileage beyond that set on your quote, before extras. A liftgate, if there is no dock, is added and listed on the quote too. On an LTL lane, the 500 lbs is priced with the pallet's freight class and the lane, so it is quoted.

### How do you measure a pallet for shipping?

Measure length, width and height at the widest points, including the pallet and any overhang, and round up to the next inch. Weigh the whole unit, pallet included. Those numbers set the freight class and the rate, and LTL carriers reweigh and remeasure what you declare.

### What freight class is a pallet?

A pallet has no class of its own; what is on it, and how dense the whole unit is, decides. A dense pallet of bottled goods can land at class 55 or 60, while a light pallet of foam under 6 lbs per cubic foot is class 175 or higher where density sets the class. Local box truck runs are not priced by class at all.

### How can I ship a pallet for less?

Ship from a dock, keep the pallet dense and square, and get the weight and dimensions right the first time so it is not reclassed. Inside Southern California, putting several pallets on one box truck run spreads the base rate across all of them, though a load over 1,000 lbs is priced on the quote.

### Can you deliver a pallet the same day?

Often, yes. Around Los Angeles and Southern California a pallet can go the same day by box truck when it is booked during business hours and ready at pickup. Pallets that ship LTL out of the region move on the LTL carrier's schedule for that lane.

---

# Same day courier service in Los Angeles

URL: https://www.alvylogistics.com/courier/same-day
Type: Service
Updated: 2026-10-08

A same day courier service picks up a shipment and delivers it the same day, usually driving it straight from pickup to drop-off. Alvy Logistics runs same day courier service for businesses from Fresno to San Diego by car, cargo van or box truck, from $45 by car for the first 20 miles. Coordinators answer Monday to Friday, 8am to 8pm Pacific.

- Phones answered: Monday to Friday, 8am to 8pm Pacific
- Vehicles: Car, cargo van or 20 to 26 ft box truck
- Starting at: $45 by car for the first 20 miles

## What our same day courier service includes

- On-demand pickups: Booked by phone or in our online shipper portal, matched to a driver and vehicle for the load, and tracked to the door with live driver location and delivery photos.
- Direct drive: An on-demand run goes from pickup straight to the delivery address, not onto a shared route.
- Rush and emergency runs: A part, a signed document or stock that has to move now, sent with the first suitable driver who can make the deadline.
- Scheduled runs and dedicated drivers: A recurring pickup at a set time each day or week, quoted per stop or per route, or a driver and vehicle booked for a day or set hours.
- After-hours and weekend runs: Night (8pm to 8am) and weekend pickups and deliveries, arranged with a coordinator during phone hours and priced on your quote.
- Vehicle matched to the load: Envelopes and parcels go by car, cartons and parts by cargo van, and pallets by box truck.

## Same day courier rates in Los Angeles, starting at

Starting rates from the Alvy Logistics 2026 courier rate card. The base rate covers the first 20 trip miles and is also the minimum charge for that vehicle.

| Vehicle | Starting at | What changes the price |
|---|---|---|
| Car (documents, small parcels) | $45 for the first 20 miles | Mileage after 20 miles is quoted; waiting or extra stops are added if the run needs them |
| Cargo van (cartons, parts, light freight) | $80 for the first 20 miles | Mileage after 20 miles is quoted; waiting, extra stops or heavy pieces are added when the job has them |
| 20 to 26 ft box truck (pallets, bulky freight) | $200 for the first 20 miles | Mileage after 20 miles is quoted; a liftgate, pallet jack or second person is added if the load needs one |
| After-hours, weekend or holiday run | Quoted with the run | Pickup and delivery times, the vehicle, the distance and how far ahead it is booked |
| Dedicated driver and vehicle | Quoted for a day or set hours | Vehicle size, hours booked, the area covered and how often you need the block |

Waiting time, added stops, heavy loads and other extras are added only when the job needs them and listed on your written quote before the driver is dispatched. Tolls pass through at cost and a fuel surcharge may apply. For an exact price, request a quote or call (661) 344-8766. Rates as of 2026-10-08.

## How does same day delivery work?

A same day courier service takes a shipment from one business address to another on the day you book it. You tell us where the shipment is, where it is going and when it has to be there. A driver with the right vehicle collects it and takes it straight to the delivery address, with no sorting center in between.

1. **Book it** by calling (661) 344-8766 or in our online shipper portal once your account is set up. If your company runs its own TMS, it can usually be connected to the portal.
2. **We match the vehicle**: a car, a cargo van or a 20 to 26 ft box truck, depending on size and weight.
3. **The driver collects** from your office, dock, store or job site.
4. **It is delivered** to the person or dock you name. In the portal you can follow the driver's live location, onsite updates, and pickup and delivery updates with photos, so you have proof of delivery as soon as it is handed over.

The drivers are a network of vetted independent contractors with cars, cargo vans and box trucks, so the vehicle is picked for the load rather than the other way round.

## On demand or scheduled: which same day delivery service fits?

| | On demand | Scheduled | After hours or weekend |
|---|---|---|---|
| When it runs | Same day, booked when needed | A fixed day and window, every time | 8pm to 8am, or Saturday and Sunday |
| How you book it | Call or portal | Set up once with a coordinator | Arranged with a coordinator during phone hours |
| How it is priced | Vehicle base rate plus mileage | Quoted per stop or per route | Courier rate plus the night or weekend timing, quoted up front |

On demand suits the one-off: closing documents for an escrow office, a sample for a client meeting, a replacement part for a service call. When the same run starts repeating every week, it usually costs less as a scheduled route, and a busy day can be covered by a dedicated driver and vehicle booked for the day or set hours. Recurring store, supplier and job-site runs are covered on our [final mile delivery](https://www.alvylogistics.com/courier/final-mile-delivery) page.

## Rush delivery and emergency delivery

Most same-day courier work is urgent by definition. A rush delivery is one where the clock is the whole point: a replacement part for a stopped production line, a court filing, a lab specimen, a missing piece for a shoot or an install. Tell us the deadline when you call. We will tell you honestly whether a driver can make it, which depends on where a suitable driver is, the distance and Los Angeles traffic at that hour. Once the driver is moving, the portal shows where they are, so you can tell the person waiting at the other end when to expect them.

On the 2026 rate card, a rush run is priced like any on-demand courier run: the vehicle base rate plus mileage, with extras only when the job needs them. Specimen, device and pharmacy work for labs, clinics and device companies is covered on [medical courier service](https://www.alvylogistics.com/courier/medical).

## After-hours, weekend and overnight courier service

Phones are answered Monday to Friday, 8am to 8pm Pacific, so night and weekend runs are arranged with a coordinator during those hours:

- **After hours (8pm to 8am).** Typical uses are evening store deliveries, early-morning job-site drops and loads that must arrive before a business opens.
- **Weekends.** Set up a Saturday or Sunday run during the week.
- **Holidays.** Ask as early as you can.

The night, weekend or holiday timing is added to the courier rate and listed on your written quote.

An overnight courier service, in the sense of a driver moving your shipment at night, is an after-hours run arranged in advance: collected in the evening, delivered in the window you agree. When the shipment has to reach a distant city quickly, an [on-board courier](https://www.alvylogistics.com/courier/on-board-courier) can fly with it from LAX, SAN or SFO.

## How much is same day delivery?

Same day delivery is priced on the vehicle and the trip miles. Each vehicle has a base rate that includes the first 20 miles from pickup to delivery: $45 by car, $80 by cargo van and $200 by 20 to 26 ft box truck. A run of 20 miles or less pays the base rate alone, before any extras. After the first 20 miles, mileage can start as low as $1.20 a mile, depending on the vehicle and the route, and it is set on your written quote.

If a load is borderline between two vehicles, send the weight and dimensions before you book: a cargo van starts at $80 against $45 for a car, before any mileage. Van and truck capacities are on [box truck and Sprinter van delivery](https://www.alvylogistics.com/courier/box-truck-delivery), and the [Los Angeles courier cost guide](https://www.alvylogistics.com/guides/courier-cost-los-angeles) explains what sets the price of a run. Extras such as waiting, added stops or a second person are added only when the job needs them and listed on your quote. For an exact price, send the addresses and load details through a [quote request](https://www.alvylogistics.com/request-quote) or call (661) 344-8766.

## Same day courier in Los Angeles and Southern California

Alvy Logistics is based in Valencia, on the I-5 in the Santa Clarita Valley, and runs same day work as part of its [courier service in Los Angeles](https://www.alvylogistics.com/courier) across the county: the Santa Clarita Valley, [the San Fernando Valley](https://www.alvylogistics.com/courier/san-fernando-valley), downtown, [Santa Monica and the Westside](https://www.alvylogistics.com/courier/westside), the LAX area, [Long Beach and the South Bay](https://www.alvylogistics.com/courier/long-beach-south-bay) and [Pasadena](https://www.alvylogistics.com/courier/pasadena-san-gabriel-valley). Beyond the county, contractor drivers based in each area run same day work in [Orange County](https://www.alvylogistics.com/courier/orange-county), the [Inland Empire](https://www.alvylogistics.com/courier/inland-empire), [San Diego](https://www.alvylogistics.com/courier/san-diego), [Ventura and Santa Barbara](https://www.alvylogistics.com/courier/ventura-santa-barbara) and [Fresno and the Central Valley](https://www.alvylogistics.com/courier/fresno), on the same rate card.

In Los Angeles, traffic sets the delivery window more than distance does. A short crosstown run at 5pm can take longer than a longer run up the I-5 mid-morning, so give us the deadline as well as the addresses.

## What to have ready when you book

The pickup and delivery addresses, a contact at each end, what is going (pieces, weight, size), the deadline, and access details such as a loading dock, a gate code, a suite number or parking. With those in hand, most same day courier jobs can be priced and dispatched on the first call.

## What same day courier service does not cover

- Household goods or residential moves
- Hazardous materials, or anything that has to stay under refrigeration
- Consumer errands, food or gift delivery
- Same-day delivery to a distant city, which needs an on-board courier on a flight

## Same day courier questions

### What is a same day courier service?

A same day courier service collects a shipment and delivers it on the same day, normally with one driver taking it straight from pickup to delivery. It is used for documents, parts, samples, specimens and stock that cannot wait for a parcel network or a next-day freight service.

### Who does same day delivery in Los Angeles?

Parcel carriers, app-based delivery platforms and local business couriers all run some form of same day delivery. Alvy Logistics is a business courier: cars, cargo vans and 20 to 26 ft box trucks from a network of vetted independent-contractor drivers, booked by phone or in our online shipper portal, with starting rates published on this page.

### How much is same day delivery in Los Angeles?

With Alvy Logistics a same day courier run starts at $45 by car, $80 by cargo van and $200 by 20 to 26 ft box truck, each covering the first 20 miles. Mileage after that is set on your written quote. After-hours or weekend timing, waiting and extra stops are quoted when the run needs them.

### What is the difference between on demand and scheduled delivery?

On demand delivery is booked when you need it and runs straight from pickup to drop-off, priced at the vehicle base rate plus mileage. Scheduled delivery repeats on a fixed day and window and is quoted per stop or per route, which is usually cheaper for regular runs.

### Can you handle an emergency delivery at night or on a weekend?

Yes. Night (8pm to 8am) and weekend runs are arranged in advance, with the timing priced on your written quote. Phones are answered Monday to Friday, 8am to 8pm Pacific, so set up a night or weekend run with a coordinator during those hours, as early as you know you need it.

### Do you offer overnight courier service?

Yes, as an after-hours run arranged in advance. A driver collects in the evening and delivers in the window agreed at booking, with the after-hours timing listed on your quote. When a shipment has to reach a distant city quickly, an on-board courier can fly with it instead.

### Which courier service is the fastest?

For a local delivery, a direct on-demand run is the fastest option, because the driver goes straight from pickup to drop-off with no sorting center and no other stops. What limits it is where the nearest suitable driver is, the distance and Los Angeles traffic. For another city, an on-board courier on a passenger flight is faster than any ground service.

---

# Courier Service in the San Fernando Valley, from Chatsworth to Glendale

URL: https://www.alvylogistics.com/courier/san-fernando-valley
Type: Service area
Updated: 2026-10-08

Alvy Logistics offers a courier service in the San Fernando Valley for businesses. Independent-contractor drivers who work the Valley take same-day and scheduled runs in Burbank, Glendale, Van Nuys, Sherman Oaks, North Hollywood and Chatsworth, in a car, cargo van or 20 to 26 ft box truck matched to the load. Runs start at $45 by car, a base that covers the first 20 trip miles.

- Serving: Burbank, Glendale, Van Nuys, Sherman Oaks and the rest of the Valley
- Drivers: Independent contractors who work the area
- Starting at: $45 a car run, first 20 trip miles included

- Down the I-5 through the Newhall Pass: From the Valencia address, the I-5 reaches the Newhall Pass, where the 14 joins it, after about 14 miles. A few miles on, the 405 branches off through Mission Hills toward Van Nuys and Sherman Oaks, while the 5 continues down the east side of the Valley to Burbank and Glendale.
- The Valley's freeway grid: The 101 runs along the south edge through Encino and Sherman Oaks, where the 405 crosses it, then turns south into the Cahuenga Pass at the junction where the 170 heads north to the I-5 and the 134 heads east through Burbank and Glendale. The 118 crosses the north Valley from Chatsworth to the 210.
- Van Nuys Airport: Los Angeles World Airports, which runs Van Nuys Airport (VNY), describes it as one of the world's busiest general aviation airports, dedicated to non-commercial flying, with more than 100 businesses on its 730 acres. Name the hangar or office and its gate when you book.
- Chatsworth's industrial land: Los Angeles City Planning's 2015 SurveyLA report describes postwar Chatsworth as one of the Valley's foremost manufacturing and employment centers, with land near the railroad rezoned for laboratories, plants and high-tech firms.
- Burbank's Media District: The City of Burbank calls itself the Media Capital of the World, and its Media District holds studio lots, production offices and post-production space.

## Courier work we run across the Valley

- Releases from Valencia: Cartons or pallets from the Valencia warehouse to a Valley store, office or job site, about 24 to 35 miles by road.
- Production deliveries: Drives, paperwork and equipment cases between production offices, post houses and studio lots in Burbank and North Hollywood.
- Parts for Valley plants: Components, tooling and samples between manufacturers in Chatsworth, Van Nuys and Sun Valley and their suppliers.
- Ventura Boulevard office runs: Signed originals, checks and files between Sherman Oaks and Encino offices, banks and the Van Nuys courthouses.
- Medical pickups: Specimens and supplies, sealed by the sender, from clinics and medical office buildings to labs, STAT or on a set route.
- Van Nuys Airport runs: Parts and documents for aviation businesses around the airport, by car or cargo van.

## San Fernando Valley courier pricing, starting at

Every Valley run is priced on the 2026 Alvy Logistics courier card. Short hops inside the Valley pay only the vehicle's base rate; longer trips add mileage after the 20th mile.

| Vehicle | Starting at | Burbank to Glendale (about 6 miles) |
|---|---|---|
| Car: documents, drives, small parts, sealed specimens | $45 for the first 20 trip miles | $45 |
| Cargo van: cartons, equipment cases, samples | $80 for the first 20 trip miles | $80 |
| 20 to 26 ft box truck: pallets, set pieces, fixtures | $200 for the first 20 trip miles | $200 |

There is no charge to bring a driver to you: drivers work the Valley, so a run between two Valley addresses is billed on its own trip miles, and Burbank to Glendale stays at the base rate. After the first 20 miles, mileage can start as low as $1.20 a mile, depending on the vehicle and the route, and it is set on your written quote. Tolls, when a route uses one, are passed through at cost, and a fuel surcharge may apply. Extras such as a second stop, wait time, a liftgate, night or weekend work are added only when the job needs them and listed on your written quote, so ask for one before you book. Rates as of 2026-10-08.

## What does a courier service in the San Fernando Valley handle?

Alvy Logistics runs a business courier service in the San Fernando Valley, from Chatsworth and Northridge across to Burbank and Glendale, California. Independent-contractor drivers who work the Valley take the local runs, by car, cargo van or 20 to 26 ft box truck: box trucks are available with the Valley drivers too. The company has one building, a 58,000 sq ft warehouse in Valencia, north of the Newhall Pass, and no Valley office or counter, so a driver comes to your door, dock or studio gate.

The work Valley businesses send by courier falls into a few groups:

- **Production runs** in Burbank and North Hollywood: drives, paperwork, wardrobe boxes and equipment cases between production offices, post houses and stages.
- **Parts and samples** for manufacturers around Chatsworth, Van Nuys and Sun Valley.
- **Office and legal work** along Ventura Boulevard in Sherman Oaks and Encino: originals for signature, checks and files between law and accounting offices, banks and the Van Nuys courthouses. Custody forms and delivery receipts are signed at handoff by the Valley driver, as the driver, whenever your process requires it.
- **Medical pickups** from clinics and medical office buildings, covered further down.

Urgent one-off jobs follow the [same-day courier](https://www.alvylogistics.com/courier/same-day) process. For the rest of the county, see our [courier service across Los Angeles County](https://www.alvylogistics.com/courier).

## How much does a courier cost in the San Fernando Valley?

Valley runs start at $45 by car, $80 by cargo van and $200 by box truck. The minimum charge is the vehicle's base rate, and it includes the first 20 miles from pickup to drop-off. Beyond that, mileage is added and set on your written quote. Many trips inside the Valley stay at the base rate, as the Valley runs below show; anything extra is quoted.

| Valley trip | Road miles, approx. | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Burbank to Glendale | 6 miles | Base rate only |
| Chatsworth to Van Nuys Airport | 10 miles | Base rate only |
| Sherman Oaks to Glendale | 13 miles | Base rate only |
| Valencia warehouse to Northridge | 24 miles | Base rate plus mileage |
| Valencia warehouse to Van Nuys | 26 miles | Base rate plus mileage |
| Valencia warehouse to Burbank | 30 miles | Base rate plus mileage |
| Valencia warehouse to Glendale | 35 miles | Base rate plus mileage |

Miles are routed between central points, or from the Valencia address, so read them as a guide. Valley pickups carry no charge to bring the driver to you, long runs have no separate long-distance band, tolls pass through at cost and a fuel surcharge may apply. Wait time, added stops, a liftgate and night or weekend work are added only when the job needs them. Your written quote uses your two real addresses and lists every charge before a driver is booked. Our [courier cost guide](https://www.alvylogistics.com/guides/courier-cost-los-angeles) explains how a quote is built.

## How quickly can stock from the Valencia warehouse reach the Valley?

The Valley begins just south of the Newhall Pass, so these runs are short. By road from the warehouse, Northridge and Chatsworth are about 24 to 25 miles, Van Nuys about 26, Sherman Oaks and North Hollywood about 28, Burbank about 30 and Glendale about 35. Routing estimates put those drives at roughly 35 to 45 minutes on clear freeways; weekday peaks on the I-5 and the 405 add time, and the coordinator sets the delivery window with that in mind.

## Which Valley cities and neighborhoods do you serve?

### Burbank, Glendale and North Hollywood

Burbank and Glendale are separate cities on the Valley's east side, about 6 miles apart. In Burbank much of the work runs between studio lots, production offices and post houses. Glendale mixes downtown office towers with medical buildings and large retail. North Hollywood's production offices and post houses sit about 4 miles from Burbank, so runs between them stay at the base rate.

### Van Nuys, Sherman Oaks and Encino

Van Nuys holds the central Valley's courthouses and civic offices, light industry, and the aviation businesses around its airport. South of it, Ventura Boulevard carries law, accounting and financial offices and medical buildings through Sherman Oaks and Encino, about 4 miles apart.

### Chatsworth and Northridge

At the northwest corner, Chatsworth's business parks send components, tooling and samples to customers and suppliers across the region. Northridge is about 5 miles away and Sherman Oaks about 18. Deliveries that continue over the Sepulveda Pass are covered on our [Santa Monica and the Westside](https://www.alvylogistics.com/courier/westside) page.

## Is there a medical courier for Sherman Oaks and the rest of the Valley?

Yes. Medical courier work in Sherman Oaks, Encino and across the Valley links medical office buildings, outpatient clinics and hospital campuses with reference labs, as STAT runs or on a standing schedule. The clinic or lab packs, seals and labels every specimen, in UN3373 packaging where the rules require it, and the package is handed over unopened. The vehicles have no powered cooling, so a specimen that has to stay cold travels in the sender's insulated packaging, and controlled substances are not carried. Our [medical courier](https://www.alvylogistics.com/courier/medical) page explains routed pickups and the shipper's packing duties.

## What do you need to book a Valley courier run?

Send the pickup and delivery addresses, the piece count and weights, the delivery window, and how each place receives: a dock, a suite, a front desk or a studio gate. For a studio lot, add the stage or building number and confirm with your contact that the driver's name is on the gate list. For a standing route, list the stops and the days. Once your account is open, Valley runs are booked and tracked in our online shipper portal, which shows the driver's location as they cross the Valley, a note when they reach the studio gate or the dock, and pictures from both ends of the run, and businesses are invoiced. For a written quote, phone (661) 344-8766, weekdays from 8am to 8pm Pacific, or send a [quote request](https://www.alvylogistics.com/request-quote).

## Outside the scope of the Valley courier service

- A counter or office in the Valley: drivers collect at your door, dock or studio gate
- Household goods or residential moves
- Controlled substances
- Loads that the vehicle itself must keep cold: courier cars, vans and trucks are ambient
- Truckload or LTL shipments, which are quoted on the freight side

## Questions about courier service in the San Fernando Valley

### How much is a courier in the San Fernando Valley?

On the 2026 card a run costs its base rate up to 20 trip miles: $45 by car, $80 by cargo van or $200 by 20 to 26 ft box truck. Burbank to Glendale, about 6 miles, stays there. From the Valencia warehouse to Van Nuys, about 26 miles, mileage past 20 miles is added to the base and set on your written quote.

### Can I get a same-day courier in Sherman Oaks?

Yes. Same-day runs pick up in Sherman Oaks and deliver across the Valley or beyond, priced on trip miles. Sherman Oaks to Burbank is about 9 miles and Sherman Oaks to Glendale about 13 on the 101 and the 134, so both stay inside the $45 car base.

### Is medical courier service available in Sherman Oaks and Encino?

Yes, for clinics, medical office buildings, labs and hospital campuses along Ventura Boulevard and across the Valley, as STAT runs or on a set route. The driver carries each specimen sealed, exactly as the sender packed it. Vehicles have no powered cooling, and controlled substances are not carried.

### Can a courier deliver to a studio lot in Burbank?

Yes, to the gate, stage or office you name. Most studio lots require a driver's name on the gate list before arrival, so ask your contact on the lot to arrange it, and put the stage, building or office number in the booking. North Hollywood to Burbank is about 4 miles, inside the base rate.

### Do you serve Glendale, California, or Glendale, Arizona?

Glendale, California only: the Los Angeles County city on the east side of the Valley, crossed by the 134 and the 2. Arizona is outside the courier area, which runs from Fresno to San Diego. Glendale is about 35 miles from the Valencia warehouse.

### Are your San Fernando Valley drivers local?

Yes. Independent-contractor drivers who work the Valley take the local runs, so you pay nothing to bring a driver to you. Alvy Logistics has no Valley office or counter; its only building is the Valencia warehouse, north of the Newhall Pass, and drivers collect at your door, dock or gate.

---

# Short term warehouse storage, without an annual lease

URL: https://www.alvylogistics.com/warehousing/short-term-storage
Type: Service
Updated: 2026-10-07

Short term warehouse storage means keeping inventory in a working warehouse for weeks or months instead of signing a multi-year lease. Alvy Logistics offers it from a 58,000 sq ft ambient warehouse in Valencia, California, on terms that are not annual-only: a season, a few months or longer. Pallet storage starts at $25 a month, plus $12 per pallet in and out.

- Terms: Not annual-only: a season, a few months or years
- Storage: From $25 per pallet per month, or $2.50 per sq ft for dedicated space
- Warehouse: One ambient, dry building in Valencia, CA

## What our short term warehouse storage covers

- Overflow space: Stock your own building cannot hold, billed for what is actually here rather than for a footprint.
- Seasonal peaks: Inventory built up ahead of a busy season and released as it sells.
- Space between buildings: Inventory held while you relocate your business, renovate or wait for a new lease to start.
- Project staging: Fixtures, furniture and materials held until a site is ready, then delivered in the order the project needs them.
- Long term and dead storage: Slow sellers, last season's goods and spare stock kept out of your working space for as long as it takes.
- Handling in and out: Pallets counted in and released from $12 each way, and containers unloaded, quoted per container.

## Short term warehouse storage cost, starting at

From the Alvy Logistics 2026 warehouse rate card. You choose how storage is billed: by the pallet or by a footprint held for you.

| Service | Starting at | What changes the price |
|---|---|---|
| Pallet storage (the usual unit for overflow) | $25 per pallet per month | Billed monthly for each pallet while it is here |
| Dedicated floor space | $2.50 per sq ft per month | Footprint size, billed monthly for the agreed term |
| Pallet handling in and out | $12 per pallet each way | Relabeling or unit counts while stock is here, from $38 an hour |
| Container unloading | Quoted per container | Container size and whether it is floor-loaded |

Give us your dates and ask for a written quote for that period, whether it is one season or several years. Rates as of 2026-10-08.

## What is short term warehouse storage?

Short term warehouse storage is space in a working warehouse that you use for weeks or months, without committing to a multi-year lease. You send the inventory, the warehouse receives it and stores it, and you call it back when you need it. At Alvy Logistics that means a 58,000 sq ft ambient, dry warehouse in Valencia, in north Los Angeles County, on terms that are not annual-only.

It is not self-storage. This is business inventory in a commercial warehouse, received, counted and released by warehouse staff, with stock visible in the Logiwa client portal.

## When do businesses need temporary warehouse storage?

- **Overflow.** Your own building is full, and the extra stock needs somewhere to go until it sells down.
- **Seasonal peaks.** Inventory builds ahead of a busy season and needs space for a few months, not a year.
- **Relocations and lease gaps.** Your business is changing buildings, renovating, or waiting for a new lease to start.
- **Project staging.** Fixtures, furniture and materials wait until a site is ready. See [hospitality and FF&E logistics](https://www.alvylogistics.com/industries/hospitality-ffe-logistics) for how that works on hotel and commercial projects.
- **Excess inventory.** An oversized buy, a discontinued line or returned stock needs to leave your working space while you decide what to do with it.

## Overflow storage or dedicated space?

These are two different arrangements, and we will tell you which one fits rather than selling you the bigger one.

| | Overflow storage | Dedicated space |
|---|---|---|
| How it is billed | For the inventory actually in the building | Monthly on the footprint held for you |
| Starting at | $25 per pallet per month | $2.50 per sq ft per month |
| Best for | Stock levels that rise and fall | A fixed area you want held for the whole term |
| Between shipments | Less stock here means a smaller bill | The space stays held for you |

Dedicated space is billed for however long the agreed term runs, because the point is that the footprint is yours. If paying only for what you are using suits your inventory better, overflow storage by the pallet is the answer. Our [pallet storage](https://www.alvylogistics.com/warehousing/pallet-storage) page has the full per-pallet rate breakdown and the cost formula.

## How much does short term warehouse space cost?

| Request | How it is priced | Starting at |
|---|---|---|
| 20 pallets of seasonal stock for 3 months | 20 x $25 x 3, plus $12 in and $12 out per pallet | $1,980 |
| A 1,000 sq ft footprint held for 3 months | 1,000 x $2.50 x 3, plus handling | $7,500 plus handling |
| A floor-loaded 40 ft container of overflow | Unloading quoted per container, then storage per pallet | Quoted, plus storage from $25 per pallet |

If stock needs relabeling or rework while it is here, that is special project labor from $38 an hour. Send the pallet count and your dates for a written quote that lists each charge before the stock arrives.

## How much warehouse space do I need?

Count pallets first, then convert. Each 48 by 40 inch pallet takes a little over 13 square feet of floor on its own. Product that can be floor-stacked two high needs half the floor per pallet, while product that cannot take weight needs a rack position. A held footprint also has to leave room to walk, lift and stage around the stock, so plan on more square feet than the pallets alone. Send us the pallet count, dimensions, weights and whether the product stacks, and we will work out the space with you.

## Excess inventory, long term warehouse storage and dead storage

Some stock is not short term at all. Dead storage is inventory that will not move for months: slow sellers, last season's goods, spare parts or display fixtures between campaigns. It still needs a dry, organized place to sit, but it should not take up your working space. Long term storage uses the same building and the same billing by the pallet or the footprint.

## Getting inventory in and out

Pallets are counted in against your packing list from $12 per pallet. When you need stock back, it goes out from $12 per pallet: to your own carrier at our dock, on a local [box truck delivery](https://www.alvylogistics.com/courier/box-truck-delivery) with Alvy as the carrier, or as LTL or truckload beyond Southern California, arranged through Accurate Freight Systems LLC, the licensed property broker in our group.

If a short lease of your own is the other option on the table, [3PL vs own warehouse](https://www.alvylogistics.com/guides/3pl-vs-renting-warehouse-space) runs the numbers side by side. For a price, send what the product is, how many pallets or square feet, and the start and end dates. A coordinator answers (661) 344-8766 from 8am to 8pm Pacific on weekdays, or you can [request a quote](https://www.alvylogistics.com/request-quote) online and get it in writing.

Short-term space is one of several [warehousing services](https://www.alvylogistics.com/warehousing) run from the same building.

## What short-term storage here is not for

- Bonded storage: this is not a bonded warehouse
- Hazmat or dangerous goods
- Refrigerated or frozen goods: there is no climate-controlled storage
- Food or supplements: this is not an FDA-registered facility
- Household goods or residential moves

## Short term warehouse storage questions

### Can you rent a warehouse for a day?

Not here: storage is priced by the month. If a load only needs to wait between a pickup and a later delivery, a courier pickup and hold covers it: the held freight sits at the Valencia warehouse, and the hold is added to the delivery and listed on your quote. For anything longer, storage starts at $25 per pallet per month.

### How much does short term warehouse storage cost?

Overflow pallets start at $25 each per month, a held footprint at $2.50 per sq ft per month, and handling at $12 per pallet each way. A 1,000 sq ft footprint kept for three months starts at $7,500 before handling. Send your dates for a written quote.

### Is there a minimum term?

Storage is billed by the month, business clients are invoiced, and terms are not annual-only, so you can book space for one peak season or keep a footprint for several years. Send the dates you have in mind, and say if they might move, so the quote fits the time you actually need.

### What is the difference between overflow storage and dedicated space?

Dedicated space is a footprint held for you and billed monthly on that footprint for the agreed term, so it stays yours between shipments. Overflow storage is a different arrangement: you pay for the inventory actually in the building, usually by the pallet, so the bill follows your stock level.

### What is flex warehouse space?

The term is used two ways: for small commercial units that mix office and warehouse space, and for on-demand storage inside someone else's warehouse with no long lease. What we offer is the second kind: space in a working 58,000 sq ft warehouse, with our staff handling receiving and releases.

### Can you store excess inventory long term?

Yes. Long term warehouse storage uses the same building and the same monthly billing, by the pallet or by the footprint. Slow sellers and spare stock can stay for years; tell us the expected term and the quote is written for it.

---

# Expedited freight services from Los Angeles

URL: https://www.alvylogistics.com/freight/expedited
Type: Service
Updated: 2026-10-08

Expedited freight services put a time-critical load on its own truck, driven straight from pickup to delivery with no terminal stops and no other freight on board. Alvy Logistics runs expedited box truck freight around Southern California from $200 for the first 20 miles. Longer expedited lanes are arranged through Accurate Freight Systems LLC, the licensed property broker in our group.

- Local expedited: Box truck run from $200 for the first 20 miles
- Longer lanes: Arranged through Accurate Freight Systems LLC, quoted per load
- Faster than a truck: On-board courier from LAX, SAN and SFO

## What our expedited freight services include

- Exclusive-use truck: Your freight only, loaded at pickup and driven to delivery, never transferred at a terminal.
- Same day freight in Southern California: Box truck runs within the Los Angeles basin and out to Orange County and the Inland Empire, dispatched once the freight is ready and often delivered the same day.
- Nights and weekends: Runs scheduled between 8pm and 8am or on a weekend when the deadline calls for it, with the timing charge listed on your quote.
- Longer expedited lanes: Urgent loads leaving Southern California run direct with an authorized motor carrier that Accurate Freight Systems LLC books.
- Ready for a dockless receiver: A liftgate and a pallet jack when the address has no dock, added to your quote, so an urgent delivery does not stall at the door.
- Air when a truck is too slow: An on-board courier hand-carries urgent parts on a commercial flight from LAX, SAN or SFO.

## Expedited freight cost, starting at

Local expedited runs and on-board courier start from published starting-at rates. Expedited lanes leaving Southern California are quoted per load.

| Expedited option | Starting at | What changes the price |
|---|---|---|
| Expedited box truck run, Southern California | From $200 for the first 20 miles | Mileage after 20 miles is quoted; a liftgate, pallet jack or second person is added when the job needs it and listed on your quote |
| Night, weekend or holiday timing | Added when the run needs it | Listed on your quote before the run is booked |
| Expedited lane leaving Southern California | Quoted per load | Miles, equipment, how soon it must arrive, fuel |
| On-board courier (air) | From $315 before travel costs | From $143 dispatch plus $43 an hour, 4-hour minimum; airfare and travel at cost |

Starting-at figures. Waiting time is added only when the job needs it and listed on your quote, and a fuel surcharge may apply. For anything urgent, call for a written quote before the freight moves. Rates as of 2026-10-08.

## What is expedited freight?

Expedited freight services move truck freight on a deadline. Instead of waiting for space on a scheduled LTL route, the shipment gets its own truck, loaded at pickup and driven straight to the delivery address. No terminal transfers, no other shippers' stops, no waiting for a trailer to fill.

That is also why expedited freight shipping costs more. You are paying for a truck and a driver committed to one load, often at short notice and sometimes at night, and very often for the drive back empty.

## Expedited trucking inside Southern California, often the same day

For expedited trucking inside the region, Alvy Logistics is the carrier: our drivers take 20 to 26 ft box trucks direct from pickup to delivery anywhere in Los Angeles County, Orange County or the Inland Empire. Freight that is staged and ready when you call can often move the same day: production parts, store fixtures, or trade show and live event freight. When a deadline needs a truck standing by, a driver and box truck can be booked as a dedicated block for a day or set hours.

Phones are answered Monday to Friday, 8am to 8pm Pacific, but the run does not have to fit those hours. It can be scheduled overnight, between 8pm and 8am, or on a weekend, with the timing charge listed on your quote. Small urgent items that fit a car or a cargo van cost less as a [same-day courier](https://www.alvylogistics.com/courier/same-day) run, which starts at $45 by car.

For the vehicle sizes and what fits in each, see [same day freight delivery by box truck](https://www.alvylogistics.com/courier/box-truck-delivery). Line-down parts runs for plants are covered under [manufacturing logistics](https://www.alvylogistics.com/industries/manufacturing-logistics).

## How does expedited freight shipping work on longer lanes?

When an urgent load has to leave Southern California, such as a machine part for a plant in Phoenix or a display for a trade show in Las Vegas, the lane is arranged through Accurate Freight Systems LLC, the licensed property broker in our group (MC-572734), which finds an authorized motor carrier to run the load direct, on a truck of its own.

Plan around driving time. Federal hours-of-service rules let a property-carrying driver drive at most 11 hours, within a 14-hour window, after 10 consecutive hours off duty ([49 CFR 395.3](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-49/section-395.3)). A lane longer than one driver's day includes a rest, so ask what arrival is realistic before you commit to one downstream, and treat it as an estimate.

## Why does expedited freight cost more?

- **Exclusive use.** One load pays for the whole truck, where LTL splits it across shippers.
- **Short notice.** A truck and driver are pulled onto your job now, not when it suits a schedule.
- **The empty return.** A truck sent direct often comes back without a load, and that drive is part of the price.
- **Timing.** Night, weekend and holiday runs cost more, here as with most carriers.

Locally, an expedited run starts from the same base as any box truck run: from $200, which covers the first 20 miles. After the first 20 miles, mileage can start as low as $1.20 a mile, depending on the vehicle and the route, and it is set on your written quote. Night or weekend timing goes on top and is listed on the quote as its own line.

## Expedited truck, LTL or on-board courier: which one fits?

| Option | How it moves | Typical speed | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| LTL | Shared trailer, through terminals | Business days | Freight that can wait |
| Truckload | Own truck, scheduled pickup | The planned day | Full loads on a plan |
| Expedited truck | Own truck, dispatched now | Often same day within the region | Urgent loads by road |
| On-board courier | A courier on a commercial flight | The next suitable flight | Small, critical parts |

For a full load that is not urgent, [truckload shipping](https://www.alvylogistics.com/freight/truckload) costs less. When the parts are small and the deadline is too tight for a truck, an [on-board courier](https://www.alvylogistics.com/courier/on-board-courier) carries them by air from LAX, SAN or SFO.

## How do I choose an expedited freight company?

- **Find out who hauls it.** Look the company up on FMCSA SAFER. A carrier runs the truck under motor carrier authority; a broker books a carrier under broker authority. Either is legitimate, as long as you know which you are hiring.
- **Ask what truck is coming.** A cargo van and a box truck with a liftgate are different jobs at an address without a dock.
- **Get the charges in writing.** Mileage, waiting time and night or weekend timing belong on the quote, not on the invoice.
- **Ask how you will hear about the load** while it is moving, and who to call if the deadline moves.

## How to book expedited freight services

1. **Call with the details:** pickup and delivery addresses, the deadline, piece count, weight and dimensions.
2. **Say what the receiver needs:** dock hours, a liftgate, a named contact.
3. **Confirm the written quote**, and ask for the estimated arrival.
4. **Have the freight staged** so the driver can load and go.

For a same-day run, call during business hours rather than [requesting a quote](https://www.alvylogistics.com/request-quote) online.

## What expedited freight with us does not cover

- Hazardous materials or dangerous goods, however urgent
- Refrigerated or frozen freight
- Household goods or residential moves
- A promised arrival time: every arrival time is an estimate

## Expedited freight questions

### What does expedited freight mean?

It means freight that cannot wait for a normal LTL or truckload schedule, so it gets a truck of its own and goes straight from pickup to delivery. Nothing else rides with it and it is not handled at terminals, which is what makes it faster and more expensive.

### Is expedited freight service worth it?

It is worth it when being late costs more than the truck: a production line waiting on a part, a store opening, an installation crew standing by on site. If a day or two does not matter, LTL or standard truckload is cheaper. Ask for both prices and compare.

### Can you expedite LTL shipments?

Only so far. An LTL shipment still shares the trailer and crosses terminal docks, even when a carrier sells a faster, time-definite option. The dependable way to speed up a few pallets is to put them on a truck of their own: inside Southern California, a box truck from $200 for the first 20 miles.

### How do I prepare freight for expedited trucking?

Have it wrapped, labeled and staged at the dock when you call, with the weight, dimensions and piece count ready. Tell us the deadline and the receiving hours at the other end, and send the bill of lading and a delivery contact with the load.

### How much does expedited freight cost?

Locally, an expedited box truck run is priced like any box truck run: from $200 for the first 20 miles, then mileage, before extras. Night or weekend timing is added when the run needs it, and the mileage and any timing charge are listed on your written quote. Longer expedited lanes are priced per load by miles, equipment and deadline.

### What if the freight has to arrive faster than a truck can drive?

Then it should fly. An on-board courier travels with the shipment on a commercial flight from LAX, SAN or SFO and hands it over at the other end. It starts at $315 before travel costs and suits small, urgent shipments rather than pallets.

---

# Medical courier service for labs, clinics and pharmacies in Los Angeles

URL: https://www.alvylogistics.com/courier/medical
Type: Service
Updated: 2026-10-08

A medical courier service moves lab specimens, pharmacy orders, supplies and medical devices between healthcare businesses, either STAT or on a scheduled route. Alvy Logistics runs medical courier work from Fresno and Santa Barbara to Los Angeles, the Inland Empire and San Diego for labs, clinics, pharmacies and device companies. The shipper packs each specimen and the driver carries it sealed, as packed, from $45 by car.

- Who books it: Labs, clinics, pharmacies and device companies
- Vehicles: Car, cargo van or 20 to 26 ft box truck
- Starting at: $45 by car for the first 20 miles

## What our medical courier service covers

- STAT specimen runs: One pickup and one delivery, sent with the first suitable driver, for samples that cannot wait for the next scheduled pickup.
- Scheduled lab pickups: Daily or weekly routes through physician offices, clinics and draw sites on fixed windows, quoted per stop or per route.
- Handoff paperwork on request: When your process requires a signed custody form or delivery receipt at handoff, the driver signs it as the driver or carrier. Say so at booking and send the form with the package.
- Medical device and supply delivery: Device cases, instrument sets and supply orders to hospitals, surgery centers and clinics, by car, cargo van or box truck.
- Pharmacy transfers: The pharmacy's packaged orders moved between branches, from central fill sites to stores, and to the clinics it supplies, following its hand-off requirements.
- Booking and tracking: Book in our online shipper portal and follow each run with the driver's live location and photo pickup and delivery updates, or call a coordinator Monday to Friday, 8am to 8pm Pacific.

## Medical courier rates in Los Angeles, starting at

Starting rates from the Alvy Logistics 2026 courier rate card. A STAT or single run pays the vehicle's base rate, which includes the first 20 trip miles and is the lowest charge for that vehicle.

| Run | Starting at | What changes the price |
|---|---|---|
| STAT run by car (specimens, small parcels) | $45 for the first 20 miles | Mileage after 20 miles is quoted; waiting or extra stops are added if the run needs them |
| Cargo van (supply cartons, device cases) | $80 for the first 20 miles | Mileage after 20 miles is quoted; extra stops or a liftgate are added when the delivery needs them |
| 20 to 26 ft box truck (pallets of supplies, equipment) | $200 for the first 20 miles | Mileage after 20 miles is quoted; a pallet jack or second person is added if the load needs one |
| Scheduled lab or pharmacy route | Quoted per stop or per route | Number of stops, pickup windows and days a week |
| Night, weekend or holiday run | Quoted with the run | Pickup and delivery times, the vehicle and the distance |

After the first 20 miles, mileage can start as low as $1.20 a mile, depending on the vehicle and the route, and it is set on your written quote. Waiting time, added stops, dry ice and after-hours or weekend timing are added only when the run needs them and listed on the quote before a driver is sent. Tolls pass through at cost and a fuel surcharge may apply. For an exact price, request a quote or call (661) 344-8766. Rates as of 2026-10-08.

## What is a medical courier service?

A medical courier service is a business courier for healthcare work: it moves lab specimens, pharmacy orders, medical supplies and devices between the places that send and receive them. At Alvy Logistics that means labs, clinics, physician groups, pharmacies and medical device companies across Los Angeles County and our other [service areas](https://www.alvylogistics.com/courier#service-areas), with drivers based in each area and one rate card for all of them.

Whether you call it a medical courier or a medical delivery service, the job is the same: the right package, to the right receiving point, inside the window.

Every run is booked and paid for by the business sending or receiving it. If you are a driver looking for work, applications go through [drive with us](https://www.alvylogistics.com/careers/drive-with-us).

## What is a STAT courier, and when is a routed run better?

STAT comes from the Latin *statim*, "immediately". A STAT run goes out with the first suitable driver and runs straight from pickup to delivery with no other stops: a specimen a lab needs today, a device a surgery center needs before a case, a pharmacy order a clinic has run out of.

A routed run is the opposite: scheduled pickups on a fixed window, such as an afternoon sweep of physician offices and draw sites that ends at the lab. One driver and one vehicle cover many stops, so routes are quoted per stop or per route and cost less per pickup than booking each one STAT.

| | STAT run | Routed run |
|---|---|---|
| When it leaves | As soon as a suitable driver can take it | On a fixed daily or weekly window |
| Stops | One pickup, one delivery | Several pickups, usually ending at the lab |
| How it is priced | Courier rate card: base rate plus mileage | Per stop or per route, quoted |
| Best for | Urgent samples, missing devices, stockouts | Recurring lab pickups and supply runs |

Many labs and clinics need both: a standing route for the daily volume and STAT runs for the exceptions. For urgent work outside healthcare, see [same-day courier service](https://www.alvylogistics.com/courier/same-day).

## Lab specimen transport and pickups

For specimen transport, the driver collects packages that are already packed and closed, carries them unopened and delivers them to the receiving point you name. Each run shows up in our online shipper portal, where your lab can follow its specimen pickups with the driver's live location, onsite updates at each stop, and pickup and delivery updates with photos, so you can see when a draw site has been collected and when the package reached your receiving point. Drivers on specimen routes are trained in bloodborne pathogens, with training records on file.

Courier vehicles are ambient, with no powered cooling. Specimens that must stay cool travel in the shipper's own insulated packaging with cold packs, packed for the length of the run.

## What happens if the chain of custody is broken?

Chain of custody is the record of who held a specimen, and when, from collection to the lab. If it has a gap, the receiving lab or a reviewing party can reject the specimen or challenge the result, and the usual fix is a new collection.

What the courier has to do depends on the program. In federally regulated workplace drug testing, the custody form travels inside the sealed package, and the HHS Mandatory Guidelines do not require couriers to document their part of the trip. Some legal and clinical trial protocols do ask for a signed record at each handoff. If yours does, say so at booking and send the form with the package: the driver signs as the driver or carrier, never as the shipper. The photo updates in the portal show each pickup and delivery as it happens; they sit alongside a signed form, not in place of one.

## What the shipper packs and what the courier does

UN3373 is the identification number for "Biological substance, Category B": patient specimens and cultures that may carry infectious agents but do not meet the Category A definition. Under [49 CFR 173.199](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-49/section-173.199), a Category B package needs triple packaging (a primary receptacle, secondary packaging and a rigid outer packaging) and the UN3373 diamond mark with the shipping name on the outside.

| The shipper (lab, clinic or practice) | The courier |
|---|---|
| Packs each specimen in triple packaging | Collects the closed package as packed |
| Marks UN3373 and "Biological substance, Category B" | Carries it without opening or repacking it |
| Adds insulation and cold packs where the specimen needs them | Carries it in an ambient vehicle, with no powered cooling |
| Puts a responsible person's name and phone number on the package or the paperwork | Delivers to the named receiving point |

For label examples and the full packing sequence, see our guide to [medical courier requirements](https://www.alvylogistics.com/guides/medical-courier-requirements).

## Medical delivery service for devices and supplies

Device companies and distributors book medical delivery runs for instrument sets, device cases, demo units and supply orders going to hospitals, surgery centers and clinics, and for the return trip afterward. Medical and industrial equipment has been a steady part of Alvy's courier work since 2021, much of it for freight brokers and shippers that move equipment in volume. Small cases go by car, multi-case orders and supply cartons by cargo van, and pallets of supplies by box truck with a liftgate. Hospital receiving docks and surgery center front desks keep their own hours and rules, so give us the receiving contact and the hours when you book. Storage and supply programs beyond the courier run are covered under [medical supply logistics](https://www.alvylogistics.com/industries/healthcare-logistics).

## Pharmacy courier runs between business locations

As a pharmacy courier, we carry a pharmacy's packaged orders between business addresses: between branches, from a central fill or distribution site to its stores, and from a pharmacy to the clinics and care facilities it supplies. The pharmacy packs and seals each order and sets the hand-off requirements, and the driver follows them. We do not handle controlled substances.

## HIPAA and business associate agreements, plainly

HHS generally treats a courier that only transports protected health information, with no more than random or infrequent access to it, as a conduit, like the postal service, rather than a business associate ([HHS guidance](https://www.hhs.gov/hipaa/for-professionals/faq/245/are-entities-business-associates/index.html)). Some providers still ask courier vendors to sign a business associate agreement. If yours does, raise it when the account is set up. There is no HIPAA certification for couriers, so treat any badge that suggests one with caution.

## How to compare medical courier companies

Medical courier companies differ less in the vehicle than in the paperwork. Ask who packs each specimen (the shipper, under 49 CFR 173.199 for UN3373) and how the courier carries it, whether drivers on specimen routes have bloodborne pathogens training records, how custody is recorded at each handoff, and whether you can see the driver's location and photo proof of delivery in a portal. Ask what the company does not do as well: Alvy Logistics carries each specimen sealed, as the shipper packed it, and tells you up front which temperature or timing needs fall outside the service.

## How to book a medical courier run

Send the pickup and delivery addresses, what is going and how many pieces, whether it is STAT or recurring, the time window, and any custody form or delivery receipt your process requires. STAT runs are priced on the call; routes are priced after a look at your stops and windows, and business clients are invoiced. If your lab or pharmacy already runs its own TMS, it can usually be connected to our online shipper portal. See the [Los Angeles courier cost guide](https://www.alvylogistics.com/guides/courier-cost-los-angeles) for what sets the price of a run, then [request a quote](https://www.alvylogistics.com/request-quote) or call (661) 344-8766 to set up an account.

Labs and clinics in [Orange County](https://www.alvylogistics.com/courier/orange-county), [San Diego](https://www.alvylogistics.com/courier/san-diego), [Ventura and Santa Barbara](https://www.alvylogistics.com/courier/ventura-santa-barbara) and [Fresno and the Central Valley](https://www.alvylogistics.com/courier/fresno) book the same service, run by drivers based in each area.

## What our medical courier service does not cover

- Packing specimens: the shipper packs, marks and labels every UN3373 package
- Category A infectious substances (UN2814, UN2900) or other hazardous materials
- Controlled substances
- Frozen or chilled specimens that need powered cooling on the road

## Medical courier service questions

### What does a medical courier do?

A medical courier collects packaged specimens, pharmacy orders, supplies and devices and delivers them to the lab, clinic, pharmacy or hospital that needs them, on a STAT run or a scheduled route. The package travels sealed, as the shipper packed it, to a named receiving point. Packing and labeling stay with the shipper.

### What is STAT delivery?

STAT means immediately. A STAT delivery goes out as soon as a suitable driver can take it and runs directly from pickup to delivery with no other stops. With us it is priced on the courier rate card: from $45 by car for the first 20 miles, plus mileage after 20 miles, set on your quote.

### How are lab specimens transported?

The sending lab or clinic packs each specimen in UN3373 triple packaging: a primary receptacle, secondary packaging and a rigid outer packaging, marked with the UN3373 diamond and "Biological substance, Category B". The courier collects the closed package and carries it as packed. Our courier vehicles are ambient, so specimens that must stay cool travel in the shipper's insulated packaging.

### Do you carry UN3373 Category B specimens?

Yes. Category B specimens marked UN3373 ride sealed, exactly as the shipper packed them in triple packaging, and the driver records each handoff. Packing and marking are the shipper's job under 49 CFR 173.199; our UN3373 specimen transport guide walks through the rules.

### What happens if the chain of custody is broken?

If there is a gap in the record of who held a specimen and when, the receiving lab or a reviewing party can reject the specimen or challenge the result, and the usual fix is a new collection. When your process requires it, our driver signs the custody form or delivery receipt at each handoff, as the driver or carrier, so tell us at booking.

### Does a medical courier need a HIPAA business associate agreement?

Usually not. Under HHS guidance, a courier that just carries records or specimens and sees protected health information only randomly or infrequently is generally a conduit, not a business associate. A provider can still ask a courier vendor to sign one, so raise it when the account is set up if yours does.

### How much does a medical courier cost in Los Angeles?

On the Alvy Logistics 2026 card, a STAT run by car starts at $45 for the first 20 miles, a cargo van at $80 and a box truck at $200, with mileage after 20 miles set on your written quote. Scheduled lab routes are quoted per stop or per route. Waiting, extra stops, dry ice and night or weekend timing are listed on the quote when a run needs them.

---

# Pick and pack services from Valencia, California

URL: https://www.alvylogistics.com/fulfillment/pick-and-pack
Type: Service
Updated: 2026-10-07

Pick and pack services are the warehouse work behind every order: pulling the right items from stock, packing them safely with your inserts, labeling the parcel and handing it to the carrier. Alvy Logistics runs pick and pack fulfillment from its Valencia, California warehouse. Order processing starts at $5 per order, and pick and pack labor is quoted per job after we see a sample of your orders.

- Best fit: A few hundred to several thousand orders a month
- Visibility: Orders and stock in the Logiwa client portal
- Starting at: $5 per order processing, labor quoted from sample orders

## What our pick and pack services include

- Order intake: Your store connects through the Logiwa client portal (Shopify, for example), so orders flow to the warehouse and you see each one's status there.
- Picking by SKU: Each item pulled by its SKU from an assigned storage location, not picked by how it looks.
- Packing to your spec: Box size, cushioning, inserts and branded packaging set in a written packing spec.
- Labeling and handoff: Carrier labels applied and parcels handed to parcel carriers at our Valencia dock, for domestic and international orders.
- B2B orders too: Carton and pallet orders picked from the same stock as your parcels.
- Exceptions reported: Short stock, damaged units and bad addresses flagged to you while the order can still be fixed.

## Pick and pack rates, starting at

Pick and pack labor depends on your order profile, so we quote it per job after seeing a sample of real orders. Order processing, storage, receiving and special projects follow the Alvy Logistics 2026 warehouse rate card.

| Service | Starting at | What changes the price |
|---|---|---|
| Order processing | $5 per order | Charged on every order shipped; labor depends on units, SKUs and packing steps |
| Storage | $25 per pallet per month | How many pallets of stock you keep; floor space is $2.50 per sq ft per month |
| Receiving | $12 per pallet | Mixed-SKU pallets and unit counts at receiving |
| Special projects | $38 an hour | Relabeling, rework and one-off packing jobs |

Each parcel's postage depends on weight, box size, destination and service, and is added to that order. Your written quote shows the labor rate and every charge above before you sign. Rates as of 2026-10-08.

## What is pick and pack fulfillment?

Pick and pack services cover the hands-on part of filling an order. Picking means pulling the right items, in the right quantities, from where they are stored. Packing means putting them in a box with the right protection and inserts, sealing it and labeling it for the carrier. Add the handoff to the carrier and you have pick, pack and ship.

At ten orders a day it is simple. At several hundred, it becomes a system: where each SKU lives, how orders are grouped, which box goes with which order, and what happens when an item is short. That system is what you buy from a pick and pack warehouse. It is one part of full [ecommerce fulfillment](https://www.alvylogistics.com/fulfillment), which adds receiving, storage and returns processing around it.

Pick and pack is one stage of [ecommerce logistics](https://www.alvylogistics.com/industries/ecommerce-logistics), between storage and the last mile.

## How do you pick and pack in a warehouse?

Here is how an order moves through our Valencia building:

1. **The order arrives.** Your store connects through the Logiwa client portal (Shopify, for example), so orders flow straight to the warehouse, and you can follow each one there from received to shipped.
2. **It is released for picking.** Orders are released to the floor against a daily cutoff that we agree with you during onboarding.
3. **Items are picked.** A picker pulls each item by SKU from its storage location rather than by eye, which is what keeps a lookalike product from going out in its place.
4. **The order is packed.** The packer checks the items against the order, takes the box your packing spec calls for, adds cushioning, inserts or samples, and seals it.
5. **It is labeled and staged.** The carrier label goes on and the parcel is staged for the parcel carrier pickups at our Valencia dock, on the service the order calls for. International parcels ship from the same dock.
6. **Exceptions are reported.** A short item, a damaged unit or a bad address is flagged to you while it can still be fixed, not saved for a month-end report.

## Order picking: what changes the work

Order picking is often the largest share of the labor in fulfillment, because so much of it is walking and finding. How much work it takes depends on your order profile:

- **Single-item orders** are the fastest: one location, one item, one box.
- **Multi-item orders** need several stops and a check before packing.
- **Large catalogs**, like clothing in many sizes and colors, need more storage locations and careful setup. See [apparel fulfillment](https://www.alvylogistics.com/fulfillment/apparel).
- **Bundles** picked as loose items on every order cost more than bundles built ahead as kits. If the same combination ships often, [kitting and assembly](https://www.alvylogistics.com/fulfillment/kitting-assembly) usually lowers the cost per order.

## Packing: boxes, inserts and branded packaging

Packing is where your brand meets the customer. Your written packing spec sets the box for each order size, the cushioning, which inserts go in which orders, gift notes, and any branded tissue or stickers you supply. Fragile goods get their own rules; for glass and liquids, see [beauty and cosmetics fulfillment](https://www.alvylogistics.com/fulfillment/beauty-cosmetics).

A good spec also saves on shipping. Carriers charge by dimensional weight, so a box that is too big for the order costs more to ship than one that fits.

## What drives pick and pack rates?

Pick and pack rates differ between providers because they are built on different order profiles. At Alvy Logistics, the cost of an order has four parts:

| Part | Starting at | What moves it |
|---|---|---|
| Order processing | $5 per order | Applies to every order shipped |
| Pick and pack labor | Quoted from sample orders | Units and SKUs per order, packing steps, inserts |
| Storage | $25 per pallet per month | How much stock you keep on hand |
| Postage | Set by carrier and service | Weight, box size, destination and service |

The fixed parts add up quickly at volume. A brand shipping 1,500 orders a month from 10 pallets of stock pays 1,500 × $5 = $7,500 in order processing and 10 × $25 = $250 in storage, before labor and postage.

We price labor after seeing a month of real orders, because a per-order rate built on guesses is the one that changes after you sign. Wholesale orders by the carton or pallet are priced differently: see [B2B and wholesale fulfillment](https://www.alvylogistics.com/fulfillment/b2b-wholesale). The surest number is a written quote built on your own orders.

## When should you outsource pick and pack to a 3PL?

Handing pick and pack to a 3PL makes sense when packing eats time you should spend selling, when the back room is full, or when seasonal peaks mean hiring and training people for a few weeks a year. Our fit is a few hundred to several thousand orders a month, with terms that are not annual-only. Under a few hundred orders a month, doing it yourself is usually cheaper, and we will say so instead of taking the account.

Boxes that ship to subscribers on a fixed cycle follow a different workflow: see [subscription box fulfillment](https://www.alvylogistics.com/fulfillment/subscription-box).

## What to send for a pick and pack quote

- A month of order history with units and SKUs per order
- Your SKU count and how inventory arrives (parcel, pallet or container)
- Your packaging, insert and gift note requirements
- Your store platform (Shopify, for example) and any other order sources
- Any wholesale or B2B orders that ship from the same stock
- Your return volume, if you want returns processed and restocked

For storage and handling costs in more detail, read the [3PL and pallet storage pricing guide](https://www.alvylogistics.com/guides/3pl-pallet-storage-pricing). Then send your order sample through the quote form or call (661) 344-8766, and you get a written quote with the labor rate and every charge before you sign.

## What our pick and pack services do not cover

- Food or supplements: this is not an FDA-registered facility
- Hazardous materials, beyond limited-quantity consumer goods accepted after safety data sheet review
- Products that need cool storage: there is no climate-controlled storage
- Under a few hundred orders a month, where in-house is usually cheaper

## Pick and pack questions

### What is pick and pack?

Pick and pack is the part of order fulfillment where a warehouse worker pulls the ordered items from storage (picking), then packs them into a shipping box with protection, inserts and a carrier label (packing). It is the step between an order arriving and the parcel leaving the building.

### What is a pick and pack warehouse?

A pick and pack warehouse stores inventory for one or more sellers and fills individual orders from that stock, rather than only moving full pallets in and out. Alvy Logistics runs pick and pack from one 58,000 sq ft warehouse in Valencia, California.

### What is a pick and pack fee?

It is the labor charge for picking and packing an order. Providers price it per order, per item, or both. At Alvy Logistics order processing starts at $5 per order, and pick and pack labor is quoted after we see your sample orders, so the rate reflects how your orders actually look.

### How much does pick and pack cost?

It depends on units per order, packaging and inserts. With us, expect order processing from $5 per order, pick and pack labor quoted for your order profile, storage from $25 per pallet per month and postage on top. A one-item order costs far less to pack than a five-item gift order.

### When should you outsource pick and pack services?

When packing orders takes time away from selling, when you run out of space, or when seasonal peaks make staffing hard. Outsourcing usually pays once you ship a few hundred orders a month. Below that, packing in-house is often cheaper, and we will tell you so.

### Can you pack orders in our branded boxes and inserts?

Yes. Send your branded boxes, mailers and inserts with the inventory and we pack to your written spec. Packing is priced from a sample of your real orders, and order processing starts at $5 per order.

---

# Courier Services in Santa Monica and the Westside, from West Hollywood to El Segundo

URL: https://www.alvylogistics.com/courier/westside
Type: Service area
Updated: 2026-10-08

Alvy Logistics provides courier services in Santa Monica and across the Westside for businesses. Independent-contractor drivers who work the area take same-day and scheduled runs in Santa Monica, West Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Culver City and El Segundo, in a car, cargo van or 20 to 26 ft box truck matched to the load. A car run starts at $45, which covers the first 20 trip miles.

- Serving: Santa Monica, West Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Culver City and El Segundo
- Drivers: Independent contractors who work the area
- Starting at: $45 by car; most Westside trips stay inside 20 miles

- Over the Sepulveda Pass: From the Valencia address, most runs take the I-5 and the 405 over the Sepulveda Pass into Brentwood and West Los Angeles. LA Metro, which is planning a transit line through the pass, says more than 400,000 people cross it each weekday, so pickups there are easier to time outside the commute peaks.
- Where the 10 meets the coast: The I-10 Santa Monica Freeway runs west from downtown, crosses the 405 in West Los Angeles and ends in Santa Monica, where the McClure Tunnel carries it onto Pacific Coast Highway.
- Silicon Beach: Santa Monica, Venice and Playa Vista make up the coastal tech district often called Silicon Beach, with software and media offices from Ocean Avenue to Playa Vista.
- El Segundo: El Segundo is its own city on the coast, south of the airport, where the 105 ends at Sepulveda Boulevard. Its aerospace and defense offices line the streets east of Sepulveda.

## Westside courier jobs we take on

- Media and tech office runs: Drives, laptops and equipment cases between media and tech offices in Santa Monica, Culver City and Playa Vista.
- Legal and financial paperwork: Originals, closing papers and checks between Beverly Hills and Wilshire offices, banks and escrow companies.
- Showroom and gallery pieces: Samples, framed work and trade orders for West Hollywood and Beverly Hills showrooms and galleries, with white glove placement when a piece needs it.
- El Segundo runs: Parts, drawings and documents between El Segundo aerospace and defense offices and their suppliers.
- Dock and mailroom deliveries: Runs timed to a building's loading dock hours, with check-in at security and handoff to the named recipient.
- Medical pickups: Specimens and supplies, sealed by the sender, between Westside clinics, medical buildings and labs, STAT or on a set route.

## What a Westside courier run costs, starting at

Westside runs follow the 2026 Alvy Logistics courier card. The base rate is the minimum for each vehicle and already pays for the first 20 miles between pickup and drop-off.

| Vehicle | Starting at | Santa Monica to Culver City (about 7 miles) |
|---|---|---|
| Car: contracts, drives, small parcels, sealed specimens | $45 for the first 20 trip miles | $45 |
| Cargo van: cartons, samples, equipment cases | $80 for the first 20 trip miles | $80 |
| 20 to 26 ft box truck: display pieces, furniture for an office, pallets | $200 for the first 20 trip miles | $200 |

There is no charge to bring a driver to you: drivers work the Westside, so a run between two Westside addresses is billed on its own trip miles, and most, like Santa Monica to Culver City, stay at the base rate. After the first 20 miles, mileage can start as low as $1.20 a mile, depending on the vehicle and the route, and it is set on your written quote. Tolls, when a route uses one, are passed through at cost, and a fuel surcharge may apply. Extras such as wait time at a dock or security desk, a second stop, night or weekend work are added only when the job needs them and listed on your written quote, so ask for one before you book. Rates as of 2026-10-08.

## Which courier services can Santa Monica and Westside businesses book?

Alvy Logistics provides courier services in Santa Monica and across the Westside, from West Hollywood and Beverly Hills to the coast and south to El Segundo. Independent-contractor drivers who work the area take the local runs, by car, cargo van or 20 to 26 ft box truck: box trucks are available with the Westside drivers too. The company has one building, its 58,000 sq ft warehouse in Valencia, about 40 miles north by road, and no Westside office or counter, so drivers come to your dock, mailroom or front desk.

Westside courier work follows the businesses along the coast and the boulevards:

- **Media and tech offices** in Santa Monica, Culver City, Venice and Playa Vista: hard drives, laptops for new staff, equipment cases and signed agreements.
- **Legal and financial paperwork** in Beverly Hills and along Wilshire: originals for signature, closing papers and checks between law firms, banks and escrow offices. If a Westside run needs a signed custody form or receipt at handoff, the driver signs it as the driver.
- **Showrooms and galleries** in West Hollywood and Beverly Hills: fabric samples, framed pieces and trade orders, with [white glove delivery](https://www.alvylogistics.com/courier/white-glove-delivery) when a piece has to be carried in and placed.
- **Aerospace work** in El Segundo: parts, drawings and documents between offices and their suppliers.
- **Medical pickups** from clinics and medical office buildings, carried sealed as the sender packed them.

Our [courier service across Los Angeles County](https://www.alvylogistics.com/courier) page covers the other parts of the county.

## How much do courier services in Santa Monica cost?

Westside runs start at $45 by car, $80 by cargo van and $200 by box truck. Each vehicle's base rate pays for the first 20 miles from pickup to drop-off, and mileage after that is set on your written quote. A run that starts and ends on the Westside usually costs the base rate alone. The Westside runs listed here show which trips stay at the base rate, before any extras.

| Westside trip | Road miles, approx. | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Culver City to West Hollywood | 5 miles | Base rate only |
| Santa Monica to Culver City | 7 miles | Base rate only |
| Santa Monica to El Segundo | 10 miles | Base rate only |
| West Hollywood to Santa Monica | 11 miles | Base rate only |
| Valencia warehouse to West Hollywood | 36 miles | Base rate plus mileage |
| Valencia warehouse to Santa Monica | 40 miles | Base rate plus mileage |
| Valencia warehouse to Marina del Rey | 42 miles | Base rate plus mileage |

Miles are routed between city halls, or from the Valencia address. You pay nothing to have a Westside driver come to you; long runs have no separate long-distance band, tolls pass through at cost, and a fuel surcharge may apply. Wait time, added stops and night or weekend work are added only when the job needs them. Your written quote uses your two real addresses and lists every line before a driver is booked; the [courier cost guide](https://www.alvylogistics.com/guides/courier-cost-los-angeles) explains how a quote is built.

## How do couriers handle office towers and loading docks?

Many office towers on Wilshire, in Century City and in downtown Santa Monica receive through a loading dock off a side street or alley, check drivers in at a security desk and keep the freight elevator to set hours. Curb space is scarce and commercial loading zones are time-limited, so a driver without a dock may need time to find a legal place to stop.

The fix is in the booking: the dock entrance and its receiving hours, the suite, the recipient's name, and any vendor check-in the building runs. With those, the driver goes straight to the right door and the run avoids wait time, which is added only when a job needs it and shown on your quote.

## How long does a courier take over the 405 and the 10?

From the Valencia warehouse, West Hollywood is about 36 miles by road, Beverly Hills about 38, Culver City and Santa Monica about 39 to 40, Playa Vista and Marina del Rey about 42, and El Segundo about 46. With clear freeways, routing estimates put Santa Monica at about 50 minutes. Weekday peaks on the 405 and the 10 add a lot to that, and on the Westside itself, surface streets make short trips slower than the mileage suggests. The coordinator sets the delivery window at booking.

From the Valley, Sherman Oaks to Santa Monica is about 14 miles over the pass; our [San Fernando Valley](https://www.alvylogistics.com/courier/san-fernando-valley) page covers that side of the hill.

## Do you serve West Hollywood, Beverly Hills and the rest of the Westside?

### Santa Monica and Venice

Santa Monica is its own city, with offices downtown, along Ocean Avenue and in the business parks on its east side near the 10. Venice, next door, holds creative and tech offices around Abbot Kinney Boulevard, and Marina del Rey is about 4 miles from Santa Monica City Hall.

### Culver City and Playa Vista

Culver City's studio lots and media offices sit between the 10 and the 405, and Playa Vista's office campuses are about 5 miles south, so runs between them stay at the base rate.

### Beverly Hills and West Hollywood

Beverly Hills is home to many legal, financial and medical offices, and West Hollywood to design showrooms, galleries and entertainment offices along Santa Monica Boulevard and Melrose Avenue. The two cities share a border, and the trip from either to Santa Monica is about 8 to 11 miles.

### El Segundo

El Segundo is the south end of the Westside service area, about 9 miles from Culver City. Pickups at the airport and runs that continue to Torrance, Carson or Long Beach are covered on our [Long Beach and the South Bay](https://www.alvylogistics.com/courier/long-beach-south-bay) page.

## What should I send for a Westside courier quote?

Send both addresses, the piece count and weights, the delivery window, and the receiving details: dock or front desk, suite, recipient and any building check-in. For a recurring run, add the stops and days. Westside accounts book runs in our online shipper portal and follow each one there, with the driver's live location on the 10 or the 405, an update once they check in at the building, and photos at pickup and at the front desk or suite where the delivery was left; business clients receive an invoice. For a written quote, phone (661) 344-8766, weekdays from 8am to 8pm Pacific, or use the [quote request form](https://www.alvylogistics.com/request-quote).

## Outside the scope of the Westside courier service

- A Westside office or drop-off counter: drivers collect at your dock, mailroom or front desk
- Household goods or residential moves
- Controlled substances
- Loads the vehicle has to keep cold: courier vehicles carry no cooling equipment
- Personal errands: a business books and pays for every run

## Questions about courier services in Santa Monica and the Westside

### How much do courier services in Santa Monica cost?

Up to 20 trip miles, the 2026 base rate is the whole price: $45 by car, $80 by cargo van, $200 by 20 to 26 ft box truck. Santa Monica to Culver City, about 7 miles, stays there. From the Valencia warehouse to Santa Monica, about 40 miles, mileage past the first 20 is added to the base and set on your written quote.

### Can a courier run between Santa Monica and downtown?

Yes. Downtown to Santa Monica City Hall is about 16 miles on the 10, so the run costs the base rate: $45 by car or $80 by cargo van. Traffic on the 10 decides how long it takes, which is why the coordinator confirms the delivery window when you book.

### Do you offer courier services in West Hollywood and Beverly Hills?

Yes. Both are their own cities, and drivers who work the Westside cover them for offices, showrooms and galleries. Culver City to West Hollywood is about 5 miles and Santa Monica to Beverly Hills about 8, so these runs normally stay at the base rate.

### Can a courier deliver to an office tower with a loading dock?

Yes. Send the dock entrance, its receiving hours, the check-in rule at security and the suite and recipient. Wait time is added only when a run needs it and is listed on your written quote, so booking inside the dock's hours keeps the price at the quote.

### Do you cover El Segundo?

Yes. El Segundo is about 10 miles by road from Santa Monica City Hall, so a car run between them is $45, and about 46 miles from the Valencia warehouse. Pickups at the airport itself and runs on into Torrance, Carson and Long Beach are covered on our Long Beach and South Bay page.

### Are your Westside drivers based in the area?

Yes. Independent-contractor drivers who work the Westside take the runs there, so no one bills you for the trip to reach your door. Alvy Logistics keeps no Westside office or counter: its one site is the Valencia warehouse, and drivers collect at your dock, mailroom or front desk.

---

# Apparel fulfillment services for clothing brands

URL: https://www.alvylogistics.com/fulfillment/apparel
Type: Service
Updated: 2026-10-07

Apparel fulfillment is storing clothing by style, size and color, picking and packing ecommerce and wholesale orders, and handling returns. Alvy Logistics provides apparel fulfillment services from one 58,000 sq ft warehouse in Valencia, California, with folded garments in cartons by SKU and hanging storage for garments on hangers. Pallet storage starts at $25 a month and order processing at $5 per order.

- Who books it: Clothing, activewear, footwear and accessories brands
- Storage: Folded and boxed by SKU, or on hangers
- Starting at: $5 per order processing, $25 per pallet per month

## What our apparel fulfillment services include

- Storage by SKU: Every style, size and color stored and picked as its own SKU, folded in cartons or on hangers, so a medium does not ship as a large.
- Ecommerce orders: Picked and packed to your spec, with your poly bags, tissue, hang tags and inserts, and shipped to US or international addresses.
- Wholesale orders: Size runs and prepacks shipped by the carton to boutiques and retailers, from the same stock as your site orders.
- Returns to your rules: Returns processed against the rules you set: checked, restocked when sellable and set aside when not.
- Relabeling and rework: Retagging, rebagging and relabeling billed as special project labor at $38 an hour.
- Seasonal terms: Terms that are not annual-only, for drops, launches and holiday peaks.

## Apparel fulfillment pricing, starting at

Apparel pick and pack labor depends on units per order and your folding and bagging steps, so it is quoted per job from sample orders. The other rates here come straight from the Alvy Logistics 2026 warehouse rate card.

| Service | Starting at | What changes the price |
|---|---|---|
| Order processing | $5 per order | Units per order, folding or bagging steps, inserts and gift notes |
| Storage | $25 per pallet per month | Styles, sizes and colors on hand, seasonal peaks |
| Receiving | $12 per pallet | Cartons packed by SKU or mixed, unit counts, barcodes |
| Container unloading | Quoted per container | Floor-loaded cartons, sorting by style, size and color |
| Special projects | $38 an hour | Retagging, rebagging, retailer stickers, return rework |

Postage for each order is added by carrier and service. Ask for a written quote: every charge, including the labor rate, is on it before you sign. Rates as of 2026-10-08.

## What is apparel fulfillment?

Apparel fulfillment is the storage and shipping side of a clothing brand: receiving production, storing it by style, size and color, picking and packing ecommerce orders, shipping wholesale orders to stores, and getting returns back on the shelf. Clothing fulfillment is not harder because the goods are fragile. It is harder because of the numbers. One style becomes dozens of SKUs, and a real share of orders come back. Fashion fulfillment adds timing: drops and seasons decide when stock lands and when orders spike.

Alvy Logistics provides apparel fulfillment services and apparel warehousing from one 58,000 sq ft warehouse in Valencia, California, on the I-5 north of Los Angeles. Apparel is on the building's accepted list, and footwear and accessories store as general merchandise.

## Clothing fulfillment by size and color: why apparel has so many SKUs

A single T-shirt in six sizes and five colors is 30 SKUs. Twenty styles like that make 600. Each SKU needs its own barcode, its own storage location and an accurate count, because a picker who grabs the size next to the right one creates a return.

What we need from you, and what we set up:

- **A barcode on every unit or poly bag**, matching the SKU in your order system. If production arrives without them, labeling is a special project at $38 an hour.
- **Cartons packed by SKU.** Mixed cartons from the factory have to be sorted before put-away, which adds time at receiving.
- **A SKU list with style, size and color.** Your store connects through the Logiwa client portal (Shopify, for example), and stock by size shows there, so you can see a size running low before it sells out.

A deep size run spreads stock across many cartons, so we size storage from your SKU list and units on hand rather than guessing. Pallet storage starts at $25 per pallet per month.

## Apparel warehousing: flat, boxed or hanging?

Our standard is folded garments in poly bags, stored in cartons by SKU. It suits T-shirts, knits, activewear, denim, swimwear, socks and most accessories.

Some garments need to stay on hangers, such as tailored jackets, dresses and outerwear that must arrive without creases. Those go into hanging storage, so they stay on the hanger from receiving until they are packed. Tell us which styles hang and how many units when you request a quote, so the space is planned before the goods arrive.

## Footwear and accessories

Footwear ships in its retail box and is stored and picked by size like any other SKU, which is most of what footwear fulfillment services need. Hats, bags and belts follow the same rules as garments, so garment fulfillment and accessory orders run as one workflow rather than two.

## Clothing returns and size exchanges

Fit drives clothing returns, so write your rules down before launch: what counts as sellable, what to do with worn, stained or untagged items, and when a size exchange ships. Returns come back to Valencia and are checked, restocked or set aside to those rules, with refolding or a new tag billed at $38 an hour; our [reverse logistics services](https://www.alvylogistics.com/fulfillment/reverse-logistics) page covers each step.

## Wholesale to boutiques and retailers

Many apparel brands sell to boutiques and department stores alongside their own site. Wholesale orders ship from the same inventory, usually as size runs or prepacks by the carton. Boutique orders tend to be small and mixed, which is close to ecommerce picking. Larger retail orders ship by the carton or pallet and follow the retailer's routing guide. See [B2B and wholesale fulfillment](https://www.alvylogistics.com/fulfillment/b2b-wholesale) for routing guides, GS1-128 labels, advance ship notices and EDI.

If a retailer wants prepacks built (a set ratio of sizes in one carton) or display packs, that is [kitting and assembly](https://www.alvylogistics.com/fulfillment/kitting-assembly) work.

## What to look for in an apparel 3PL

An apparel 3PL should store by style, size and color without mixing near-identical SKUs, keep hanging and folded stock apart, get returns back on the shelf while the size still sells, and ship wholesale orders to the retailer's routing guide from the same inventory as online orders. Ask any clothing 3PL how it handles size exchanges and how returned items are graded. Garment fulfillment here includes hanging storage for pieces that ship on hangers, with pallet storage from $25 a month and order processing from $5 per order.

## Fashion fulfillment for drops, launches and seasonal peaks

Apparel volume is lumpy. A product drop can ship a week of orders in a day, and holiday can run several times a normal week. Our terms are not annual-only, so you can add space for a season and give it back afterwards. For overflow stock between collections, see [short-term storage](https://www.alvylogistics.com/warehousing/short-term-storage).

## Before you request an apparel fulfillment quote

- A month of ecommerce orders, with units per order
- Your SKU list (styles, sizes, colors) and units on hand
- How production arrives: parcel, pallet or floor-loaded container
- Your return rate and return rules
- Boutique and department store accounts, with any routing guides
- Any garments that need to stay on hangers

The volume where a clothing 3PL pays off is a few hundred to several thousand orders a month. For how each order moves through the building, see [pick and pack services](https://www.alvylogistics.com/fulfillment/pick-and-pack). Send the list through the quote form or call (661) 344-8766 for a written quote.

## What our apparel fulfillment does not cover

- Bonded storage: this is not a bonded warehouse
- Hazardous materials, beyond limited-quantity consumer goods accepted after safety data sheet review
- Under a few hundred orders a month, where in-house is usually cheaper

## Apparel fulfillment questions

### What is apparel fulfillment?

Apparel fulfillment is storing a clothing brand's inventory and shipping its orders: receiving stock by style, size and color, picking and packing ecommerce orders, shipping wholesale orders to stores and handling returns. It differs from general fulfillment mainly in SKU count and the volume of returns.

### How does a 3PL improve apparel fulfillment?

An apparel 3PL brings space, staff and a warehouse system that tracks every size and color as its own SKU, so the right size ships and stock counts stay accurate. It also absorbs drops and holiday peaks without you hiring and training people for a few weeks.

### Do you store garments on hangers?

Yes. Garments that must stay on hangers, such as tailored jackets, dresses and outerwear, go into hanging storage. Most other styles are stored folded in poly bags, in cartons by SKU. Tell us which styles hang and how many units when you request a quote, so the space is planned.

### How do you handle clothing returns?

Returns come back to the warehouse and are checked against rules you set: what counts as sellable, what is set aside, and when you want to decide. Sellable units go back to stock. Send your rules and return rate with your quote request. Rebagging or retagging a return is special project labor at $38 an hour.

### Can you ship wholesale orders to boutiques and retailers?

Yes. Wholesale orders ship by the carton or pallet from the same inventory as your ecommerce orders, as size runs or prepacks. Send each retailer's routing guide with your quote request, so GS1-128 labels, ship notices and EDI are set up before the first order.

### How much does apparel fulfillment cost?

Start with $5 per order processing and $25 per pallet per month for storage. Pallets are $12 each to receive, and unloading a floor-loaded container of production is quoted per container. Pick and pack labor is quoted per job once we have seen sample orders, and postage is extra.

---

# Freight brokerage services through Accurate Freight Systems LLC

URL: https://www.alvylogistics.com/freight/brokerage
Type: Service
Updated: 2026-10-07

Freight brokerage services connect a shipper with an authorized motor carrier that hauls the load. In the Alvy Logistics group, brokerage is offered by Accurate Freight Systems LLC (USDOT 2237130, MC-572734), a licensed property broker. It quotes the shipment, books an authorized carrier and is your point of contact for the load. The broker does not haul the freight; the carrier does.

- Broker: Accurate Freight Systems LLC, USDOT 2237130
- Authority: MC-572734, licensed property broker
- Carrier in the group: ALVY BROS DELIVERS INC, MC-1341979

## What a shipper gets from the broker

- A written quote for the lane: A price for your shipment based on the lane, weight, equipment and timing, before anything is booked.
- An authorized motor carrier: The load is booked with a motor carrier that holds FMCSA operating authority to haul it, as the broker rules require.
- Broker security on file: Accurate Freight Systems LLC has the federally required $75,000 broker security on file, and its authority can be checked on FMCSA SAFER.
- Your right to the record: Federal rules require the broker to keep a record of each shipment, including the carrier and its compensation, and you may review it.
- LTL and truckload across the West: Lanes leaving Southern California for the rest of California and the West, as LTL or a full truck.
- Local legs and a warehouse stop: Near Los Angeles, Alvy Logistics can haul a local box truck leg as carrier, with a stop at the Valencia warehouse.

## What does a freight broker do for a shipper?

Freight brokerage services arrange transportation; they do not provide it. Hand a load to a broker and it quotes the shipment, books a motor carrier with the authority and equipment to move it, settles the rate and pickup with that carrier, and stays on the shipment until it is delivered. The carrier's driver and truck do the hauling. Federal rules define a broker as a person who, for compensation, arranges or offers to arrange the transportation of property by an authorized motor carrier ([49 CFR 371.2](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-49/section-371.2)).

For Alvy Logistics customers, those freight broker services come from **Accurate Freight Systems LLC**, the licensed property broker in our group (USDOT 2237130, MC-572734). It joined the group by acquisition and brought the Valencia warehouse with it. Brokerage is offered in its own name, as [49 CFR 371.7](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-49/section-371.7) requires, not in the name of Alvy Logistics.

## Broker and carrier: which company is responsible for your load?

| | Motor carrier | Freight broker |
|---|---|---|
| FMCSA authority | Motor carrier of property | Broker of property |
| Hauls the freight | Yes, with its own or contracted drivers and trucks | No |
| What it sells | Transportation it performs | Arranging transportation by a carrier |
| In this group | ALVY BROS DELIVERS INC (Alvy Logistics), MC-1341979 | Accurate Freight Systems LLC, MC-572734 |

Both are registered with FMCSA and both are legitimate. What matters to a shipper is knowing which one you are hiring for a given load, because that decides who you contract with and who actually moves the freight. The [carrier vs broker vs 3PL guide](https://www.alvylogistics.com/guides/carrier-vs-broker-vs-3pl) goes further, including where a 3PL and a logistics broker fit.

Alvy Logistics bought Accurate Freight Systems outright in October 2025, and both companies now work from the same Valencia building, so a brokered lane and a local courier or box truck leg can be quoted together.

## How does a brokered load work?

1. **You send the shipment.** Lane, ready date and deadline, pallet or piece count, weight, dimensions, what the freight is, and any liftgate, appointment or inside-delivery needs.
2. **You get a written quote** with the price and accessorials listed, before anything is booked. The broker for the load is Accurate Freight Systems LLC.
3. **The broker books an authorized motor carrier** with the right equipment for the lane.
4. **The carrier picks up and hauls the load** under its own operating authority.
5. **You deal with the broker, not the carrier.** Questions and changes on the shipment run through Accurate Freight Systems LLC until delivery.

Brokerage covers [LTL shipments](https://www.alvylogistics.com/freight/ltl-shipping) and [full truckload lanes](https://www.alvylogistics.com/freight/truckload) that leave Southern California.

## Can a freight broker own trucks?

A company can hold both kinds of authority, but not under one registration. Federal law says a broker may not provide transportation as a motor carrier unless it has registered separately as one ([49 U.S.C. 13904(d)](https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/49/13904)). Our group keeps the two roles in separate companies. Accurate Freight Systems LLC is the broker. ALVY BROS DELIVERS INC, trading as Alvy Logistics, is the motor carrier, and it does not own trucks either: it hauls with a network of vetted independent-contractor drivers.

So not every shipment needs a broker. Inside Southern California, Alvy Logistics hauls freight itself by 20 to 26 ft box truck, from $200 for the first 20 miles. Some shipments use both companies: Alvy Logistics collects pallets around Los Angeles, they are held at the Valencia warehouse to be consolidated or [cross-docked](https://www.alvylogistics.com/warehousing/cross-docking), and the broker arranges the outbound lane. You can ask which company is responsible for each part.

## How much does a freight broker charge per load?

Brokers usually quote one all-in price per load that covers the carrier's rate and the broker's margin, plus accessorials such as a liftgate or a delivery appointment. Accurate Freight Systems LLC prices each shipment on its lane, weight, equipment and timing, with every charge on the written quote. Federal rules also require a broker to keep a record of each shipment, including the carrier used and the compensation it received, and every party to the shipment has the right to review it ([49 CFR 371.3](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-49/section-371.3)). Send the lane details for a written quote before anything is booked.

## How do you choose among freight brokerage companies?

Check any broker before you tender a load. It takes a few minutes:

- **Look it up on FMCSA SAFER** by USDOT or MC number. The entity type should read BROKER, and the operating authority status should read "AUTHORIZED FOR Broker of Property".
- **Check the financial security.** Every broker must keep $75,000 of financial security, a surety bond or a trust fund, on file with FMCSA ([49 CFR 387.307](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-49/section-387.307)). The licensing and insurance record linked from the SAFER snapshot shows what is on file. Accurate Freight Systems LLC has the federally required $75,000 broker security on file.
- **Match the name.** Ask which company is handling the shipment, and check that name against the registered name on SAFER.
- **Ask who is hauling.** Ask for the carrier on your load and check its authority too.
- **Get it in writing.** Price, accessorials and pickup details on a written quote before the truck is booked.

Our two numbers to try: USDOT 2237130 for the broker and USDOT 3443448 for the carrier.

## Freight brokers near Los Angeles

If you searched for freight brokers near me from the Santa Clarita Valley, the San Fernando Valley or north Los Angeles County, Accurate Freight Systems LLC is registered with FMCSA at the same Valencia address as Alvy Logistics, on the I-5 about 40 miles from downtown Los Angeles. When you ask for a brokered freight quote, mention the details that trip up long-distance quotes, such as a storefront pickup with no dock or an appointment-only receiver. [Request a written quote](https://www.alvylogistics.com/request-quote) or call (661) 344-8766, Monday to Friday, 8am to 8pm Pacific.

## What this freight brokerage service does not cover

- Hazardous materials or dangerous goods
- Refrigerated or frozen loads
- Household goods or residential moves
- Freight broker training, licensing or jobs: this page is for shippers with freight to move

## Freight brokerage questions

### What does a freight broker do?

A freight broker finds and books a motor carrier to haul a shipper's freight, for a fee. It quotes the load, hires a carrier with its own operating authority, confirms the rate and pickup, and stays on the shipment until delivery. The carrier's driver and truck move the freight; the broker never does.

### Why use a freight broker?

A broker helps on lanes you do not ship often: one contact instead of calling carriers yourself, and someone whose job is to find a truck when capacity is tight. If your freight stays inside Southern California, a carrier hauling it directly, such as Alvy Logistics by box truck, is often simpler.

### Can I broker my own freight?

Yes, if you mean booking a carrier for your own shipments. Federal rules define a broker as someone who arranges transportation for compensation, so a shipper hiring an authorized carrier directly needs no broker authority. Arranging other companies' freight for pay is different: that takes FMCSA broker registration and $75,000 of financial security.

### Is it illegal to double broker freight?

Arranging interstate freight for pay without broker registration and the required financial security is illegal under 49 U.S.C. 14916, with civil penalties and liability for valid claims. FMCSA notes that the term itself has no definition in statute or regulation; it covers several practices, including a load passed to another company without the shipper's knowledge. Ask who is hauling and check them.

### Is Alvy Logistics a freight broker?

Brokerage in our group runs through Accurate Freight Systems LLC (USDOT 2237130, MC-572734), the licensed property broker. Alvy Logistics itself (ALVY BROS DELIVERS INC, MC-1341979) is the motor carrier, so the broker for brokered loads is Accurate Freight Systems LLC. You can always ask which company is handling a shipment, and in which role.

---

# On board courier service: your shipment hand carried on the next flight out

URL: https://www.alvylogistics.com/courier/on-board-courier
Type: Service
Updated: 2026-10-07

An on board courier (OBC) is a person who flies as a passenger with your shipment, travels with it through both airports and delivers it in person. Alvy Logistics books on board courier trips from LAX, San Diego (SAN) and San Francisco (SFO) on the next suitable flight, from a $143 dispatch fee plus $43 an hour with a 4-hour minimum, plus travel at cost.

- Departs from: LAX, SAN and SFO
- Starting at: $143 dispatch fee plus $43 an hour, 4-hour minimum
- Travel: Airfare, lodging and ground transport at cost

## What an on board courier trip includes

- The next suitable flight: The courier is booked on the first passenger flight that can make your deadline, not the next cargo cutoff.
- Hand carry, door to door: One courier is responsible for the shipment from pickup to signature and flies on the same plane, with it in the cabin or checked as baggage.
- Ground legs at both ends: The courier collects before the flight and goes straight to the recipient on landing; ground transport at the destination is billed at cost.
- Signed handoffs on request: When your process requires it, the courier signs custody forms and delivery receipts at each handoff, as the driver or carrier, never as the shipper.
- Domestic and international trips: International trips also clear customs at the destination, so the shipment's paperwork has to be ready before the flight.
- Additional couriers: When one courier is not enough for the pieces or the custody plan, a second courier travels too, priced on your quote.

## On board courier cost, starting at

Starting rates from the Alvy Logistics 2026 on-board courier rate card. Courier time is our charge; travel is passed through at cost.

| Part of the trip | Starting at | What changes the price |
|---|---|---|
| Courier dispatch and time | From $143 plus $43 an hour, 4-hour minimum (from $315) | How many hours the trip takes door to door, and the day and time it runs |
| Travel | At cost | Airfare, lodging and ground transport for the route, the flight times and whether the trip runs overnight |
| Additional couriers | Quoted | Shipments with more pieces, or a custody plan, that one person cannot cover alone |

Anything else the trip needs is added only when it applies and listed on your written quote, along with the terms a coordinator confirms before dispatch. For an exact price, call (661) 344-8766 with the route and the deadline, or send a quote request. Rates as of 2026-10-08.

## What is an on board courier?

An on board courier, often shortened to OBC, is the fastest way to move a small, critical shipment between cities when it cannot wait for a cargo booking. A courier takes custody of the shipment, takes a seat on the next suitable passenger flight, carries the shipment as carry-on or checked baggage, and delivers it by hand at the other end. The shipment never sits in a cargo terminal, and one person is responsible for it from pickup to signature.

Alvy Logistics runs OBC trips that start at Los Angeles International (LAX), San Diego International (SAN) and San Francisco International (SFO), to domestic and international destinations served by commercial passenger flights. You may also see it called an onboard courier, a hand carry courier service or an air courier service. They all describe the same thing: a person flying with your shipment.

## How does an onboard (hand carry) courier service work?

1. **You call with the details:** pickup address, destination, what the shipment is, its size and weight, and the deadline.
2. **We confirm the flight and the quote:** the next suitable flight, the courier's time and the travel costs. Tell us how soon the courier has to move, since lead time shapes the quote.
3. **Custody starts at pickup:** the courier collects the shipment with a signed handoff. When your process requires it, the courier signs custody forms and delivery receipts at each handoff, as the driver or carrier, never as the shipper on a manifest.
4. **The flight:** the shipment travels with the courier and is screened at the airport like any passenger's bags.
5. **Delivery in person:** on landing, the courier goes straight to the recipient by ground transport and hands the shipment over.

International trips add a customs step at the destination. Customs can hold a shipment whose paperwork is incomplete, so the commercial invoice and any export or import documents need to be ready before the courier leaves.

## On board courier, next flight out or expedited air freight?

All three put a shipment on a plane quickly, which is why they get confused.

| | On board courier (hand carry) | Next flight out | Expedited air freight |
|---|---|---|---|
| How it flies | With a courier, as passenger baggage | As airline cargo on the next departing flight | As air cargo, booked through a forwarder |
| Custody | One courier, pickup to signature | Airline cargo counter to cargo counter | Cargo terminals at both ends |
| Size | What one courier can carry or check | Small to medium parcels | Cartons up to full pallets |
| Best for | Hours matter and custody matters | Same-day moves with no escort | Bigger or heavier freight with a day or two to spare |

Our OBC is the hand carry version of next flight out: the courier takes the next suitable flight on the same plane as the shipment. When a shipment is too large or heavy to fly as baggage, it moves as air cargo. We coordinate air freight through TSA-approved indirect air carriers. For urgent loads that can go by road, see [expedited freight](https://www.alvylogistics.com/freight/expedited).

## When an on board courier beats air freight

- **A line is down.** A replacement part that gets a production line or a machine running again can cost less to fly by hand than another day of downtime.
- **A device or instrument set is needed for a scheduled case.** For road runs inside Southern California, see our [medical courier service](https://www.alvylogistics.com/courier/medical).
- **A production deadline.** Drives, prototypes, samples or materials that a shoot, a launch or a trade show cannot start without.
- **Original documents** that must arrive signed and in hand before a filing or a closing.
- **Custody matters more than cost.** High-value or confidential items that should stay with one responsible person.

Expedited air freight wins when the shipment is heavy, palletized or bulky, when a day or two is acceptable, or when cost matters more than hours. An OBC courier is priced on a person's time and travel, so it rarely makes sense for freight measured in pallets.

## What you provide, and what we arrange

You provide:

- The pickup and delivery addresses, and the name and phone number of the person receiving the shipment.
- An accurate description, size, weight and number of pieces.
- The deadline, and any receiving hours or access rules at the destination.
- For international trips, the commercial invoice and any export or import documents the shipment needs.

We arrange the courier, the flight, lodging if the trip runs overnight, and ground transport at the destination. Only items an airline accepts in passenger baggage can travel this way, so ask before you book if you are unsure about anything in the shipment.

## On board courier pricing at a glance

OBC pricing has two parts: the courier's time, which we set, and the travel, which we pass through at cost.

- **Courier:** from a $143 dispatch fee plus $43 an hour, with a 4-hour minimum, so from $315 before travel.
- **Travel at cost:** airfare, lodging if the trip runs overnight, and ground transport at the destination.

As a worked example, a trip with 9 hours of courier time door to door comes to $143 + 9 × $43 = $530 for the courier, plus the airfare and ground transport at cost, before any extras. What moves the price most is the hours door to door, the route and its flight times, and whether the trip runs at night, on a weekend or on a holiday. Anything the trip adds is listed on your written quote. For more examples, see the [on board courier cost guide](https://www.alvylogistics.com/guides/on-board-courier-cost).

## Booking on board courier services from LAX, San Diego or San Francisco

Call (661) 344-8766 with the shipment details and the deadline, or send them through a [quote request](https://www.alvylogistics.com/request-quote), and a coordinator will come back with a written quote. Business clients are invoiced. If the delivery can go by road within Southern California, a [same-day courier](https://www.alvylogistics.com/courier/same-day) run usually costs a fraction of an OBC trip.

Ground legs to and from the airports run with our local drivers: see [courier services in San Diego](https://www.alvylogistics.com/courier/san-diego) and [courier service in Long Beach and the South Bay](https://www.alvylogistics.com/courier/long-beach-south-bay), which covers the LAX area.

## What on board courier does not cover

- Freight too large or heavy to travel as passenger baggage
- Items airlines do not accept in passenger baggage
- Trips that start at airports other than LAX, SAN or SFO

## On board courier questions

### What is an on-board courier service?

An on-board courier service puts a person on a passenger flight with your shipment. The courier collects it, carries it as baggage and delivers it by hand at the destination, so it never waits in a cargo terminal. Alvy Logistics runs OBC trips from LAX, SAN and SFO.

### What is next flight out shipping?

Next flight out shipping puts a shipment on the next departing flight to its destination, usually as airline cargo dropped at and collected from cargo counters. An on board courier is the hand carry version: the courier takes the next suitable flight and travels with the shipment the whole way.

### What is hand carry shipping?

Hand carry shipping means a courier travels with the shipment as passenger baggage and delivers it personally. It is used when a deadline is hours away, or when a part, device or document should stay with one responsible person from pickup to delivery.

### What is an air courier service?

An air courier service moves an urgent shipment by air with a person responsible for it. An on-board courier is the most direct form: the courier flies as a passenger with the shipment as carry-on or checked baggage and delivers it by hand, instead of booking it as air cargo.

### What can an on-board courier carry?

Only what an airline accepts in passenger baggage, and only as much as one courier can manage in the cabin or as checked bags. Common OBC shipments are machine parts, medical devices, prototypes, data drives and original documents. Larger or heavier freight moves as air cargo instead.

### Which airports do your on-board couriers fly from?

Trips start at Los Angeles International (LAX), San Diego International (SAN) and San Francisco International (SFO), and go to domestic and international destinations served by commercial passenger flights.

### How soon can an on-board courier leave?

The courier takes the next suitable flight after collecting the shipment, so departure depends on the pickup time and on flights from LAX, San Diego (SAN) or San Francisco (SFO). A coordinator confirms the flight plan with your quote, before anyone leaves.

---

# Courier service in Pasadena and the San Gabriel Valley, out to Pomona

URL: https://www.alvylogistics.com/courier/pasadena-san-gabriel-valley
Type: Service area
Updated: 2026-10-08

Alvy Logistics runs a business courier service in Pasadena, California, and throughout the San Gabriel Valley. Contract drivers who work the valley take same-day and routed runs between Pasadena, Arcadia, Alhambra, El Monte, City of Industry and Pomona, with the vehicle, car to box truck, matched to the load. The car base rate of $45 includes 20 trip miles; longer runs add mileage, set on your quote.

- Serving: Pasadena, Arcadia, El Monte, City of Industry and Pomona
- Drivers: Independent contractors who work the area
- Starting at: Base $45 by car, with 20 trip miles in it

- Where the 210, the 134 and the 110 meet: Pasadena is a freeway junction. The 210 Foothill Freeway comes in from the northwest and turns east toward Arcadia and Monrovia, the 134 arrives from the west and ends at the 210, and the 110 finishes on the south side of the city and carries on as Arroyo Parkway.
- A weight limit on the Arroyo Seco Parkway: Caltrans lists the Arroyo Seco Parkway, the 8.2 miles of the 110 between the 101 and Glenarm Street in Pasadena, as closed to commercial vehicles over 6,000 pounds. Box trucks, and cargo vans loaded past that weight, come into Pasadena by other freeways.
- The 710 gap: The 710 ends at Valley Boulevard in Alhambra and was never built through to the 210 in Pasadena, so the few miles between Alhambra and Pasadena run on city streets. City hall to city hall, that is about 4 miles by road.
- City of Industry along the 60: City of Industry had 264 residents in the 2020 census, yet the city zones its land 92 percent industrial and 8 percent commercial, with warehouses and distribution buildings strung along the 60. Expect a pickup there at a loading dock with receiving hours rather than a front desk.
- The 57 and 60 interchange: East of City of Industry, the 60 meets the 57 in Diamond Bar, on the way from the valley to Pomona and the Inland Empire. In the American Transportation Research Institute's 2026 rankings of truck congestion, that interchange is the 16th worst bottleneck in the country.

## Courier work we take across Pasadena and the San Gabriel Valley

- Pasadena office runs: Contracts, plan sets and signed originals between offices in Pasadena and the businesses they work with.
- Research and engineering parts: Prototypes, instrument components and test samples between labs, machine shops and suppliers across the valley.
- Lab and clinic pickups: Specimens sealed by the sender, and clinical supplies, between clinics, labs and hospital campuses, STAT or on a route.
- City of Industry warehouse runs: Cartons or a few pallets between importers, distributors and stores, from buildings along the 60.
- Standing valley routes: Set stops on set days between your own sites in Pasadena, Arcadia, Monrovia, El Monte and West Covina.
- Pallets by box truck: Box trucks are available with the valley drivers for pallets, racking and fixtures, adding a liftgate or pallet jack where there is no dock.

## Pasadena and San Gabriel Valley courier prices, starting at

San Gabriel Valley prices follow the card Alvy published for 2026. The base rate sets the minimum for each vehicle, and the first 20 miles of the trip are inside it.

| Vehicle | Starting at | Pasadena to Alhambra (about 4 miles) |
|---|---|---|
| Car, for documents, specimens and small parts | $45 for the first 20 trip miles | $45 |
| Cargo van, for cartons, instruments and samples | $80 for the first 20 trip miles | $80 |
| 20 to 26 ft box truck, for pallets and fixtures | $200 for the first 20 trip miles | $200 |

There is no charge to bring a driver to you, because the drivers who take these runs work the San Gabriel Valley and the trip miles begin where the load is picked up. After the first 20 miles, mileage can start as low as $1.20 a mile, depending on the vehicle and the route, and it is set on your written quote. Wait time, another stop, a liftgate or pallet jack, night or weekend work are added only when the job needs them and listed on your written quote, so ask for one before you book. A fuel surcharge may apply, and a toll lane, such as the 10 ExpressLanes, is passed through at cost if the route uses one. Rates as of 2026-10-08.

## Which courier services do Pasadena and San Gabriel Valley businesses use?

Alvy Logistics provides a courier service in Pasadena for businesses and runs it across the San Gabriel Valley, from Alhambra and Arcadia out to El Monte, City of Industry and Pomona. Contract drivers who work the valley take the runs, by car, cargo van or 20 to 26 ft box truck, so nobody drives down from the north to start your job; box trucks are available with the valley drivers too. Alvy's one building is a warehouse in Valencia, about 40 miles away by road; the valley has no Alvy office or counter, and drivers collect at your door, dock or front desk.

The work tends to split by geography. Around Pasadena the loads are usually light:

- **Office paperwork**: contracts, plan sets and signed originals between Pasadena offices and the businesses they work with. At handoff in the San Gabriel Valley, the driver signs your custody form or delivery receipt when your process asks for one, signing as the driver.
- **Research and engineering parts**: prototypes, instrument components and test samples between labs, machine shops and suppliers.
- **Medical runs**: specimens and supplies between clinics, labs and hospital campuses, covered below.

Down on the valley floor it gets heavier:

- **Warehouse runs**: cartons and pallets between importers, distributors and stores around City of Industry and El Monte.
- **Standing routes**: set stops on set days between a company's own sites in Monrovia, West Covina or Pomona.

## How are Pasadena courier runs priced?

One rate card, the 2026 edition, covers every run in the valley. A run of up to 20 trip miles costs the vehicle's base rate and nothing more: $45 by car, $80 by cargo van, $200 by 20 to 26 ft box truck. Mileage past the twentieth mile is set on your written quote. The San Gabriel Valley runs below show which trips stay at the base rate and which add mileage, with no extras added.

| Valley run | Road miles, approx. | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Pasadena to Alhambra | about 4 | Base rate only |
| Pasadena to City of Industry | about 22 | Base rate plus mileage |
| Pasadena to Pomona | about 27 | Base rate plus mileage |
| Valencia warehouse to Pasadena | about 40 | Base rate plus mileage |
| Valencia warehouse to City of Industry | about 59 | Base rate plus mileage |

Distances are routed between city halls, or from our Valencia address for the warehouse rows, and a real quote is measured between your own two addresses. The two Valencia rows only apply when stock ships from the warehouse; a run that starts in the valley is priced from its own pickup.

A San Gabriel Valley driver comes to you at no added charge, longer runs have no separate long-distance band, tolls are passed through at cost, and a fuel surcharge may apply. Wait time, added stops, a liftgate or pallet jack and night or weekend work are added only when the job needs them, and your written quote lists each one before the run is booked.

## Which San Gabriel Valley cities do you cover?

From Pasadena, the 210 runs east along the foothills: Arcadia is about 7 miles from Pasadena City Hall, Monrovia about 10, and Arcadia to Monrovia about 3. South of Pasadena, Alhambra is about 4 miles away on city streets, because the 710 stops short of the 210.

The 10 and the 60 cross the middle of the valley. El Monte and West Covina both sit on the 10, about 6 miles apart. Further south, the 60 runs through City of Industry and on past Diamond Bar to Pomona. Neighboring stops keep runs short: City of Industry to West Covina is about 5 miles, and City of Industry to Pomona about 16, still inside the base rate. Stock from the Valencia warehouse travels about 44 miles to Alhambra, 52 to El Monte and 67 to Pomona.

Pomona to Ontario is about 7 miles, and runs from there east are covered on the [Inland Empire](https://www.alvylogistics.com/courier/inland-empire) page. Glendale and Burbank, west of Pasadena on the 134, belong with the [San Fernando Valley](https://www.alvylogistics.com/courier/san-fernando-valley).

## Is there a medical courier in Pasadena for labs and clinics?

Yes. Medical courier work in Pasadena and the valley moves specimens, slides and clinical supplies between medical offices, labs, imaging centers and hospital campuses, on a STAT call or a standing route. The shipper does the packing, sealing and labelling, using UN3373 packaging where the rules require it, and the package arrives exactly as it left. Because the vehicles are ambient, a cold specimen needs the shipper's own insulated box. The [medical courier](https://www.alvylogistics.com/courier/medical) page explains STAT timing and packing in more detail.

## Can a courier move pallets out of City of Industry?

Yes, when the load is a few pallets rather than a trailer. A 20 to 26 ft box truck takes pallets, racking and display fixtures from a City of Industry or El Monte building to a store, a showroom or another warehouse, with a liftgate for receivers that have no dock. Truck sizes, liftgates and loading rules are on the [box truck delivery](https://www.alvylogistics.com/courier/box-truck-delivery) page. Weekday traffic where the 60 meets the 57 in Diamond Bar shapes the delivery window for anything heading east to Pomona or the Inland Empire.

## What details does a Pasadena courier quote need?

List both addresses, the piece count and weights, when it must arrive, and how each building takes deliveries: a front desk, a lab receiving window, or a loading dock with appointments. For a standing route, add the stops and days. Existing accounts book each run in our online shipper portal and can follow it from pickup to a Pasadena lab window or a San Gabriel Valley dock, with the driver's current location, onsite status notes and photographic proof of pickup and delivery, and business clients are invoiced. For a written quote, phone (661) 344-8766 on weekdays between 8am and 8pm Pacific or fill in the [quote request](https://www.alvylogistics.com/request-quote). For runs in the rest of the county, start from our [courier service across Los Angeles County](https://www.alvylogistics.com/courier).

## What the Pasadena and San Gabriel Valley courier service leaves out

- A walk-in counter anywhere in the San Gabriel Valley: drivers collect at your door, dock or front desk
- Household goods or residential moves
- Controlled substances
- Specimens that need cooling from the vehicle: courier vehicles are ambient
- Full truckloads or LTL freight out of City of Industry, which are quoted on the freight side

## Questions about courier service in Pasadena and the San Gabriel Valley

### How much does a courier service in Pasadena cost?

A Pasadena run of 20 trip miles or less is billed at the vehicle's base rate: $45 for a car, $80 for a cargo van, $200 for a 20 to 26 ft box truck. Pasadena to Arcadia or Alhambra fits inside that. Pasadena to City of Industry, about 22 miles, and Pasadena to Pomona, about 27 miles, add mileage past 20 miles to the base, set on your written quote.

### Do you serve Pasadena, California or Pasadena, Texas?

Pasadena, California: the foothill city where the 210 and the 134 meet, northeast of downtown. Courier work runs from Fresno to San Diego, so the Pasadena near Houston is not served.

### Does it cost more to send a driver from Valencia?

No. Your run goes to a driver who already works the San Gabriel Valley, so bringing one to you adds nothing and the trip is measured from your pickup. The Valencia warehouse, about 40 miles from Pasadena by road, is the company's only facility, and there is no office in the valley.

### Can I book a medical courier in Pasadena?

Yes, for clinics, labs, imaging centers and hospital campuses across Pasadena and the rest of the valley, as STAT calls or scheduled pickups. Drivers carry each package sealed, exactly as the sender packed it, in vehicles with no powered cooling, and controlled substances are not accepted.

### Do you run courier service in City of Industry and Pomona?

Yes. Both are short hops for drivers who work the east end of the valley. City of Industry to Pomona is about 16 miles, so a car run stays at the $45 base, while Pasadena to Pomona, about 27 miles, adds mileage past 20 miles, set on your written quote.

### Can a box truck take the Arroyo Seco Parkway into Pasadena?

No. Caltrans closes that stretch of the 110 to commercial vehicles over 6,000 pounds, so a 20 to 26 ft box truck coming from the south uses other freeways, and the quote counts the miles it actually drives. A car can use the parkway.

---

# Box truck and Sprinter van delivery in Los Angeles

URL: https://www.alvylogistics.com/courier/box-truck-delivery
Type: Service
Updated: 2026-10-08

A Sprinter van delivery service sends a high-roof cargo van for loads too big for a car and too small for a truck. Alvy Logistics dispatches cargo vans, including Sprinter-size high-roof vans, from $80, and 20 to 26 ft box trucks from $200, each covering the first 20 miles, for pallets, large items and same day freight across Los Angeles.

- Vehicles: Cargo van, Sprinter-size high-roof van, 20 to 26 ft box truck
- Starting at: Van $80, box truck $200, each for the first 20 miles
- Add-ons: Liftgate, pallet jack or second person, quoted when a stop needs one

## What box truck and van delivery includes

- Sprinter-size cargo vans: High-roof vans for stacked cartons, parts, displays and tall items that will not fit in a car.
- 20 to 26 ft box trucks: For pallets, furniture, fixtures, crates and full store or event loads.
- Liftgate, pallet jack and a second person: For stops without a dock or forklift and for heavy or awkward pieces, added only when the job needs them and listed on your quote.
- Same day freight runs: Local pallet and expedited box truck runs, often the same day, direct with no terminal in between, and tracked with live driver location and delivery photos.
- Held freight in Valencia: Pallets that arrive before the receiver is ready held at the Valencia warehouse and delivered on the right day.
- Routes and dedicated trucks: Several drops on one run, scheduled routes quoted per stop or per route, or a driver and vehicle booked for a day or set hours.

## Box truck and Sprinter van delivery rates, starting at

Starting rates from the Alvy Logistics 2026 courier rate card. Each vehicle's base rate includes the first 20 trip miles, and no run is billed below it.

| Vehicle | Starting at | What changes the price |
|---|---|---|
| Cargo van, including Sprinter-size high-roof vans | $80 for the first 20 miles | Mileage after 20 miles is quoted; extra stops, waiting or a second person are added when the job needs them |
| 20 to 26 ft box truck | $200 for the first 20 miles | Mileage after 20 miles is quoted; extra stops, a liftgate, pallet jack or second person are added when a stop needs one |
| Scheduled route or dedicated truck | Quoted per stop, per route or for the block | Number of stops, vehicle size, the hours booked and how often it runs |

After the first 20 miles, mileage can start as low as $1.20 a mile, depending on the vehicle and the route, and it is set on your written quote. Heavy loads, waiting time, added stops, a liftgate, a pallet jack, a second person and after-hours or weekend timing are added only when the job needs them and listed on the quote. Tolls pass through at cost and a fuel surcharge may apply. For an exact price, request a quote or call (661) 344-8766. Rates as of 2026-10-08.

## Box truck, Sprinter van or cargo van delivery service: which do you need?

A Sprinter van delivery service and a box truck delivery service solve the same problem at two sizes: a load that is too big for a car, moving across town today, with a driver who stays with it from pickup to drop-off. Picking the right one is the biggest lever on price, because a box truck starts at more than twice the cost of a van.

| | Cargo van (including Sprinter-size) | 20 to 26 ft box truck |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Cartons, parts, displays, tall or awkward items | Pallets, furniture, fixtures, crates, full store or event loads |
| Loading | By hand, with a second person for heavy pieces | Liftgate or pallet jack where there is no dock |
| Starting at (first 20 miles) | $80 | $200 |
| Extras, quoted when needed | Second person, waiting, added stops | Liftgate, pallet jack, second person, added stops |

For documents and small parcels, a car from $45 is cheaper than either; see [same-day courier service](https://www.alvylogistics.com/courier/same-day).

## Sprinter van delivery service

Cargo vans in our driver network include Sprinter-size high-roof vans: full-size vans with more than 6 ft of interior height, so tall items travel upright. Sprinter van delivery is the workhorse of our cargo van delivery service: multi-carton orders, auto and equipment parts, retail displays, sample runs, rolled goods and anything tall that would not lie flat in a car. The longest high-roof vans typically take up to three standard pallets when a dock or forklift can load them.

Vans in the network vary by make and length, so send the dimensions of your largest piece and we will confirm the fit. Without a dock or forklift, a van is loaded by hand. If one piece is too heavy for the driver alone, add a second person, or move up to a box truck with a liftgate.

## How big is a box truck, and how many pallets fit?

Box trucks commonly run from 10 to 26 ft of cargo length. The ones in our driver network are 20 to 26 ft. A typical 26 ft box is about 8 ft wide and 8 ft high inside, which leaves room for two standard 48 by 40 inch pallets side by side with the 40 inch edge across the truck. Six rows of two is why a 26 ft box truck is usually quoted at about 12 pallets on the floor. A 20 ft box is often a little narrower as well as shorter.

Weight runs out before floor space with dense freight such as stone, tile or paper, so the total weight matters as much as the pallet count. Very heavy loads are priced on your quote, so send the total weight with the pallet count.

## Large item courier and delivery for businesses

For businesses, large item delivery usually means one of these:

- **Furniture** for retailers, showrooms and designers, delivered to their customers or project sites.
- **Store fixtures and displays** for openings, resets and pop-ups.
- **Equipment** such as machines, racking and appliances moving between sites or to a customer.
- **Crated displays and set pieces** for retailers and production companies, covered in more detail under [entertainment and production logistics](https://www.alvylogistics.com/industries/entertainment-production-logistics).
- **Convention and live event loads**: move-in windows, show paperwork and storage between shows are covered under [trade show logistics](https://www.alvylogistics.com/industries/trade-show-logistics).

Hotel and commercial fit-outs, where furniture and fixtures arrive floor by floor, are covered under [hospitality and FF&E logistics](https://www.alvylogistics.com/industries/hospitality-ffe-logistics). When an item has to be carried inside, placed and unpacked, [white glove delivery](https://www.alvylogistics.com/courier/white-glove-delivery) starts at $160 by cargo van and $325 by box truck for a local delivery. We are a business-to-business large item courier, so we do not handle household moves or residential relocations.

## Same day freight delivery by box truck

LTL freight moves through terminals, which is efficient but rarely same day. Local pallet runs and expedited box truck runs often go the same day instead: a box truck picks the pallets up and drives them straight to the receiver. You can follow the truck in our online shipper portal: the driver's live location, onsite updates at each dock, and pickup and delivery updates with photos of the pallets as they were handed over. Box trucks are available in every service area, from Fresno to San Diego. Typical same day freight runs include a supplier's pallets to a store before a launch, stock between two warehouses, or a part shipment to a manufacturing line.

Pallets that arrive before the receiver is ready can be held at our Valencia warehouse and delivered on the right day. For resets, openings or event load-ins, a driver and truck can be booked for a day or set hours, and regular runs can become a scheduled route quoted per stop or per route.

When a day or two is fine, or the pallets are going farther, [pallet shipping](https://www.alvylogistics.com/freight/pallet-shipping) by LTL is usually cheaper, with ground transit of 1 to 2 days to most of the West through ground carriers.

## Liftgate, pallet jack and a second person

These add-ons apply only when a stop needs them, and they appear on your written quote before the driver goes:

- **Liftgate.** Lowers pallets and heavy pieces to the ground where there is no loading dock.
- **Pallet jack.** Moves pallets from the liftgate to the door or receiving area.
- **Second person.** For heavy or bulky pieces, stairs or long carries.

Waiting time, added stops and after-hours or weekend timing work the same way.

## What to send for a box truck or van quote

Send the pickup and delivery addresses, what is moving (pieces or pallets, dimensions and total weight), whether each end has a dock, any stairs or long carries, and the time window. With those details, a coordinator can match the van or truck and price the run. Once your account is set up, you can book runs in the portal or connect your own TMS to it, and business clients are invoiced. For what sets the price of a run, see the [Los Angeles courier cost guide](https://www.alvylogistics.com/guides/courier-cost-los-angeles), then start with a [quote request](https://www.alvylogistics.com/request-quote) or call (661) 344-8766.

Smaller loads by car are covered on our [courier service in Los Angeles](https://www.alvylogistics.com/courier) page.

## What box truck and van delivery does not cover

- Household goods or residential moves
- Hazmat loads, or freight that must stay refrigerated on the road
- Full truckload freight, which is quoted per job as truckload
- Truck or van rental without a driver

## Box truck and van delivery questions

### How much does a Sprinter van delivery cost?

With Alvy Logistics a cargo van delivery, including a Sprinter-size high-roof van, starts at $80 for the first 20 miles, plus mileage after 20 miles, set on your quote. Extras such as a second person or waiting time are added only when the job needs them and listed on the same quote.

### How many pallets fit in a 26 ft box truck?

Typically about 12 standard 48 by 40 inch pallets on the floor. A 20 ft box usually takes 8 to 10. Overhang, stacking and weight change the real number, so send the pallet count, footprint and total weight and we will confirm the truck.

### How much weight can a 26 ft box truck carry?

A 26 ft box truck commonly carries around 10,000 lbs of payload, though it varies with the truck, the body and the liftgate. Many are built just under the 26,001 lb gross weight rating at which a commercial driver's license is required. Very heavy loads are priced on your quote, so send the total weight.

### When do I need a box truck instead of a cargo van?

When the load is on pallets, needs a liftgate or pallet jack, or is too heavy or bulky to load by hand. Cartons, parts, displays and tall items that one or two people can carry usually fit a high-roof cargo van, which starts at $80 instead of $200.

### What is the cheapest way to ship large items locally?

Use the smallest vehicle that fits, put several items on one run instead of several runs, and give accurate access details so the first attempt succeeds. For pallets going farther than Southern California, or when a day or two is fine, pallet shipping as freight is usually cheaper than a dedicated truck.

### Do you deliver furniture, fixtures and crated displays?

Yes, for businesses. Box truck delivery suits retailers, designers and production companies moving furniture, store fixtures, equipment, crates and crated displays. If a piece has to be carried in, placed and unpacked, book it as white glove delivery instead. We do not handle household moves or residential relocations.

---

# Courier service in Long Beach and the South Bay, from LAX to the harbor

URL: https://www.alvylogistics.com/courier/long-beach-south-bay
Type: Service area
Updated: 2026-10-08

Alvy Logistics offers a business courier service in Long Beach, California, and across the South Bay. Independent-contractor drivers who work the area take same-day and scheduled runs in Long Beach, Torrance, Carson, Gardena and around LAX, with a car, cargo van or 20 to 26 ft box truck matched to the load. A car run starts at $45, which covers 20 trip miles, plus mileage set on your quote.

- Serving: Long Beach, Torrance, Carson, Gardena and the LAX area
- Drivers: Independent contractors who work the area
- Starting at: From $45 by car; the base covers 20 trip miles

- Two ports on San Pedro Bay: The Port of Long Beach and the Port of Los Angeles share San Pedro Bay, and Long Beach alone moved a record 9.9 million TEUs in 2025, by the port's own count. The containers leave on drayage trucks. Courier work is the paperwork, samples and cartons that move between importers, forwarders, customs brokers and warehouses outside the terminal gates.
- San Pedro to Long Beach across Terminal Island: The direct road from San Pedro to downtown Long Beach, about 8 miles, crosses Terminal Island on two bridges: the Vincent Thomas Bridge on the 47, then the Long Beach International Gateway bridge, which replaced the Gerald Desmond Bridge in October 2020.
- The 405, the 110 and the 710: The 405 runs from LAX past Hawthorne, Torrance and Carson into Long Beach, the 110 runs south through Gardena and Carson to San Pedro, and the 710 heads north from the harbor. The American Transportation Research Institute ranks the 710 at the 105 25th on its 2026 list of the top 100 U.S. truck bottlenecks, which matters for daytime runs north out of Long Beach.
- Air cargo around LAX: Los Angeles World Airports counted 2,229,898 tons of air freight at LAX in 2025, and many freight forwarders keep warehouses near the airport. By road, Hawthorne City Hall is about 6 miles from the terminals and Torrance about 11.
- From the Valencia warehouse: By road, the Valencia warehouse is about 44 miles from LAX, 51 from Gardena, 52 from Torrance, 55 from Carson and 63 from downtown Long Beach and Long Beach Airport. Those miles count only when stock leaves the warehouse.

## Courier runs we take across Long Beach and the South Bay

- Harbor paperwork: Bills of lading, delivery orders and signed originals carried between importers, forwarders and customs brokers near the ports.
- LAX-area pickups and drops: Cartons and documents between freight forwarders near the airport and businesses across the South Bay, timed to your cutoff, plus recovery of released shipments from the airline cargo terminals.
- Parts between plants: A part for a stopped line, tooling or product samples moved between manufacturers and warehouses in Torrance, Gardena and Carson.
- Downtown Long Beach messenger runs: Filings, contracts and signed originals between law offices, the courthouse and City Hall in downtown Long Beach.
- Clinic and lab runs: Specimens and clinical supplies, sealed by the sender, between clinics, labs and hospital campuses, STAT or on a set pickup.
- Box truck with liftgate: Box trucks are available with the South Bay drivers for pallets and bulky cartons, with a liftgate added where the receiver has no dock.

## Long Beach and South Bay courier rates, starting at

South Bay prices come from the 2026 Alvy Logistics courier card. The base rate is the floor for each vehicle and buys the first 20 miles of the trip.

| Vehicle | Starting at | Carson to downtown Long Beach (about 9 miles) |
|---|---|---|
| Car (bills of lading, small parcels, sealed specimens) | $45 for the first 20 trip miles | $45 |
| Cargo van (cartons, product samples, machine parts) | $80 for the first 20 trip miles | $80 |
| 20 to 26 ft box truck (pallets, racking, bulky cartons) | $200 for the first 20 trip miles | $200 |

There is no charge to bring a driver to you: drivers work Long Beach and the South Bay, so the miles are counted from your pickup. After the first 20 miles, mileage can start as low as $1.20 a mile, depending on the vehicle and the route, and it is set on your written quote. Wait time, an extra stop, a liftgate or pallet jack, night or weekend work are added only when the job needs them and listed on your written quote, so ask for one before you book. A fuel surcharge may apply. Tolls, if the route uses a toll lane such as the 110 ExpressLanes, are passed through at cost. Rates as of 2026-10-08.

## Which courier services can Long Beach and South Bay businesses book?

Alvy Logistics runs a courier service in Long Beach for businesses and takes runs across the South Bay: Torrance, Carson, Gardena, Hawthorne, Redondo Beach, San Pedro and the area around LAX. Independent-contractor drivers who work this end of the county take the runs, so a job starts at your pickup, not at the warehouse. That warehouse, the company's only building, is in Valencia at the north end of the county. There is no South Bay office or counter, so drivers come to your dock, gate or front desk.

The work South Bay businesses send by courier tends to follow the harbor and the airport:

- **Harbor paperwork**: bills of lading, delivery orders and signed originals for importers, forwarders and customs brokers near the ports. When your process requires it, the driver signs your custody form or delivery receipt at handoff, as the driver or carrier.
- **Airport-area runs**: cartons and documents between freight forwarders near LAX and businesses across the South Bay, and recovery of released shipments from the airline cargo terminals.
- **Parts and samples** between manufacturers and warehouses in Torrance, Gardena and Carson, including a part for a stopped line.
- **Downtown Long Beach messenger work**: filings and contracts between law offices, the courthouse and City Hall.
- **Pallets and bulky cartons** in a 20 to 26 ft box truck, on demand or on a standing route. Box trucks are available with the South Bay drivers.

## How much does a courier service in Long Beach cost?

Long Beach and South Bay runs start at $45 by car, $80 by cargo van and $200 by box truck, the same rates used across the service area. Each vehicle's base rate is also its minimum and covers the first 20 miles between pickup and delivery. Past 20 miles, mileage is added and set on your written quote. The South Bay runs below show which trips stay at the base rate and which add mileage, ahead of any extras.

| South Bay run | Road miles, approx. | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Gardena to Carson | about 6 | Base rate only |
| Torrance to downtown Long Beach | about 13 | Base rate only |
| LAX to downtown Long Beach | about 22 | Base rate plus mileage |
| Valencia warehouse to downtown Long Beach | about 63 | Base rate plus mileage |

Miles are routed between city halls, the LAX terminals and our Valencia address, so a quote on your two real addresses may differ a little. The Valencia row applies only when stock leaves the warehouse: a run that begins in the South Bay never pays for a drive down from the north. A long run, such as Long Beach to San Diego, has no separate long-distance band. Tolls pass through at cost and a fuel surcharge may apply. Wait time, added stops, a liftgate or pallet jack and night or weekend work are added only when the job needs them, and your written quote lists each one before the run is booked.

## Is there an LAX courier service for forwarders and businesses near the ports?

Yes, with a limit at each. Around LAX, the work is a carton or a set of documents moving between a freight forwarder near the airport and a business elsewhere in the South Bay, timed to the forwarder's cutoff. The driver delivers to the forwarder, and the forwarder hands the freight to the airline. Inbound, drivers recover shipments from the airline cargo terminals along Imperial Highway and Century Boulevard for forwarders and shippers, once the airline has released them, and deliver them anywhere in the service area. When a shipment has to fly with a person, an [on-board courier](https://www.alvylogistics.com/courier/on-board-courier) can carry it out of LAX by hand.

Airport work is where Alvy found its niche. Expedited runs for air freight forwarders were the core of the business soon after it started in 2020, and in 2024 Alvy acquired Delivery Surfers, Inc., an expediting company based by LAX. It now operates as [DSI Transportation](https://dsitransportation.com/), an Alvy company with a staffed office in Inglewood beside the airport, handling airport recovery and tenders, with dispatch shared with Alvy.

At the harbor, moving containers between the terminals and inland yards is drayage, which Alvy does not provide. A courier serves the businesses around the ports instead: delivery orders and originals for importers and customs brokers, samples pulled from a container at a Carson or Wilmington warehouse, and cartons between buildings near the water, all outside the terminal gates.

## Do you cover Torrance, Carson and the rest of the South Bay?

Yes, all of it, and runs between neighboring cities usually stay inside the base rate. Redondo Beach to Torrance is about 3 miles, Gardena to Carson about 6, San Pedro to downtown Long Beach about 8 by way of Terminal Island, and Carson to downtown Long Beach about 9. LAX to Torrance is about 11. The 91 starts at the 110 near Gardena and runs east through north Long Beach.

El Segundo, on the south side of the airport, is covered with [Santa Monica and the Westside](https://www.alvylogistics.com/courier/westside). To the southeast, the [Orange County](https://www.alvylogistics.com/courier/orange-county) page covers Irvine, Anaheim and Santa Ana.

## Can a medical courier in Long Beach serve labs and clinics?

Yes. Medical runs connect clinics, labs, imaging centers and hospital campuses across Long Beach and the South Bay, as STAT calls or scheduled pickups. The sender packs, labels and seals each specimen (UN3373 packaging where required), and the driver hands it over unopened. The vehicles are ambient, so a cold specimen travels in the sender's insulated pack, and controlled substances are not carried. Our [medical courier](https://www.alvylogistics.com/courier/medical) page sets out how STAT and routed work is booked.

## What goes into a Long Beach courier quote request?

Send both addresses, the number of pieces and their weights, the delivery window and how each end receives: a dock, a suite, or a gated yard with check-in. Near the harbor, add any gate or appointment rules. South Bay accounts place each run in our online shipper portal and see the driver's position as it moves down the 405 or the 710, check-in updates at a harbor gate or yard, and photos when the freight is picked up and dropped, with business clients invoiced. Forwarders and 3PLs around LAX and the harbor that run their own TMS can usually plug it into the portal. For a written quote, phone (661) 344-8766 (8am to 8pm Pacific, Monday to Friday) or send the [quote form](https://www.alvylogistics.com/request-quote). For pickups elsewhere in the county, see our [courier service across Los Angeles County](https://www.alvylogistics.com/courier).

## What the Long Beach and South Bay courier service leaves out

- A counter or drop-off point anywhere in the South Bay: drivers collect at your dock, gate or front desk
- Port drayage of ocean containers
- Household goods or residential moves
- Controlled substances
- Loads that need cooling on the vehicle: courier vehicles are ambient

## Questions about courier service in Long Beach and the South Bay

### How are courier runs in Long Beach priced?

On the 2026 card, the first 20 trip miles cost $45 by car, $80 by cargo van and $200 by 20 to 26 ft box truck. Carson to downtown Long Beach is about 9 miles, so it stays at the base. LAX to downtown Long Beach, about 22 miles, adds mileage for the two miles past 20, set on your written quote.

### Do you serve Long Beach, California or Long Beach, New York?

Long Beach, California only: the port city on San Pedro Bay, crossed by the 405 and the 710. Courier work runs from Fresno down to San Diego, so Long Beach on Long Island is outside it.

### Is there an extra charge because Valencia is over 60 miles away?

No. Drivers who work Long Beach and the South Bay take the runs here, so there is no charge to bring one to you, and only the miles from your pickup to your delivery count. Alvy Logistics has no office or counter in the South Bay; its one warehouse is in Valencia, about 63 miles north of downtown Long Beach by road.

### Do you run courier work for freight forwarders around LAX?

Yes. Drivers carry cartons and documents between freight forwarders near the airport and businesses across the South Bay, timed to the forwarder's cutoff, and recover shipments from the airline cargo terminals on Imperial Highway and Century Boulevard once the airline has released them. Outbound, the driver delivers to the forwarder, and the forwarder hands the freight to the airline. LAX to Torrance is about 11 miles, inside the base rate.

### Do you handle port drayage at the Port of Long Beach?

No. Containers moving between the terminals and inland yards are drayage loads, and that work is outside what Alvy does. Around the harbor, courier runs carry documents, samples and cartons for forwarders, importers and warehouses outside the terminal gates, by car, van or box truck.

### Do you offer courier service in Torrance and Carson?

Yes, along with Gardena, Hawthorne, Redondo Beach, San Pedro and Wilmington. Runs between neighboring cities are short: Gardena to Carson, California is about 6 miles and Redondo Beach to Torrance about 3, both at the base rate of $45 by car or $80 by cargo van.

### Can you deliver pallets in Long Beach to a building without a dock?

Yes. Box trucks are available with the South Bay drivers: a 20 to 26 ft box truck carries the pallets, and a liftgate lowers them to the ground where the receiver has no dock. A pallet jack to roll them inside, or a second person for heavy pieces, is added only when the job needs it and listed on your written quote.

---

# Marketing fulfillment services and merch kits

URL: https://www.alvylogistics.com/fulfillment/marketing-merch-kits
Type: Service
Updated: 2026-10-08

Marketing fulfillment services store your printed materials, merchandise and promotional products, build them into kits, and ship them to events, customers, influencers and teams. Alvy Logistics runs marketing fulfillment from its Valencia warehouse in north Los Angeles County, with courier delivery of kits across Los Angeles. Order processing starts at $5 per order and storage at $25 per pallet per month.

- Who books it: Marketing agencies, entertainment companies and brands
- What we hold: Print, promotional products, samples, merch and kit components
- Local delivery: Courier across Los Angeles, from $45 by car

## What our marketing fulfillment services include

- Print and promo storage: Brochures, signage, swag and merch received, counted and stored by SKU, so you know what is on hand before an event.
- Kit builds: Event, PR, influencer and onboarding kits built to your written spec, with photos of the first kit for you to approve before the run.
- Shipping to recipient lists: One spreadsheet of addresses becomes one order per recipient, with order status in the Logiwa client portal.
- Event delivery: Event kits and materials delivered to venues, hotels and offices on a set date, by parcel or by courier.
- Courier around Los Angeles: Same-day courier by car, cargo van or box truck across Los Angeles County, Orange County and the Inland Empire.
- Merch store orders: Orders from a band, show or brand merch store picked, packed and shipped like any other online order.

## Marketing fulfillment pricing, starting at

Storage, handling and courier rates below are from the Alvy Logistics 2026 warehouse and courier rate cards. Kit build labor is quoted per job from your kit spec.

| Service | Starting at | What changes the price |
|---|---|---|
| Storage | $25 per pallet per month | Pallets of print and merch on hand, or $2.50 per sq ft per month for a dedicated area |
| Receiving | $12 per pallet | Mixed items per pallet, counts by unit |
| Order processing | $5 per order | One order per recipient; build labor priced separately |
| Special projects | $38 an hour | Relabeling, sorting and recounting leftover event stock |
| Courier delivery in Los Angeles | $45 car, $80 cargo van, $200 box truck | Covers the first 20 miles; mileage after that is quoted |

Postage for kits mailed to recipients depends on the carrier service and is added per kit. After-hours and weekend courier timing is added when the job needs it and listed on your quote. Ask for a written quote: it spells out each charge. Rates as of 2026-10-08.

## What is marketing fulfillment?

Marketing fulfillment services handle the physical side of a campaign: storing printed materials, samples, merchandise and promotional products, building them into kits, and getting them to the people and places they are meant for. The work is ecommerce fulfillment with a different recipient. Instead of shoppers, the boxes go to event attendees, influencers, retail partners, sales teams and press.

Alvy Logistics runs marketing fulfillment from one 58,000 sq ft warehouse in Valencia, in north Los Angeles County, about 40 miles from downtown. Because Alvy also runs local courier delivery, a kit built in the morning can reach a Los Angeles venue the same day.

## Who books marketing and merch fulfillment

- **Marketing agencies** running launches, sampling programs and influencer campaigns for several clients, each with its own inventory and kit specs.
- **Entertainment companies** sending press kits, premiere and awards-season mailers, cast and crew gifts, and show merch. See [entertainment and production logistics](https://www.alvylogistics.com/industries/entertainment-production-logistics).
- **Brands** with sales kits, retail displays, onboarding boxes and promotional product programs.

Kits that ship to subscribers on a schedule are covered by [subscription box fulfillment](https://www.alvylogistics.com/fulfillment/subscription-box).

## Promotional product fulfillment: storage for print, promo and merch

Promotional inventory is easy to lose track of. It lives in closets, in a rep's car or at the print shop, and nobody knows how many tote bags are left until the night before an event. Packaging and print, apparel and general merchandise are all goods we store. Items are received against your packing list, counted and stored by SKU, with stock levels in the Logiwa client portal.

Storage is by the pallet from $25 per pallet per month, or dedicated space from $2.50 per sq ft per month for larger programs. Terms are not annual-only, so a seasonal campaign can store for a few months and leave.

## Why is event swag kitting so time consuming?

Most marketing fulfillment ends in a kit: an influencer box with product and a personal note, an event bag with a program and a lanyard, a new-hire box with a hoodie and a notebook. Event and PR kits take time because every one has to look the same and every component has to be there. One missing card means reopening a hundred boxes, and a personal note means matching each box to a name.

We build kits to your written spec and the photo of a finished kit you send, count the components before the build starts, and report shortages before they hold up a ship date. You get photos of the first kit to approve before the run. Recurring programs, such as a quarterly ambassador box or a monthly member kit, run as subscription box cycles from the same stock. Kit build labor is quoted per job. See [kitting and assembly](https://www.alvylogistics.com/fulfillment/kitting-assembly) for what moves the price of a build.

## Sample fulfillment: shipping samples and kits to recipients and events

Send a recipient list as a spreadsheet and each kit or sample pack ships as its own order, from $5 per order processing, with status in the client portal. Parcels leave on carrier pickups at our Valencia dock, and recipients outside the US ship by international parcel. Kits bound for a convention or live event venue can travel with the booth or ship ahead of it; advance warehouse deadlines, show labels and move-in windows are covered under [trade show logistics](https://www.alvylogistics.com/industries/trade-show-logistics).

Event returns matter too. Leftover materials can come back to the warehouse, get counted and go back into stock for the next event, instead of filling someone's garage.

## Courier delivery of kits around Los Angeles

For deliveries in Los Angeles County, Orange County and the Inland Empire, kits can go by [same-day courier](https://www.alvylogistics.com/courier/same-day) instead of through a parcel network. That means a delivery window you set and no overnight stop in a sorting hub. Rates start at $45 by car, $80 by cargo van and $200 by box truck for the first 20 miles. After the first 20 miles, mileage can start as low as $1.20 a mile, depending on the vehicle and the route, and it is set on your written quote. A downtown Los Angeles venue is about 40 miles from Valencia by road. Added stops are priced on your quote, so a run of influencer drops across the Westside costs less than booking a separate run for every kit. The [Los Angeles courier cost guide](https://www.alvylogistics.com/guides/courier-cost-los-angeles) explains what sets the price of a run.

## Merchandise fulfillment for stores and drops

Merch fulfillment for a band, show, creator or brand store is ecommerce fulfillment with a merch catalog: T-shirts and hoodies in many sizes, posters, and limited drops that can sell through in hours. Merch orders are picked and packed like any other online order. Apparel-heavy catalogs follow the size and color setup in [apparel fulfillment](https://www.alvylogistics.com/fulfillment/apparel). Store and channel integrations run through the Logiwa client portal (Shopify, for example), so merch store orders flow straight to the warehouse; name your platform in your quote request.

## What a marketing fulfillment quote needs

- What you need stored: item list, quantities and how it arrives
- Kit specs with a photo, and how many kits per build
- Recipient lists, or event addresses and dates
- Which deliveries are local courier runs in Los Angeles
- How long the program runs

Promotional product fulfillment works best when the printer ships straight to us. Have your vendor send finished goods to Valencia with a packing list, and the first kits can go out as soon as the count is in. Send the details through the quote form or call (661) 344-8766 for a written quote.

## What our marketing fulfillment does not cover

- Printing or decorating: we store, kit and ship what your printer or supplier delivers
- Food or supplements: this is not an FDA-registered facility
- Heat-sensitive items: there is no climate-controlled storage
- Hazardous materials, beyond limited-quantity consumer goods accepted after safety data sheet review

## Marketing fulfillment questions

### What is marketing fulfillment?

Marketing fulfillment is the storage, assembly and shipping of marketing materials: printed literature, samples, branded merchandise, promotional products and kits. A fulfillment provider holds the inventory, builds kits and ships them to customers, prospects, events and staff when you ask.

### What is a swag kit?

A swag kit is a set of branded items packed together, such as a T-shirt, water bottle, notebook and sticker in a branded box. Companies send them to new hires, event attendees, customers and influencers. We store the items, build the kits and ship them to your list.

### How do I package custom swag for shipping?

Choose a box that fits the kit with little empty space, protect anything breakable, put soft goods in poly bags, and place the printed card last so it is the first thing seen. Write it down as a kit spec with a photo, so every kit is packed the same way.

### Who provides branded swag kits?

Two kinds of company: a promotional products supplier or printer makes and decorates the items, and a fulfillment provider stores them, builds the kits and ships them. We do the second part. Have your vendor ship finished goods to our Valencia warehouse with a packing list, and we count them in and hold them until your kits are built.

### Can you deliver kits to an event in Los Angeles?

Yes. Kits and materials can go by courier to a venue, hotel or office across Los Angeles County, Orange County and the Inland Empire, in the window you set. A cargo van starts at $80 for the first 20 miles. Ask the venue for its receiving hours and dock rules first.

### How much does marketing fulfillment cost?

A program pays from $25 per pallet per month to store materials, $12 per pallet to receive them and $5 for each kit shipped as an order, plus postage. Kit build labor is quoted per job from your kit spec, and relabeling and other special projects are $38 an hour.

---

# Courier service in the Inland Empire: Riverside, San Bernardino and Ontario

URL: https://www.alvylogistics.com/courier/inland-empire
Type: Service area
Updated: 2026-10-08

Alvy Logistics offers a courier service in the Inland Empire for businesses, using independent-contractor drivers who are based in Riverside and San Bernardino counties to take same-day and scheduled runs in Riverside, San Bernardino, Ontario, Rancho Cucamonga, Fontana and Temecula. Pricing starts at $45 for a car run of up to 20 trip miles, $80 for a cargo van and $200 for a 20 to 26 ft box truck.

- Serving: Riverside, San Bernardino, Ontario and the rest of the Inland Empire
- Drivers: Independent contractors based in the region
- Starting at: Car $45, cargo van $80, box truck $200 for the first 20 miles

- From Valencia on the 210: From our Valencia address, the I-5 and the 210 Foothill Freeway reach the Inland Empire without going through downtown Los Angeles. By road that is about 72 miles to Chino, 74 to Ontario, 76 to Rancho Cucamonga, 84 to Fontana and Corona, 91 to Riverside and 93 to San Bernardino.
- Where the 10, the 60 and the 15 cross: Two east-west freeways cross the warehouse belt: the I-10 through Ontario, Fontana and on to Redlands, and the 60 through Chino, Ontario, Jurupa Valley, Riverside and Moreno Valley. The I-15 crosses both on its way from Corona north to the Cajon Pass, and the 215 runs from San Bernardino through Riverside to Murrieta, where it rejoins the I-15.
- Two cargo airports: In the FAA's final 2024 figures for all-cargo landed weight, Ontario International (ONT) ranked eighth in the United States and San Bernardino International (SBD), on the former Norton Air Force Base, ranked 25th. ONT sits beside the I-10 in Ontario, about 17 miles from downtown Riverside by the 60.
- The 91 toward Orange County: The 91 is the main link from Riverside and Corona into Orange County. RCTC's 2024 corridor plan finds it most congested westbound from 6 to 9am and eastbound from 3 to 7pm, and toll express lanes run about 18 miles from the 55 in Anaheim to the I-15 in Corona. Riverside to Irvine is about 44 miles on toll-free freeways.

## Inland Empire courier runs we handle

- Warehouse-to-store runs: Cartons or a few pallets from a distribution center to stores across the region, Los Angeles and Orange County.
- Parts for a stopped line: A replacement part, scanner or tool taken straight to a distribution center or plant the same day.
- Documents between sites: Signed paperwork, checks and files carried between distribution centers, offices and banks.
- Medical runs: Sealed specimens and clinical supplies between clinics, labs and hospitals in Riverside and San Bernardino counties.
- Recurring loops: Set days and set stops between your own sites, quoted per stop or per route.
- Box truck with liftgate: Box trucks are available with the region's drivers for full pallets or oversized cartons; a liftgate or pallet jack is added when the site has no dock.

## Inland Empire courier pricing, starting at

Figures come from the 2026 courier rate card. No run costs less than its vehicle's base rate, which already pays for 20 miles of driving from pickup to drop-off.

| Vehicle | Starting at | Riverside to Ontario International Airport (about 17 miles) |
|---|---|---|
| Car (paperwork, scanners, sealed specimens) | $45 for the first 20 trip miles | $45 |
| Cargo van (cartons, conveyor parts, returns) | $80 for the first 20 trip miles | $80 |
| 20 to 26 ft box truck (full pallets, bulk cartons) | $200 for the first 20 trip miles | $200 |

There is no charge to bring a driver to you: our drivers are based in the Inland Empire. Mileage runs from the pickup dock to the delivery dock, wherever in the region they are. After the first 20 miles, mileage can start as low as $1.20 a mile, depending on the vehicle and the route, and it is set on your written quote. A liftgate or pallet jack, wait time, a second stop, night or weekend work are added only when the job needs them and listed on your written quote, so ask for one before you book. A fuel surcharge may apply. Tolls, when a route uses a toll road or express lane, are passed through at cost. Rates as of 2026-10-08.

## What does a courier service in the Inland Empire cover?

Alvy Logistics offers a courier service in the Inland Empire, the Riverside and San Bernardino County region east of Los Angeles. Business runs here are taken by independent-contractor drivers who are based in the region. The company's one warehouse is in Valencia, in north Los Angeles County; there is no Inland Empire office or depot, so drivers collect at your dock, gate or front desk.

A coordinator picks the vehicle to fit the load, from a car for paperwork to a 20 to 26 ft box truck when pallets are involved (box trucks are available with the drivers based here), and the price is in writing before a driver is sent. Jobs run on demand or on a standing schedule.

## What do Inland Empire warehouses send by courier?

The Inland Empire is lined with warehouses and distribution centers, especially along the I-10, the 60 and the I-15. Most of what leaves those buildings moves by the truckload, but the jobs a courier gets come from the gaps between the trucks:

- **Warehouse-to-store runs**: a few cartons or pallets from a distribution center to stores that ran short, across the region and into Los Angeles and Orange County, by cargo van or [box truck](https://www.alvylogistics.com/courier/box-truck-delivery).
- **Parts for a stopped line**: a conveyor motor, a handheld scanner, a forklift part or a label printer that a distribution center or plant needs today.
- **Documents between sites**: signed paperwork, checks and files between a distribution center, a corporate office and a bank. When your process requires it, the driver signs your custody form or delivery receipt at handoff, as the driver or carrier.
- **Returns and samples**: product moved from one building to another, or samples taken to a buyer's office.
- **Medical specimens and supplies**, covered below.

When a brand ships to its own business customers from an Inland Empire building, [final mile delivery](https://www.alvylogistics.com/courier/final-mile-delivery) covers the store and job site drops.

## What does a courier run in the Inland Empire cost?

Inland Empire runs start at $45 by car, $80 by cargo van and $200 by box truck, unchanged from Los Angeles. The vehicle's base rate already includes 20 trip miles, and mileage from the 21st mile on is set on your written quote. The Inland Empire trips below show which runs stay at the base rate and which add mileage, before extras.

| Inland Empire trip | Road miles, approx. | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Riverside to Ontario International Airport | 17 miles | Base rate only |
| Ontario to San Bernardino | 24 miles | Base rate plus mileage |
| Riverside to Temecula | 41 miles | Base rate plus mileage |
| Downtown Los Angeles to Riverside | 56 miles | Base rate plus mileage |
| Valencia warehouse to Ontario | 74 miles | Base rate plus mileage |

Each mileage is a routed figure between city halls (the Valencia row starts at our address), and a real quote uses your two addresses. There is no extra charge for an Inland Empire driver to reach you, long runs have no separate long-distance band, tolls pass through at cost, and a fuel surcharge may apply. Wait time, added stops, a liftgate or pallet jack and night or weekend work are added only when the job needs them, and your written quote lists each one. The [Los Angeles courier pricing guide](https://www.alvylogistics.com/guides/courier-cost-los-angeles) explains how a quote is built.

## Which Inland Empire cities do you serve?

### Ontario, Rancho Cucamonga, Chino and Fontana

Ontario, California sits at the center of the west end: the I-10 and the I-15 cross there, east of Ontario International Airport, and the 60 runs through the south of the city. Rancho Cucamonga is about 7 miles north of Ontario's civic center and Chino about 6 miles south, so runs among the three usually stay at the base rate. Fontana is about 15 miles east of Ontario on the I-10.

### Riverside, Corona and Moreno Valley

From downtown Riverside, San Bernardino is about 11 miles by the 91 and the 215, Corona about 15 miles west on the 91, and Moreno Valley about 11 miles east, where warehouses line the 60 and the 215.

### San Bernardino and Redlands

The 215 runs through San Bernardino, meeting the I-10 at the south end of the city and the 210 on its north side. Redlands is about 11 miles east of downtown San Bernardino on the I-10, with Loma Linda between the two.

### Temecula and Murrieta

The I-15 and the 215 rejoin at Murrieta, and Temecula is about 7 miles south of it. For runs that continue into North County, see our [San Diego courier](https://www.alvylogistics.com/courier/san-diego) page.

## How does medical courier work run in Riverside and San Bernardino?

Medical runs here link clinics, labs and pharmacies with the large hospital campuses in Loma Linda, Colton and Moreno Valley, as STAT trips or scheduled pickups. The clinic or lab packs and seals every specimen, and the driver delivers it unopened to the receiving point you name. Courier vehicles have no powered cooling, so the shipper's insulated packaging keeps a cold specimen cold. Our [medical courier](https://www.alvylogistics.com/courier/medical) page explains how UN3373 packages are packed and marked.

## What should I send for an Inland Empire courier quote?

Send both addresses, how many pieces and what they weigh, when it has to arrive, and how the building receives. Distribution centers often check drivers in at a gate and receive by appointment, so include the dock hours, any appointment or PO number and the gate instructions. Existing accounts book runs in our online shipper portal and can watch each van or truck across the Inland Empire with live driver tracking, an onsite update when it checks in at the distribution center gate, and pickup and delivery photos for your receiving records; business clients are invoiced. Warehouses and 3PLs in Ontario, Fontana or Riverside that run their own TMS can usually link it to the portal. For a written quote or a new account, call (661) 344-8766 (weekdays, 8am to 8pm Pacific) or use the [quote form](https://www.alvylogistics.com/request-quote).

## What the Inland Empire courier service leaves out

- A pickup counter or depot anywhere in the region: drivers come to your dock or front desk
- Household goods or residential moves
- Full truckload or LTL freight, which is quoted separately on the freight side
- Controlled substances, or loads that need cooling equipment on the vehicle

## Inland Empire courier questions, answered

### How much is a courier from Riverside to Ontario or San Bernardino?

Riverside to Ontario International Airport is about 17 miles, so it stays at the 2026 base rate whatever the vehicle: $45, $80 or $200 depending on its size. Ontario to San Bernardino runs about 24 miles, four past the base, so your written quote adds mileage for those four miles.

### Do you serve Ontario, California, or Ontario, Canada?

Ontario, California only: the San Bernardino County city beside Ontario International Airport, crossed by the I-10, the 60 and the I-15. Courier work runs from Fresno to San Diego, so Canadian addresses are outside it.

### Are your Inland Empire drivers based in the region?

Yes. Independent-contractor drivers based in the Inland Empire take the local runs by car, cargo van or 20 to 26 ft box truck: box trucks are available with the drivers here too. The company has one warehouse, in Valencia, and no office or depot in Riverside or San Bernardino counties.

### Can a courier get a part to a distribution center the same day?

Yes. A same-day run goes straight from pickup to the dock, gate or front desk you name. Send the receiving hours and any check-in rules when you book. Riverside to a Fontana building, about 11 miles, is $45 by car.

### Can you handle medical courier runs in San Bernardino?

Yes, in San Bernardino and Riverside counties, for clinics, labs, pharmacies and hospital campuses, either STAT or on a set route. The sender packs, seals and labels each specimen, and it reaches the receiving point still sealed. Vehicles are ambient, and controlled substances are outside the service.

### Can you deliver from the Inland Empire to Los Angeles or Orange County?

Yes, priced on the full trip miles. Downtown Los Angeles to Riverside is about 56 miles and Riverside to Irvine about 44 miles on the 91 and the 55, so both are the base rate plus mileage, set on your written quote. Peaks on the 91 and the 60 decide the delivery window, which is confirmed at booking.

### Do you cover Temecula and Murrieta?

Yes. Both sit on the I-15 in southwest Riverside County, about 7 miles apart, so a run between them is priced at the base rate. Temecula is about 41 miles from downtown Riverside, and Escondido in San Diego County is about 28 miles further south.

---

# Subscription box fulfillment services from Valencia, California

URL: https://www.alvylogistics.com/fulfillment/subscription-box
Type: Service
Updated: 2026-10-06

Subscription box fulfillment means a 3PL receives the components, builds each cycle's boxes in one batch and ships them to subscribers inside a set window. Alvy Logistics runs subscription box cycles from its Valencia, California warehouse, with first-box photo approval before each batch. Storage starts at $25 a pallet a month and order processing at $5 an order; kitting labor is quoted from a sample box.

- Who books it: Box programs shipping a few hundred to several thousand boxes a month
- How it is priced: Storage from $25 a pallet a month, order processing from $5 an order, kitting quoted
- Where: One 58,000 sq ft ambient warehouse in Valencia, CA

## What our subscription box fulfillment services include

- Components received ahead of the cycle: Products, mailer boxes, tissue and printed cards counted against your packing list, with shortages reported before the build window opens.
- Batch kitting to your box spec: Every box in the cycle built the same way, in the packing order and placement your spec and photo show.
- First-box photo approval: The first box of each cycle is built and photographed for you to approve before the batch starts.
- Variants and inserts: Shade or size variants built as their own version of the kit and matched to the subscribers who chose them, with each cycle's card or sample.
- Shipping inside your window: Boxes collected by parcel carriers at the Valencia dock, including international parcels for subscribers outside the US.
- Between-cycle orders and returns: New sign-ups, replacements and one-off store orders ship from the same stock against an agreed daily cutoff; returned boxes are processed.

## Subscription box fulfillment pricing, starting at

Kitting labor depends on how many items go into each box and how they are presented, so it is quoted per cycle from a sample box. Everything around the build comes from the Alvy Logistics 2026 warehouse rate card.

| Service | Starting at | What changes the price |
|---|---|---|
| Receiving components | $12 per pallet | Loose cartons or mixed pallets that need sorting by SKU before the build |
| Storage | $25 per pallet per month | Pallets of components, mailer boxes and inserts on hand between cycles |
| Kitting labor | Quoted from a sample box | Items per box, tissue and placement, variants, cycle size |
| Order processing | $5 per order | Boxes and inserts per order, packing slips |

Postage is charged on top, by carrier, service and destination. Ask for a written quote: it lists the kitting labor and each rate above before the first cycle. Rates as of 2026-10-08.

Subscription box fulfillment is the warehouse side of a box program: receiving what goes in the box, building every box for the cycle, and shipping them to the subscriber list inside a set window. Alvy Logistics runs subscription box cycles from one 58,000 sq ft ambient warehouse in Valencia, California, on the I-5 north of Los Angeles, alongside your store orders.

## What is subscription box fulfillment?

A subscription box ships curated contents to a list of subscribers on a schedule, usually monthly or quarterly. The work behind it is [kitting and assembly](https://www.alvylogistics.com/fulfillment/kitting-assembly) on a calendar. Everyday ecommerce [pick and pack](https://www.alvylogistics.com/fulfillment/pick-and-pack) builds each order the moment it arrives. A subscription cycle builds hundreds or thousands of near-identical boxes in one batch, then ships them together.

Judge subscription fulfillment services on two things: every box matches the approved box, and the cycle leaves inside the window you promised. The Valencia building works as your subscription box fulfillment center for both.

## How does a subscription box cycle run at a 3PL?

Every cycle follows a calendar we set with you before the first one:

1. **You send the box spec and cycle dates.** What goes in the box, the packing order, any printed inserts, a photo or sample, the build date and the ship window.
2. **Components arrive ahead of the cycle.** Products, mailer boxes, tissue and cards land at the Valencia dock by parcel, pallet or container and are counted against your packing list. Shortages are reported before the build window opens, because one missing item holds up the whole cycle. Items with lot numbers or expiry dates are tracked by lot and used oldest date first, so a box does not go out with short-dated stock.
3. **You approve the first box.** The first box of each cycle is built to the spec and photographed, and the batch starts only after you approve the photos.
4. **The subscriber file locks.** Your store sends the cycle's orders once its own cutoff passes: renewals that went through, new sign-ups, and the right variant for each subscriber.
5. **The batch is built and shipped.** Boxes are built, packed and labeled, then collected by parcel carriers at the Valencia dock inside your ship window. Ground carriers reach most of the West in one to two days.
6. **Between cycles, orders keep moving.** New sign-ups, replacement boxes and one-off store orders ship from the same stock against a daily order cutoff we agree with you.

Inserts change every cycle and cause most errors, so they belong on the spec and in the first-box photo. Variants, such as a shade or a size, are each built as their own version of the kit and matched to the subscribers who chose them.

## Who handles failed payments, skips and returns?

Billing stays in your store platform. Renewals, failed payments, skipped months and cancellations are handled in your store or its subscription app, which decides who gets a box this cycle. Your store connects through the Logiwa client portal (Shopify, for example), and the warehouse ships what the store releases. That split keeps the subscriber file in one place: if a payment fails after the cutoff, you hold or cancel the order in the store, not by email to the warehouse. Stock and order status show in the portal before you plan the next cycle.

Returned and undeliverable boxes come back to Valencia and are processed to your instructions. [Reverse logistics](https://www.alvylogistics.com/fulfillment/reverse-logistics) covers how returns work.

## Can boxes ship to subscribers outside the US?

Yes, by international parcel from the same dock. Send the countries on your subscriber list with your quote request, so postage is priced for each destination before the first cycle. International parcels take longer than ground, so you may want those boxes out first in the window.

## How much does subscription box fulfillment cost?

The subscription box fulfillment cost at a 3PL comes from four lines plus postage: receiving the components, storing them, building the boxes and processing each order. Receiving runs from $12 per pallet, storage from $25 a pallet a month and order processing from $5 an order. Kitting labor is quoted per cycle from a sample box, because it depends on:

- **Items per box.** Three items drop in fast. Eight items, tissue and a card placed to a photo take longer.
- **Presentation.** Folding, wrapping and placement add time to every box.
- **Cycle size.** Setup and the first-box check are spread across the whole batch, so larger cycles tend to cost less per box.
- **Inbound condition.** Components that arrive counted, labeled and palletized by SKU go straight to the build.

A worked example from the rate card: an 800-box cycle whose components arrive on five pallets and stay a month costs 5 × $12 = $60 to receive, 5 × $25 = $125 to store and 800 × $5 = $4,000 in order processing. Kitting labor and postage come on top, and business clients are invoiced. For the wider picture, read the [3PL and pallet storage pricing guide](https://www.alvylogistics.com/guides/3pl-pallet-storage-pricing).

## What do you need to quote a subscription box?

- Subscriber count now, and where you expect it in six months
- Cycle dates: how often you ship, the build date and the ship window
- Components per box, including inserts and any variants
- Box size and weight, with a photo or sample of a finished box
- How components arrive (parcel, pallet or container) and the countries on your list

## Choosing among subscription box fulfillment companies

Most subscription box fulfillment companies can store and ship. The differences show up in the cycle: whether the first box is approved before the batch, whether shortages are flagged before build day, and whether one-off store orders keep shipping from the same stock between cycles.

A subscription box 3PL like ours fits programs shipping a few hundred to several thousand boxes a month: beauty and personal care boxes (see [beauty and cosmetics fulfillment](https://www.alvylogistics.com/fulfillment/beauty-cosmetics)), apparel boxes and boxes of general merchandise. Fragrance, nail polish and aerosol samples are accepted as limited-quantity consumer goods after a safety data sheet review. Food, drink and supplement boxes are out: this is not an FDA-registered facility, and there is no cold storage. If your list is under a few hundred subscribers and you have room to pack, in-house is usually cheaper, and we will say so before you move any stock.

Send the details above through the quote form or call (661) 344-8766 for a written quote that prices the cycle and every charge around it.

## What our subscription box fulfillment does not cover

- Food or supplements: this is not an FDA-registered facility
- Hazardous materials, beyond limited-quantity consumer goods accepted after safety data sheet review
- Refrigerated or perishable items: there is no cold storage
- Subscription billing, skips and failed payments, which stay in your store platform

## Subscription box fulfillment questions

### What is subscription box fulfillment?

Subscription box fulfillment is the warehouse work behind a box program: receiving the items that go in the box, assembling every box for the cycle in a batch, and shipping them to the subscriber list on a schedule. It is kitting on a calendar, rather than packing each order as it arrives.

### How much does subscription box fulfillment cost?

At Alvy Logistics, receiving starts at $12 per pallet, storage at $25 a pallet a month and order processing at $5 an order. Kitting labor is quoted per cycle from a sample box, and postage is added by carrier and destination. A written quote lists every line before the first cycle.

### When should I outsource subscription box fulfillment?

Usually when packing day takes over the business: a few hundred boxes a month or more, no room to stage a full cycle, or a ship window you keep missing. Under a few hundred boxes a month, with space to pack, in-house is usually cheaper, and we will tell you so.

### What do you need from me to quote subscription box fulfillment?

Your subscriber count, how often you ship and the ship window you want, the components in each box including inserts and variants, the box size and weight with a photo or sample, how components will arrive, and the countries on your subscriber list. With that, we quote the cycle.

### How do skips, failed payments and cancellations work with a 3PL?

They are handled in your store or its subscription app, not in the warehouse. The store decides who gets a box this cycle and sends those orders through the Logiwa client portal after its cutoff. The warehouse builds and ships what the store releases, so the subscriber file lives in one place.

### Can you ship subscription boxes to subscribers outside the US?

Yes, by international parcel from the same Valencia dock. Send the countries on your list with your quote request, so postage is priced for each destination before the first cycle. Domestic boxes go by ground carriers, which reach most of the West in one to two days.

---

# Courier service in Orange County: Irvine, Anaheim, Santa Ana and beyond

URL: https://www.alvylogistics.com/courier/orange-county
Type: Service area
Updated: 2026-10-08

Courier service in Orange County with Alvy Logistics covers same-day and scheduled business runs in Irvine, Anaheim, Santa Ana, Costa Mesa and the rest of the county, taken by independent-contractor drivers based there. A car run starts at $45 for the first 20 trip miles, and the device, supply and specimen runs that move between the same Irvine-area sites each week suit a scheduled route.

- Serving: Irvine, Anaheim, Santa Ana and the rest of Orange County
- Drivers: Contractor drivers based in Orange County
- Starting at: Car runs from $45 (first 20 miles)

- From the Valencia warehouse on the I-5: Stock released from our Valencia warehouse reaches Orange County on the I-5, through downtown Los Angeles to Anaheim, Santa Ana, Tustin and Irvine. Measured by road from the warehouse, that is about 65 miles to Anaheim and Fullerton, about 70 to Orange and Santa Ana, about 75 to Tustin and Huntington Beach, about 80 to Irvine, Costa Mesa and John Wayne Airport, and a little more to Newport Beach.
- The 405, the 55 and the 57: From LAX and the South Bay, the 405 runs through Long Beach into Huntington Beach, Costa Mesa and Irvine, where it meets the I-5 at the El Toro Y. The 55 links Newport Beach and Costa Mesa with Santa Ana, Tustin and Orange. The 57 runs north from Orange through Anaheim and Fullerton.
- Irvine business parks and John Wayne Airport: Much of Irvine's commercial space sits in two clusters: the Irvine Business Complex beside John Wayne Airport and the Irvine Spectrum area near the I-5 and 405 junction. Many buildings route deliveries through a shared receiving dock or a lobby desk, so a suite number and a contact name keep handoffs quick.
- Medical device and healthcare work: Irvine is the center of Orange County's medical device industry, and labs, clinics and hospitals sit across the cities around it. Device cases, supplies and specimens tend to move between the same sites on the same days, which is the kind of work a scheduled route handles well.
- Timing between Los Angeles and Orange County: When the freeways are clear, routing estimates put downtown Los Angeles to Irvine at about 45 to 50 minutes and the Valencia warehouse to Irvine at about an hour and a half. Weekday peaks on the I-5 and the 405 add to both, so plan on the window the coordinator gives you at booking.

## Orange County courier services we run

- Same-day runs: Documents, parts, cartons and specimens dispatched when you book, across the county or in from Los Angeles.
- Scheduled routes: Recurring pickups and deliveries on a fixed window, quoted per stop or per route instead of per run.
- Los Angeles to Orange County: Runs between Los Angeles County sites and Orange County, on the I-5 or the 405 depending on where the pickup is.
- Stock from our Valencia warehouse: Inventory stored in Valencia, delivered to Orange County stores, job sites and business customers.
- Medical and device runs: Specimen, supply and device deliveries for labs, clinics and device companies in Irvine and beyond.
- Box truck and pallets: Box trucks are available with our Orange County drivers for palletized stock, store fixtures and other bulky loads, with a liftgate or pallet jack added when the site needs one.

## Orange County courier rates, starting at

Every figure here comes off the 2026 Alvy Logistics courier card, the one used for Los Angeles runs. The base rate is the least a run can cost and already counts its first 20 trip miles.

| Vehicle | Starting at | Anaheim to Irvine (about 15 to 19 miles) |
|---|---|---|
| Car (contracts, small parcels, sealed specimens) | $45 for the first 20 trip miles | $45 |
| Cargo van (cartons, device cases, parts) | $80 for the first 20 trip miles | $80 |
| 20 to 26 ft box truck (palletized orders, furniture, displays) | $200 for the first 20 trip miles | $200 |

There is no charge to bring a driver to you: our drivers are based in Orange County. A run inside the county is billed on the miles between its two addresses, so a trip like Anaheim to Irvine stays at the base rate. When a pickup starts in Valencia, such as stock released from our warehouse, the trip miles count from Valencia. After the first 20 miles, mileage can start as low as $1.20 a mile, depending on the vehicle and the route, and it is set on your written quote. Wait time, added stops, a liftgate or pallet jack, night or weekend work are added only when the job needs them and listed on your written quote, so ask for one before you book. A fuel surcharge may apply. Tolls, when a route uses a toll road or express lane, are passed through at cost. Rates as of 2026-10-08.

## How does courier service in Orange County work?

Alvy Logistics offers courier service in Orange County for businesses, with local runs handled by drivers based in Orange County, all independent contractors, and priced on trip miles, just as Los Angeles runs are. Alvy's base, with its single warehouse, is in Valencia, roughly 65 miles up the I-5 from Anaheim; there is no Orange County office or counter.

The work falls into four kinds of run: runs that start and end inside the county; same-day deliveries from Los Angeles into Irvine, Anaheim and Santa Ana; scheduled routes on a fixed window; and stock released from the Valencia warehouse to Orange County stores, job sites and business customers. Whoever books is always a business.

## What courier services are available in Orange County?

- **Same-day courier** for documents, parts, cartons and specimens that cannot wait for tomorrow (see our [same-day delivery options](https://www.alvylogistics.com/courier/same-day)).
- **Scheduled routes** that repeat daily or weekly at a fixed window, quoted per stop or per route.
- **[Final mile delivery service](https://www.alvylogistics.com/courier/final-mile-delivery)** for brands and retailers sending to stores and customers.
- **[Medical courier runs](https://www.alvylogistics.com/courier/medical)** for labs, clinics, pharmacies and device companies.
- **[Box truck deliveries](https://www.alvylogistics.com/courier/box-truck-delivery)** of pallets, fixtures and bulky freight, with a liftgate for buildings without a dock. Box trucks are available with our Orange County drivers.
- **Trade show and event deliveries** to venues and their loading docks, such as the Anaheim Convention Center. Drivers deliver to the dock or service entrance; booth setup is not included. Our [trade show logistics](https://www.alvylogistics.com/industries/trade-show-logistics) page covers advance warehouses, move-in times and booth storage.
- **White glove delivery**: inside placement and debris removal for retailers and designers.

## Can you deliver the same day in Orange County?

Yes. Same-day courier work in Orange County comes down to where the run starts. Inside the county, a driver based in Orange County takes the run, and most trips are short. Runs in from Los Angeles use the I-5 or the 405: Irvine sits about 40 road miles from downtown Los Angeles, and pickups on the Westside, at LAX or in the South Bay usually go down the 405, which reaches Costa Mesa and Irvine without crossing downtown.

Weekday peaks on both freeways add real time to those runs. Rather than promise a time the freeway will not allow, the coordinator times the departure around the traffic and tells you the delivery window before the driver leaves. Night and weekend runs are available, with the added charge listed on your written quote.

## Where do courier services in Irvine deliver?

Most Irvine deliveries go to business parks rather than storefronts: the offices, labs and light industrial buildings of the Irvine Business Complex beside John Wayne Airport, and the Irvine Spectrum area at the El Toro Y, where the I-5 and the 405 meet. The two are about 7 miles apart by road, so a run between them, or from either to Santa Ana, fits inside the base rate.

For a courier service in Irvine, the details that speed up a delivery are the suite number, a named contact with a phone number, and the receiving hours. Device cases bound for hospitals and specimens bound for labs often repeat daily, which suits a scheduled route, with STAT runs for the exceptions.

## What do businesses in Anaheim send by courier?

Anaheim has two very different delivery areas. The resort district around the Anaheim Convention Center, on Katella Avenue and Harbor Boulevard, is hotels, venues and the businesses that serve them. Trade show and event deliveries go there: exhibit cartons, displays and materials delivered to the venue's loading dock, by cargo van or box truck (booth setup is not part of the service). For a delivery there, name the receiving dock or service entrance on the booking, along with any move-in time slot, not just the street address. East along the 91, Anaheim Canyon is a large business district of manufacturers, distributors and light industrial buildings, which suit cargo van and box truck runs.

The I-5 and the 57 cross the city and the 91 runs east toward the Inland Empire. From the resort district, Santa Ana's Civic Center is about 5 to 6 miles by road and John Wayne Airport about 13.

## What does a courier service in Santa Ana carry?

Santa Ana is the county seat. Its Civic Center holds county offices, the Superior Court's Central Justice Center and the Ronald Reagan Federal Building and Courthouse, so much of what businesses send there by courier is paper: originals and signed contracts moving between law offices, title and escrow companies and the Civic Center buildings. A run there needs the exact building, floor and department. Where your paperwork needs it, our Orange County driver signs the custody form or receipt at the handoff, as the driver.

The I-5, the 55 and the 22 all touch the city, and the south end, toward the 405 and John Wayne Airport, has business parks and light industrial buildings. Santa Ana to Irvine is about 7 to 12 miles depending on where in Irvine, and downtown Los Angeles to the Civic Center is about 32 miles, so a run from downtown is the base rate plus mileage.

## How much does a courier service cost in Orange County?

An Orange County run costs what the same run would in Los Angeles: from $45 by car, $80 by cargo van and $200 by box truck. Every run starts with the vehicle's base rate, which includes the first 20 trip miles, and mileage past that is set on your written quote. A run inside the county is billed on its own trip miles, and most runs between neighboring Orange County cities, from Fullerton to Tustin or Costa Mesa to Newport Beach, stay inside those 20 miles. When the pickup is our Valencia warehouse, the trip miles count from Valencia. The Orange County runs below show which trips stay at the base rate and which add mileage; extras come on top.

| Orange County trip | Miles, roughly | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Anaheim to Irvine | 15 to 19 miles | Base rate only |
| Downtown Los Angeles to Irvine | 40 miles | Base rate plus mileage |
| Valencia warehouse to Anaheim | 65 miles | Base rate plus mileage |
| Valencia warehouse to Irvine or John Wayne Airport | 80 miles | Base rate plus mileage |

Distances are routed driving miles, city center to city center or from our Valencia address; your quote follows your real addresses. There is no charge to send an Orange County driver to you; long runs have no separate long-distance band, tolls pass through at cost, and a fuel surcharge may apply. Wait time, added stops, a liftgate, a second person and night or weekend work are added only when the job needs them, and your written quote lists each one. Our [courier pricing breakdown for Los Angeles](https://www.alvylogistics.com/guides/courier-cost-los-angeles) explains how a quote is built.

## How do I book an Orange County courier run?

For an Orange County quote we need both addresses, the piece count and weight, the delivery window, and how the building receives: a dock, a suite number or a security desk. Once your account is open, you book each run in our online shipper portal and follow it from Irvine to Anaheim or wherever it is headed in the county: where the driver is right now, a status note when they reach the security desk or dock, and a photo at each end as proof of pickup and delivery, and business clients are invoiced. For a written quote, call (661) 344-8766, weekdays between 8am and 8pm Pacific, or send a [quote request](https://www.alvylogistics.com/request-quote).

## Where our Orange County courier service stops

- A walk-in counter or drop-off point in Orange County: our one facility is the Valencia warehouse
- Household goods or residential moves
- Specimens or goods that need refrigeration during the run
- Controlled substances

## Orange County courier service questions

### How do courier services work for Orange County businesses?

Call during business hours or book in our online shipper portal, giving both addresses, what is going and the window. A coordinator sizes the vehicle to the load, from a small car up to a box truck, and assigns a contractor driver based in Orange County, and the 2026 rate card prices the run on its trip miles.

### What is the average cost for a courier service in Orange County?

No single average exists, since the vehicle and the trip miles decide the price. Inside the county, a run of 20 trip miles or less costs $45 in a car, $80 in a cargo van or $200 in a box truck on our card. Longer runs, such as up to Los Angeles, add mileage past 20 miles, set on your written quote.

### Do you have drivers in Orange County?

Yes. Independent-contractor drivers based in Orange County take the local runs, priced on trip miles like any Los Angeles run. The company's base and its one warehouse are in Valencia, up the I-5 from the San Fernando Valley. Stock released from that warehouse is priced on the miles from Valencia: about 65 to Anaheim and 80 to Irvine.

### How fast can a courier get from Los Angeles to Irvine?

The same day. Downtown Los Angeles to Irvine is about 40 miles by road, so the run is the base rate plus mileage, set on your written quote. Weekday traffic on the I-5 and the 405 sets the real arrival time, so the coordinator gives you a delivery window at booking rather than a promise.

### Which courier service is cheaper for Orange County deliveries?

Start with where the run begins. A trip that stays inside the county is priced on its own miles and often fits in the base rate, while stock sent from the Valencia warehouse carries 65 to 85 miles. Then size the vehicle: a car's base is $35 below a cargo van's.

### Do you run scheduled courier routes in Orange County?

Yes. Recurring routes, such as daily lab pickups, store replenishment or parts runs between sites, run on a fixed window and are quoted per stop or per route. Tell us the stops, the days and the windows and a coordinator will price the route.

---

# Reverse logistics services and returns processing

URL: https://www.alvylogistics.com/fulfillment/reverse-logistics
Type: Service
Updated: 2026-10-08

Reverse logistics services handle everything coming back after a sale: customer returns, retailer returns, refused or damaged shipments and stock pulled from the market. Alvy Logistics receives returns at its Valencia, California warehouse, inspects and grades each item to your rules, restocks sellable units in the Logiwa portal, and holds, returns to vendor or disposes of the rest. Handling starts at $12 a pallet; unit handling is quoted.

- Best fit: Brands with steady returns from customers, stores or retailers
- Visibility: Restocked units shown in the Logiwa client portal
- Starting at: $12 per pallet handling, per-unit return handling quoted

## What our reverse logistics services include

- Returns receiving: Returned parcels, cartons and pallets received at the Valencia dock and matched to the original order or the retailer's paperwork.
- Inspection and grading: Each item checked and graded against your written rules: sellable, sellable after rework, damaged or unsellable.
- Restock to sellable stock: Sellable units put back in their storage location and shown as available stock in the Logiwa client portal.
- Rework: Refolding, rebagging, relabeling and retagging billed as special project labor from $38 an hour.
- Set aside, return or dispose: Units outside your rules held apart for your decision, sent back to the supplier, or disposed of per your written instructions.
- Returns reporting: What came back, how it graded and where it went, reported as returns are processed rather than saved for month end.

## Reverse logistics pricing, starting at

Per-unit return handling depends on how many returns arrive, how they come back and how deep the inspection goes, so it is quoted from your return volume and rules. The other figures come from the Alvy Logistics 2026 warehouse and courier rate cards.

| Service | Starting at | What changes the price |
|---|---|---|
| Returns received by the pallet | $12 per pallet | Mixed SKUs, unit counts and paperwork checks; the same rate applies going out |
| Per-unit return handling | Quoted from your return volume | Returns a month, parcels or pallets, inspection depth and grading rules |
| Storage of returned stock | $25 per pallet per month | Pallets of returned and set-aside stock held on hand |
| Rework | $38 an hour | Refolding, rebagging, relabeling and retagging |
| Local return pickup by courier | From $45 by car or $80 by cargo van | Covers the first 20 miles; mileage after that and the vehicle size are quoted |

Exchanges ship as new orders, with order processing from $5 per order plus postage. Disposal and return-to-vendor shipments are quoted. Ask for a written quote: every charge is on it before you sign. Rates as of 2026-10-08.

## What is reverse logistics?

Reverse logistics services manage goods moving the other way: from the customer, the store or the retailer back to the warehouse, and on to wherever each item goes next. Forward logistics follows a plan. Reverse logistics does not. Returns arrive one parcel at a time, on no schedule and in every condition, and each one needs a decision.

Reverse logistics is the physical side of returns: getting the item back, checking it, and sending it back to stock, to a supplier or out of inventory. Returns management is the customer side (the policy, the return authorization and the refund), which usually stays with your store. Alvy Logistics runs the physical side from one 58,000 sq ft warehouse in Valencia, California, as part of our [ecommerce fulfillment](https://www.alvylogistics.com/fulfillment) work.

## What do returns management services cover for a brand?

For an ecommerce or wholesale brand, five kinds of goods come back:

- **Customer returns.** Wrong size, changed mind, arrived damaged. This is ecommerce reverse logistics, and it is the steady flow.
- **Retailer returns.** Unsold stock, damaged cartons and shipments a retailer sends back over a routing guide error or a chargeback. These come back by the carton or pallet. See [B2B and wholesale fulfillment](https://www.alvylogistics.com/fulfillment/b2b-wholesale) for how those orders go out right the first time.
- **Damaged and refused shipments.** Parcels refused at the door, undeliverable addresses and freight that arrived damaged.
- **Recalls and withdrawals.** General merchandise you pull from the market. Recalls of food, supplements, drugs or regulated medical product are not something we handle.
- **End-of-season stock.** Overstock from stores, brought back to be counted, regraded and stored or cleared.

## How does ecommerce returns processing work at our warehouse?

Returns processing in Valencia runs to rules you write down before the first return arrives:

1. **Receive.** Returned parcels and pallets come in at the Valencia dock and are matched to the original order, or to the retailer's paperwork where there is some.
2. **Inspect and grade.** Each item is checked against your rules and graded, for example new and sellable, sellable after rework, damaged, or unsellable.
3. **Restock.** Sellable units go back into their storage location and show as available stock in the Logiwa client portal. For dated goods such as beauty products, the lot and expiry date are recorded, so restocked units still ship oldest date first.
4. **Rework.** Refolding, a new poly bag, a new label or a retag is special project labor from $38 an hour. Clothing returns are mostly this step; see [apparel fulfillment](https://www.alvylogistics.com/fulfillment/apparel).
5. **Quarantine or set aside.** Items you want to see, or that fall outside your rules, are held apart from sellable stock until you decide.
6. **Return to vendor.** Defective units go back to the supplier, by parcel carrier pickup at the Valencia dock or as a pallet, quoted per shipment.
7. **Dispose.** Unsellable items are disposed of per your written instructions.
8. **Report.** What came back, how it graded and where it went is reported as returns are processed, not saved for month end.

That is what 3PL returns management should mean: every unit accounted for, and no box of returns sitting unopened in a corner.

## Can you pick up returns around Southern California?

Yes, from business locations. Store returns, showroom stock, refused freight and end-of-season overstock can be collected by our courier and brought to Valencia by car, cargo van or 20 to 26 ft box truck, with drivers based across Southern California. A car starts at $45 and a cargo van at $80 for the first 20 miles. After the first 20 miles, mileage can start as low as $1.20 a mile, depending on the vehicle and the route, and it is set on your written quote. Stores on a regular [retail logistics](https://www.alvylogistics.com/industries/retail-logistics) route can send returns back on the same truck that delivers to them. For several pallets at once, a [box truck delivery](https://www.alvylogistics.com/courier/box-truck-delivery) starts at $200 for the first 20 miles.

Customer returns usually come back by parcel carrier.

## What does reverse logistics cost?

Per-unit return handling is quoted, because it depends on things only your returns can show: how many arrive each month, whether they come back as single parcels or pallets, how deep the inspection goes and how many need rework. The published parts come from the Alvy Logistics 2026 warehouse rate card:

- Handling from $12 a pallet in or out, for returns that arrive or leave by the pallet
- Storage from $25 per pallet per month for returned and set-aside stock
- Rework from $38 an hour
- Exchanges ship as new orders, with order processing from $5 per order plus postage

Example: a retailer sends back 6 pallets of seasonal overstock. Receiving them starts at $72 (6 pallets at $12), and holding them for a month starts at $150 (6 pallets at $25), before any per-unit grading. For the full storage picture, read the [3PL and pallet storage pricing guide](https://www.alvylogistics.com/guides/3pl-pallet-storage-pricing). Business clients are invoiced.

## How to compare reverse logistics companies

Reverse logistics companies range from returns networks with many buildings to the warehouse that already holds your stock. For most growing brands the second is simpler: returns come back to the building that ships your orders, so sellable units return to the shelf without a transfer.

Ask any provider four things: who writes the grading rules, how soon returns are restocked, what reporting you get, and how per-unit handling is priced. Our returns management services fit brands that ship a few hundred to several thousand orders a month, or wholesale volume by the pallet. Below that, handling returns in-house is usually cheaper, and we will say so.

## What we do not take back

Returns follow the same rules as everything else in the building. No food or supplements: this is not an FDA-registered facility. No drugs or regulated medical product. No hazardous materials, beyond limited-quantity consumer goods such as fragrance, nail polish and aerosols accepted after safety data sheet review. And there is no climate-controlled storage, so nothing that needs cool conditions.

## What to send for a returns processing quote

- Your monthly return volume and return rate, by channel (online, stores, retailers)
- How returns arrive: single parcels, cartons or pallets
- Your grading rules, or the decisions you want to make yourself
- What happens to unsellable items: set aside, return to vendor or disposal
- Your store platform (Shopify, for example), which connects through the Logiwa client portal
- Any stores where returns need picking up

Send it through the quote form or call (661) 344-8766, and a coordinator calls back during business hours with a written quote that lists every charge before you sign.

## What our returns processing does not cover

- Food or supplements: this is not an FDA-registered facility
- Drugs or regulated medical product, including recalls of them
- Hazardous materials, beyond limited-quantity consumer goods accepted after safety data sheet review
- Products that need cool storage: there is no climate-controlled storage

## Reverse logistics questions

### What is an example of reverse logistics?

A customer sends back a jacket in the wrong size. The parcel comes to the warehouse, the jacket is checked, graded sellable, put back on the shelf and shown as available stock again. A retailer sending back unsold seasonal stock, or a refused shipment coming back to the warehouse, is reverse logistics too.

### How do 3PLs handle returns?

A 3PL receives the returned parcel or pallet, matches it to the original order, inspects each item against the brand's rules, then restocks it, sets it aside, sends it back to a supplier or disposes of it. At Alvy Logistics each step is reported, and restocked units show in the Logiwa client portal.

### What is the difference between reverse logistics and returns management?

Returns management is the customer side: the return policy, the return authorization and the refund, which usually stay with your store. Reverse logistics is the physical side: getting the item back, receiving it, inspecting it and deciding where it goes. A warehouse like ours runs the physical side.

### How much does returns processing cost?

It depends on return volume and how deep the inspection goes. With us, pallets of returns are received from $12 per pallet, storage starts at $25 per pallet per month, rework is $38 an hour, and per-unit return handling is quoted after we see your return rate and grading rules.

### Can you pick up returns from stores around Los Angeles?

Yes. Our courier collects store returns, showroom stock, refused freight and overstock from business locations across Southern California and brings them to Valencia, from $45 by car or $80 by cargo van for the first 20 miles. Customer returns usually come back by parcel carrier.

### What returns can you not accept?

No food or supplements, because this is not an FDA-registered facility, and no drugs or regulated medical product. Hazardous materials are limited to limited-quantity consumer goods such as fragrance and aerosols, accepted after safety data sheet review. There is no climate-controlled storage for products that need cool conditions.

---

# Courier services in San Diego, from North County to Chula Vista

URL: https://www.alvylogistics.com/courier/san-diego
Type: Service area
Updated: 2026-10-08

Courier services in San Diego County from Alvy Logistics are run by independent-contractor drivers based in the county, for same-day and scheduled business runs from Oceanside and North County to downtown, Chula Vista and El Cajon. A car run starts at $45 for the first 20 trip miles, with mileage past that set on your quote, and on-board couriers can fly urgent shipments out of San Diego International Airport.

- Serving: San Diego, North County, Chula Vista and El Cajon
- Drivers: Independent contractors based in San Diego County
- Starting at: $45 a car run, up to 20 trip miles

- The I-5, the 805 and the I-15: Three freeways run the length of the county. The I-5 follows the coast from Oceanside through Carlsbad and past La Jolla to downtown. The 805 runs inland from Sorrento Valley through Mission Valley and Chula Vista. The I-15 comes south from Escondido, and at Miramar the 163 branches off it to run through Kearny Mesa into downtown. Across North County, the 78 links Oceanside, Vista, San Marcos and Escondido.
- Where the 805 meets the I-5: The 805 ends at the I-5 in Sorrento Valley, beside the research and life-science buildings of Torrey Pines, Sorrento Valley and University City. SANDAG corridor planning records heavy peak-period congestion on the 805 from the 54 north to Sorrento Valley, so a pickup there is easier to time outside the weekday commute when the window allows.
- Camp Pendleton on the run from Los Angeles: Between Oceanside and San Clemente the I-5 runs for about 18 miles through Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, with no coastal alternative. When that stretch closes, Caltrans sends Orange County and Los Angeles traffic inland on the I-15 and the 91, which adds a long way to any run from the north.
- Otay Mesa and the border: Otay Mesa, about 22 miles from downtown by the I-5 and the 905, is California's busiest commercial truck crossing with Mexico, according to the General Services Administration, and a large industrial district sits beside it. Courier runs serve businesses in that district on the U.S. side; crossing the border is not part of the service.
- San Diego International Airport: The airport sits on the bay about 3 miles by road from City Hall. On-board courier trips can leave from it, as they can from LAX and SFO, when a shipment has to travel by air in a person's hands.

## Courier work we run across San Diego County

- Runs inside the county: Same-day pickups and deliveries between two San Diego County addresses, priced on the miles between them.
- North County routes: Scheduled stops in Oceanside, Carlsbad, Vista, San Marcos and Escondido on set days and windows.
- Los Angeles to San Diego: Runs down the I-5 from anywhere in Los Angeles County, including stock from the Valencia warehouse, priced on the whole trip.
- Lab and specimen runs: Specimens and supplies packed by the sender, and device cases, between labs, clinics and hospitals, STAT or on a route.
- Cargo van and box truck loads: Cartons and equipment cases by cargo van; pallets by 20 to 26 ft box truck, available with drivers based in the county, with a liftgate added where needed.
- On-board courier from SAN: A courier flies with an urgent shipment from San Diego International Airport and hands it over at the destination.

## What a San Diego courier run costs, starting at

San Diego runs are billed on the 2026 Alvy Logistics courier card. Each vehicle's base rate is its minimum charge and pays for the first 20 miles of the trip.

| Vehicle | Starting at | Sorrento Valley to downtown San Diego (about 15 miles) |
|---|---|---|
| Car: envelopes, small boxes, sealed specimens | $45 for the first 20 trip miles | $45 |
| Cargo van: cartons, samples, equipment cases | $80 for the first 20 trip miles | $80 |
| 20 to 26 ft box truck: racks, display units, palletized stock | $200 for the first 20 trip miles | $200 |

There is no charge to bring a driver to you: our drivers are based in San Diego County. A run that starts and ends in the county is charged on its own trip miles, so Sorrento Valley to downtown stays at the base rate. A run from Los Angeles counts every mile from pickup to delivery. After the first 20 miles, mileage can start as low as $1.20 a mile, depending on the vehicle and the route, and it is set on your written quote. A second stop, wait time, a liftgate, night or weekend work are added only when the job needs them and listed on your written quote, so ask for one before you book. A fuel surcharge may apply. Tolls, when a route uses a toll road or express lane, are passed through at cost. Rates as of 2026-10-08.

## Which courier services can San Diego businesses book?

Alvy Logistics provides courier services in San Diego for businesses. Runs inside the county go to independent-contractor drivers based in San Diego County. The company's only warehouse is in Valencia, at the north end of Los Angeles County, and there is no San Diego office or counter, so a driver comes to your door or dock.

Business courier work in the county usually falls into four groups:

- **Runs inside the county**, same day or on a schedule: originals to a downtown office, a part to a Kearny Mesa or Otay Mesa business park, cartons to a store in Chula Vista. The [same-day courier](https://www.alvylogistics.com/courier/same-day) page explains how on-demand work is dispatched.
- **Messenger runs** between law firms, title and escrow offices and the downtown courthouses. When a San Diego County delivery needs a signed custody form or receipt, the driver signs it at handoff, as the driver.
- **Medical and lab work** for clinics, labs and device companies, covered below.
- **Long runs on the I-5** from Los Angeles or the Valencia warehouse, priced on the whole trip.

## What do courier services in San Diego cost?

San Diego County runs start at $45 by car, $80 by cargo van and $200 by box truck, the same rates Los Angeles runs use. Each vehicle has a minimum charge, its base rate, and that base pays for the first 20 miles from pickup to drop-off. Miles beyond 20 are added as mileage, set on your written quote. When pickup and delivery are both in the county, the mileage is measured between those two addresses. The San Diego County examples below show which runs stay at the base rate and which add mileage, before extras.

| Trip in or to San Diego | Miles by road | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Sorrento Valley to downtown San Diego | 15 miles | Base rate only |
| Carlsbad to downtown San Diego | 35 miles | Base rate plus mileage |
| Downtown Los Angeles to downtown San Diego | 120 miles | Base rate plus mileage |
| Valencia warehouse to downtown San Diego | 160 miles | Base rate plus mileage |

Mileage is routed between city centers, or from the Valencia address, so treat it as a guide: the quote is built on your two actual addresses. There is no charge to bring a driver to you, long runs use the same base rates as local ones, and there is no separate long-distance band. Tolls pass through at cost and a fuel surcharge may apply. Wait time, added stops, a liftgate and night or weekend work are added only when the job needs them. Your written quote lists every charge for the job before a driver is booked, and our [guide to courier costs in Los Angeles](https://www.alvylogistics.com/guides/courier-cost-los-angeles) explains how a quote is built.

## Is a same-day courier service from Los Angeles to San Diego possible?

Yes. A courier service from Los Angeles to San Diego is one long run down the I-5: about 120 miles from downtown Los Angeles to downtown San Diego, and about 160 from our Valencia warehouse. Through Camp Pendleton the freeway has no coastal alternative, so a crash or a closure there moves the delivery window, and the coordinator sets the departure with that in mind.

The jobs that justify this run are usually urgent: stock from the Valencia warehouse going to a San Diego store or business customer, a part from a Los Angeles supplier to a North County plant, or signed originals that cannot wait for an overnight parcel. From Orange County the run is shorter: Irvine to downtown San Diego is about 85 miles on the 405 and the I-5. When a shipment has to leave the region by air, an [on-board courier](https://www.alvylogistics.com/courier/on-board-courier) can hand-carry it on a flight from San Diego International Airport.

## Can a medical courier in San Diego serve labs and hospitals?

Yes. Medical courier work in San Diego follows the region's lab and hospital map: research labs and life-science companies around Torrey Pines, Sorrento Valley and University City, and hospital campuses in Hillcrest, Kearny Mesa and La Jolla. The lab or clinic packs and marks each specimen, in UN3373 packaging where the rules call for it, and the driver carries the package sealed. The vehicles are ambient, so a specimen that must stay cool needs the shipper's insulated pack, and controlled substances are not carried. The [medical courier service](https://www.alvylogistics.com/courier/medical) page sets out STAT runs, routed pickups and the shipper's packing rules in detail.

## Do you cover North County, Chula Vista and El Cajon?

Yes. In North County the I-5 runs down the coast through Oceanside and Carlsbad, and the 78 crosses inland through Vista and San Marcos to Escondido. Plenty of runs there are short: Oceanside to Carlsbad is about 4 miles, Vista to San Marcos about 8 and San Marcos to Escondido about 6. From the Carlsbad business parks near McClellan-Palomar Airport to Sorrento Valley is about 19 miles, still inside the base rate.

South of downtown, Chula Vista is about 9 miles away on the I-5 or the 805, and the Otay Mesa industrial district about 22. East County runs head out the I-8 or the 94 to El Cajon, about 15 to 16 miles from downtown.

## What do you need for a San Diego courier quote?

Send the pickup and delivery addresses, the piece count and weights, the time window and how each building receives: a dock, a suite, a front desk or a hospital receiving room. For a recurring route, add the stops and the days. With an account, you book and follow the run yourself in our online shipper portal, which shows the driver's location anywhere from North County to Chula Vista, posts an update when they arrive at the hospital receiving room or dock, and attaches a photo to the pickup and to the delivery; business clients are invoiced. For a written quote, send a [quote request](https://www.alvylogistics.com/request-quote) or phone (661) 344-8766; calls are answered weekdays from 8am to 8pm Pacific.

## Outside the scope of our San Diego courier service

- A walk-up counter or drop-off desk anywhere in the county: drivers collect at your door or dock
- Household goods or residential moves
- Controlled substances
- Loads that the vehicle must keep cold: courier vehicles are ambient
- Cross-border runs into Mexico

## Questions about courier services in San Diego

### What does a San Diego courier run cost on the 2026 card?

Up to 20 trip miles, the base rate is the whole charge: $45 for a car, $80 for a cargo van or $200 for a 20 to 26 ft box truck. Sorrento Valley to downtown San Diego, about 15 miles, stays at the base. A longer run, such as Carlsbad to downtown at about 35 miles, adds mileage past 20 miles to the base, set on your written quote.

### Are your San Diego courier drivers local?

Yes. The local runs go to independent-contractor drivers based in San Diego County, and the coordinator chooses the vehicle, car to box truck, for each load; box trucks are available with the drivers here. Alvy Logistics has no office or counter in the county; its one warehouse is in Valencia, north of Los Angeles, so drivers collect at your door or dock.

### How long does a courier take from Los Angeles to San Diego?

Downtown Los Angeles to downtown San Diego is about 120 miles on the I-5. Routing estimates put the drive at two to two and a half hours when the freeway is clear. Weekday peaks, any closure through Camp Pendleton and the approach to the 805 merge add time, so the coordinator fixes the delivery window at booking.

### Is medical courier service available in San Diego?

Yes, for labs, clinics, hospitals and device companies, as STAT runs or scheduled routes. Specimens travel exactly as the sender packed and sealed them, and the driver never opens or repacks a package. Vehicles have no powered cooling, so a cold specimen rides in the shipper's insulated packaging, and controlled substances are not carried.

### What is the cheapest way to book courier runs in San Diego?

Send the smallest vehicle the load allows and keep the trip short. A car's base rate is $35 less than a cargo van's, and many runs between neighboring places, such as Oceanside to Carlsbad or Sorrento Valley to downtown, fit inside the first 20 miles. Runs that repeat usually cost less per stop as a scheduled route.

### Can a courier fly a shipment out of San Diego?

Yes. An on-board courier can depart from San Diego International Airport and carry the shipment by hand. It starts at a $143 dispatch fee plus $43 an hour with a 4-hour minimum, so from $315 before airfare, lodging and other travel costs, which are billed at cost. Ask for a written quote for the trip.

---

# Medical supply logistics in Los Angeles

URL: https://www.alvylogistics.com/industries/healthcare-logistics
Type: Industry
Updated: 2026-10-08

Medical supply logistics is the work of getting specimens, supplies, devices and equipment to the labs, clinics and hospitals that need them, inside the window they set and with a record of every handoff. Alvy Logistics provides it across Los Angeles and Southern California through STAT and routed medical courier service, box truck delivery for equipment, and on-board couriers by air. Car runs start at $45.

- Who books it: Labs, clinic groups, device companies and trial teams
- Services: Medical courier, routed delivery, equipment delivery, supply storage, on-board courier
- Starting at: $45 by car for the first 20 miles

## What medical supply logistics covers with Alvy

- STAT medical courier: One driver, one pickup, one delivery: a specimen to the lab, a replacement part to a clinic, a loaner set to a surgery center before a case.
- Scheduled specimen and supply routes: Daily or weekly stops at clinics, draw sites and labs on a fixed window, quoted per stop or per route, run by drivers with bloodborne pathogens training records.
- Medical equipment shipping: Exam tables, carts, cabinets and palletized supplies by cargo van or box truck, with a liftgate and a second person when the load needs them.
- Medical device delivery: Device cases and loaner instrument sets moved between distributors, hospitals and surgery centers, with the return run booked at the same time.
- On-board courier by air: A courier flies with a time-critical device or trial shipment from LAX, SAN or SFO and hands it over in person at the other end.
- Handoff records: Names, signatures and times at each handoff. Drivers sign your custody forms and delivery receipts when your process requires it.

## Medical supply logistics pricing, starting at

Starting-at figures from the Alvy Logistics 2026 courier, on-board courier and warehouse rate cards. A standing specimen route gets its own per-stop or per-route price after we review the stop list and pickup windows.

| Service | Starting at | What changes the price |
|---|---|---|
| STAT or same-day run by car (specimens, small boxes) | From $45 for the first 20 miles | Mileage after 20 miles is quoted; extra stops and wait time are quoted too |
| Medical equipment by cargo van or box truck | From $80 by van or $200 by box truck, first 20 miles | Mileage after 20 miles is quoted; a liftgate and a second person are quoted when the load needs them |
| Scheduled specimen or supply route | Quoted per stop or per route | Number of stops, pickup windows and days a week |
| On-board courier from LAX, SAN or SFO | From $143 dispatch + $43 an hour, 4-hour minimum (from $315) | Airfare, lodging and ground transport at cost; other trip extras are quoted |
| Storage of packaged medical supplies | From $25 per pallet per month | Pallet count, handling in and out, and how often stock is released |

After the first 20 miles, mileage can start as low as $1.20 a mile, depending on the vehicle and the route, and it is set on your written quote. Night, weekend and other extras are added only when a run needs them. Business clients are invoiced. Ask for a written quote: it lists every charge before a driver is dispatched. Rates as of 2026-10-08.

## What is medical logistics?

Medical supply logistics covers everything that moves around patient care without being patient care: specimens going to the lab, supplies going to clinics, devices going to operating rooms, and equipment going in and out of buildings. Some call it medical logistics or healthcare logistics. The job does not change with the name. The right item has to reach the right receiving point inside a set window, and someone has to be able to show who held it along the way.

Alvy Logistics offers this to labs, clinic groups, medical device companies, distributors and clinical trial teams across Los Angeles and Orange counties and the Inland Empire. Runs are coordinated from Valencia, at the north end of the county on the I-5.

## Which services does a healthcare program use?

Most programs combine a few of these:

- **[Medical courier service](https://www.alvylogistics.com/courier/medical)** for specimen pickups, STAT runs and standing routes between clinics, labs and hospitals.
- **[Same-day courier](https://www.alvylogistics.com/courier/same-day)** when a supply order, a part or a signed document has to move today and does not fit an existing route.
- **[Box truck delivery](https://www.alvylogistics.com/courier/box-truck-delivery)** for medical equipment shipping: exam tables, carts, cabinets and palletized supplies, with liftgate service and a second crew member for heavy pieces.
- **[On-board courier](https://www.alvylogistics.com/courier/on-board-courier)** when a device or a trial shipment has to reach another city, carried by a courier who flies with it from LAX, SAN or SFO.
- **[Pallet storage](https://www.alvylogistics.com/warehousing/pallet-storage)** in Valencia for packaged medical supplies, released onto your routes as clinics need them.

## How does a routed specimen and supply program run?

A typical week looks like this:

1. **Morning specimen route.** A driver runs a fixed loop of clinics and draw sites inside an agreed window, collects sealed specimen bags and drops them at the lab, with a signature and time at each stop.
2. **Supply drops.** Cartons from your distributor or central stockroom ride the same route, so a clinic restocks without a separate delivery.
3. **A STAT call.** A lab needs a redrawn sample collected, or a surgery center needs a loaner set before a morning case. A car goes straight from pickup to delivery.
4. **An equipment move.** A box truck brings an exam table and cabinets to a new clinic with a second person, and takes the cartons away afterward.
5. **Pickups back.** Loaner kits and empty totes return on the next route, so nothing waits in a hallway for a special trip.

Specimen-route drivers have bloodborne pathogens training records. Runs are booked and followed in Alvy's online shipper portal, or by phone with a coordinator Monday to Friday, 8am to 8pm Pacific.

## Medical equipment shipping and device logistics

Medical device logistics is mostly about timing and accountability. Loaner instrument sets have to reach a hospital before a scheduled case and come back afterward. A replacement part for imaging or lab equipment is needed the day the machine goes down. Each of these goes by car, cargo van or box truck depending on size, signed for at both ends.

Inside Southern California, medical equipment shipping by box truck goes straight from pickup to delivery with no terminals in between. Heavy or awkward pieces are handled fewer times, and the crew can carry them inside instead of leaving them at the dock.

Device companies in Irvine and the rest of [Orange County](https://www.alvylogistics.com/courier/orange-county) are served by drivers based there.

## Medical supply storage at the Valencia warehouse

The Valencia warehouse stores packaged medical supplies, such as boxed disposables and empty specimen kits, for clinic groups, labs and distributors that want stock close to their Southern California routes. Storage is ambient and dry, on racks, from $25 per pallet per month. Each lot is tracked with its expiry date and shipped oldest date first, so short-dated stock leaves before newer stock. Supplies go out on a scheduled route, a same-day run or a box truck delivery when a site needs them, with handling from $12 a pallet in or out.

The limits are firm. We do not store drugs, investigational product or controlled substances. The building is not an FDA-registered facility, and there is no cold storage, so anything that must stay inside a set temperature range belongs with a specialist.

## What are clinical trial logistics?

Clinical trial logistics moves kits, samples and supplies between sponsors, depots, investigator sites and labs on the schedule the protocol sets. Laboratory logistics is the daily version of the same problem: getting specimens from collection sites to the bench inside the window the lab sets. Our part is the local, ambient leg, meaning courier runs between sites, labs and depots in Southern California, plus an on-board courier when a shipment has to fly.

Investigational product, anything that must be held inside a set temperature range, and Category A shipments belong with a specialist set up for them.

## Who packs a specimen, and who carries it?

Patient specimens that may carry an infectious agent, but do not meet the Category A definition, ship as Category B infectious substances under UN3373. Federal hazardous materials rules ([49 CFR 173.199](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-49/section-173.199)) require triple packaging (a primary receptacle, secondary packaging and a rigid outer packaging), the UN3373 diamond with the words "Biological substances, Category B" beside it, and the name and phone number of a person who knows the contents, on the package or the shipping paper.

The sending lab or clinic does that packing and marking. The driver collects the closed package as packed, does not open or repack it, and records the handoff. The [medical courier requirements guide](https://www.alvylogistics.com/guides/medical-courier-requirements) walks through each step.

Two HIPAA points come up in almost every vendor review. A courier that only moves sealed records or specimens is usually treated by HHS as a conduit, so a business associate agreement is often not required (the [medical courier](https://www.alvylogistics.com/courier/medical) page covers when it is). And HHS does not recognize private "HIPAA certifications", so a badge claiming one tells you nothing.

## How chain of custody works on a run

Chain of custody is the written record of who held an item, when and where, from pickup to delivery. In medical work it can decide whether a lab accepts a specimen and whether a study can use a sample. The method is plain: a named pickup, a signature and time at each handoff, and a direct drive on STAT runs. Drivers sign custody forms and delivery receipts at handoff when your process requires it, so send your form with the booking. They sign as the driver or carrier, never as the shipper on a manifest.

## Ambient only, and other limits to know first

Courier runs and the Valencia warehouse are ambient: there is no temperature-controlled storage and no powered cooling in transit. We do not store drugs or investigational product, and we do not carry Category A infectious substances, other hazardous materials or controlled substances. And we make no certification claims, because no federal agency certifies medical couriers.

## What should a healthcare quote request include?

Send the pickup and delivery addresses, what is moving (sealed specimens, supply cartons, a device kit, or equipment with weights and dimensions), the time window, and how often it repeats. For a route, add the list of stops and each pickup window. For a trip by air, add the destination city and the latest arrival time. A coordinator replies during business hours with a written quote per run, per stop or per route, and business clients are invoiced.

## What our healthcare logistics work does not cover

- Refrigerated or frozen loads that need powered cooling in transit or in storage (no temperature-controlled storage)
- Storing drugs or investigational product (packaged supplies such as disposables and empty specimen kits can be stored)
- Packing specimens: the sending lab or clinic packs and marks each UN3373 package
- Category A infectious substances, hazmat or dangerous goods
- Controlled substances or pharmaceutical wholesale distribution

## Medical supply logistics questions

### What is medical supply logistics?

Medical supply logistics is the transport and delivery of the things healthcare runs on: specimens, supplies, devices and equipment. It covers routine routes between clinics and labs, urgent STAT runs, equipment deliveries and device loaners, plus a record of who handled each item and when.

### What does a medical logistics company do?

It moves medical items so clinicians and lab staff do not have to. At Alvy Logistics that means scheduled specimen and supply routes, STAT courier runs, cargo van and box truck delivery of medical equipment, device and loaner runs, storage of packaged supplies such as disposables and empty specimen kits, and on-board couriers when a shipment has to travel by air with a person.

### What is laboratory logistics?

Laboratory logistics is the movement of specimens, supplies and paperwork around a lab's network: scheduled pickups from clinics and draw sites, STAT runs, and deliveries of supplies such as empty specimen kits. Alvy Logistics runs routed and STAT courier work for labs and can store packaged medical supplies, including empty specimen kits, in its Valencia warehouse.

### What is clinical trial supply logistics?

It is the movement of kits, samples and supplies between sponsors, depots, investigator sites and labs on the schedule the protocol sets. Our part is the ambient, local leg: courier runs between sites and labs in Southern California, and on-board couriers for urgent trips. Investigational product and temperature-controlled work go to a specialist.

### What is medical device logistics?

Medical device logistics is getting devices, instrument sets and replacement parts to hospitals, surgery centers and clinics before they are needed, then bringing loaners back. We run those deliveries by car, cargo van or box truck depending on size, with a signature at each end and return pickups on a set day.

### Do you offer temperature-controlled medical delivery?

No. Courier runs carry ambient loads with no powered cooling, and there is no temperature-controlled storage. A specimen the shipper has packed in an insulated box with cold packs or dry ice travels as packed. A shipment that must be held inside a monitored temperature range needs a provider that runs that equipment, and we will say so before quoting.

### How much does medical supply logistics cost?

On the 2026 rate card, a specimen or supply run by car starts at $45 for the first 20 miles, plus mileage after 20 miles, set on your quote. Equipment goes by cargo van from $80 or box truck from $200. A standing route gets a per-stop or per-route price, which tends to cost less than booking every pickup on demand. Ask for a written quote for your stops.

---

# Ecommerce logistics, explained for DTC brands

URL: https://www.alvylogistics.com/industries/ecommerce-logistics
Type: Industry
Updated: 2026-10-08

Ecommerce logistics is the chain of steps that gets an online order from your factory to your customer: inbound freight, storage, pick and pack, shipping and last mile delivery, and returns. Alvy Logistics runs every step from receiving onward for DTC brands, from one warehouse in Valencia, California, with order processing from $5 an order and storage from $25 a pallet a month.

- Best fit: A few hundred to several thousand orders a month
- Ground transit: 1 to 2 days to most of the West
- Starting at: From $5 per order plus $25 per pallet per month

## The stages of ecommerce logistics we run

- Receiving inbound freight: Containers, pallets and cartons from your factory or supplier, unloaded and counted against the packing list.
- Storage and inventory: Stock racked by SKU in Valencia, with lot and expiry tracking, and levels and order status visible in the Logiwa client portal.
- Store integrations and pick and pack: Your store connects through the Logiwa client portal (for example Shopify), and each order is picked and packed to your spec.
- Parcel shipping: Parcel carriers collect at the Valencia dock, reaching most of the West in 1 to 2 days by ground. International parcels ship too.
- Local last mile: Bulky or high-value orders in Southern California delivered by van or box truck, with white glove when it matters.
- Returns: Returned orders checked against your rules, put back to stock or set aside, and reported so you can refund or replace.

## Ecommerce logistics pricing, starting at

Starting-at rates from the Alvy Logistics 2026 warehouse rate card, with the cargo van line from the courier card. Pick and pack labor depends on your order profile, so it is quoted after we see a sample of orders.

| Stage | Starting at | What changes the price |
|---|---|---|
| Container unloading | Quoted per container | Floor-loaded or palletized, carton count, sorting by SKU |
| Receiving by the pallet | From $12 per pallet | Mixed SKUs, unit counts, labeling |
| Storage | From $25 per pallet per month | Pallet count and seasonal peaks; dedicated floor space from $2.50 per sq ft per month |
| Order processing | From $5 per order | Units per order, packaging and inserts; pick and pack labor quoted per job |
| Local last mile by cargo van | From $80 for the first 20 miles | Mileage after 20 miles is quoted; extra stops and other extras are quoted too |

Parcel postage is separate and depends on the carrier service, package weight and zone. After the first 20 miles, mileage can start as low as $1.20 a mile, depending on the vehicle and the route, and it is set on your written quote. Special project labor, such as relabeling or rework, starts at $38 an hour. Business clients are invoiced. Ask for a written quote: it lists every rate that applies to your orders before anything ships. Rates as of 2026-10-08.

## What is ecommerce logistics?

Ecommerce logistics is everything physical that happens around an online order. Product leaves a factory, crosses an ocean or a state line, gets counted into a warehouse, waits on a shelf, gets picked and packed when someone clicks buy, rides with a carrier to a front door, and sometimes comes back. E-commerce logistics, DTC logistics and ecommerce shipping logistics are names for the same chain, seen from slightly different ends.

Most brands do all of it themselves at first, from a garage or a small unit. The chain only becomes visible when one link starts to break: a container nobody can unload, a holiday backlog, a shelf of returns. This page walks through each stage, what it costs on our rate card, and where Alvy Logistics fits.

## Stage 1: inbound freight and receiving

Most DTC inventory starts as a container or a pallet shipment. For brands importing through the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, the drayage carrier booked by you or your forwarder brings the container about 60 miles north to our dock in Valencia. We unload it, count cartons against your packing list, and report shortages and damage before the stock is released for sale. Container unloading is quoted per container, since a floor-loaded box takes more labor than a palletized one, and palletized freight is received from $12 a pallet.

## Stage 2: storage and inventory

Once stock is received it is stored by SKU, on racked pallet positions or floor-stacked for bulky goods, and visible in the Logiwa client portal. Lot and expiry dates are tracked, and dated stock ships oldest date first. [Pallet storage](https://www.alvylogistics.com/warehousing/pallet-storage) starts at $25 per pallet per month, and because terms are not annual-only, a brand that triples its stock for the holidays pays for the extra space only while it is there.

## Stage 3: pick and pack

This is the part most people mean by fulfillment. Your store and sales channels connect through the Logiwa client portal (for example Shopify), so orders reach the warehouse without retyping. Each one is picked, packed to your spec with your inserts, and labeled, and you can follow it in the same portal. See [pick and pack fulfillment](https://www.alvylogistics.com/fulfillment/pick-and-pack) for how a packing spec is written. Order processing starts at $5 an order; pick and pack labor is quoted once we see a sample of your real orders.

Recurring boxes follow the [subscription box fulfillment](https://www.alvylogistics.com/fulfillment/subscription-box) workflow instead.

## How do you calculate shipping costs for ecommerce?

Parcel carriers price each package on three things: billable weight, zone and service level.

- **Billable weight** is the greater of the actual weight and the dimensional weight, which is the box's length times width times height divided by a divisor the carrier publishes. A light product in an oversized box pays for the box, so right-sizing cartons cuts cost without changing carriers.
- **Zone** is counted from the origin ZIP code to the destination. From Valencia, customers in California and the neighboring states sit in the nearest zones, and ground service reaches most of the West in 1 to 2 days.
- **Service level** is the speed you buy. Ground is usually the cheapest, and faster tiers cost more for the same box.

Postage is billed per parcel on top of the warehouse charges, so box size and service choices show up on every single order. Parcel carriers pick up at the Valencia dock, and international parcels ship from the same building.

## Stage 4: the last mile for orders that do not fit a parcel network

Some orders should not ride in a parcel network at all: furniture, fixtures, large or fragile pieces, or a high-value order to a customer across town. For those, Alvy runs [final mile delivery](https://www.alvylogistics.com/courier/final-mile-delivery) by cargo van or box truck across Los Angeles and Southern California, from $80 by van for the first 20 miles. Local deliveries are booked and followed in Alvy's online shipper portal.

## Stage 5: returns

Returns are easy to leave until last, and returns processing is part of the service. Returned orders come back to the warehouse, get checked against your rules, and either go back to stock or are set aside as damaged. Each one is reported as it is processed, and you decide on the refund or replacement. Write the returns rule down before launch: which items can be resold, which are set aside, and who signs off on exceptions.

See [reverse logistics services](https://www.alvylogistics.com/fulfillment/reverse-logistics) for grading, restocking and return to vendor.

## When DTC logistics meets wholesale

Many DTC brands add retail accounts as they grow. Wholesale orders leave by the carton or pallet instead of one parcel per customer, built to each retailer's routing guide, with GS1-128 carton labels, advance ship notices and EDI. Holding both channels in one inventory avoids splitting stock between two warehouses. The [B2B and wholesale fulfillment](https://www.alvylogistics.com/fulfillment/b2b-wholesale) page covers carton and pallet orders in detail.

## When to hand ecommerce logistics to a 3PL

A 3PL for ecommerce makes sense when the chain is costing you time or money you would rather spend on selling. In practice that tends to start at a few hundred orders a month. Below that, packing in-house is usually cheaper, and we will say so rather than take the account. If you are weighing a 3PL against leasing your own space, read [3PL vs renting warehouse space](https://www.alvylogistics.com/guides/3pl-vs-renting-warehouse-space).

For a written quote, send a month of order history with units per order, your SKU count, how inventory arrives (parcel, pallet or container), and any packaging or insert requirements. Business clients are invoiced.

Our [ecommerce fulfillment services](https://www.alvylogistics.com/fulfillment) page shows how that works day to day, and the [Los Angeles 3PL](https://www.alvylogistics.com/3pl/los-angeles) page covers the location.

## Where our ecommerce logistics stops

- Food or supplements: this is not an FDA-registered facility
- Refrigerated, frozen or temperature-sensitive products
- Hazmat or dangerous goods
- Bonded storage: this is not a bonded warehouse
- Very low volume, under a few hundred orders a month, where in-house is usually cheaper

## Ecommerce logistics questions

### What is ecommerce logistics?

Ecommerce logistics, also written e-commerce logistics, is the physical side of selling online: bringing inventory in, storing it, picking and packing each order, shipping it, delivering it and handling returns. It is the part of the ecommerce supply chain that starts when stock leaves the factory and ends when the customer has it.

### How does ecommerce shipping work?

A customer places an order, the order passes from the store to the warehouse, and the warehouse picks the items, packs them and prints a carrier label. The carrier collects the parcels, moves them through its network and delivers them, and the tracking number goes back to the customer so they can follow the order.

### How can I reduce ecommerce shipping costs?

Ship from closer to your customers, use the smallest box that protects the product so you are not billed for dimensional weight, and offer the slowest service the customer will accept. If most of your customers are in the West, shipping from Southern California keeps most parcels in the nearer, cheaper zones.

### When should an ecommerce brand move to a 3PL?

Usually when packing orders is taking time away from selling, or you are paying for space you only fill at peak. A 3PL for ecommerce tends to make sense from a few hundred orders a month. Below that, in-house is usually cheaper, and we will tell you so.

### What is the difference between ecommerce logistics and fulfillment?

Fulfillment is one stage of ecommerce logistics: picking, packing and shipping each order. Ecommerce logistics is the whole chain around it, including inbound freight, storage, last mile delivery and returns. Alvy Logistics runs each stage from receiving to returns out of one building in Valencia.

### How fast can orders reach customers from Southern California?

Ground parcels from Valencia reach most of the West in 1 to 2 days through ground carriers. Orders to the Midwest and East Coast take longer on ground service. Local orders in Southern California can also go out the same day by van or box truck when the product is bulky or high value.

---

# Retail logistics for stores, wholesale and rollouts

URL: https://www.alvylogistics.com/industries/retail-logistics
Type: Industry
Updated: 2026-10-08

Retail logistics is the work of keeping stores stocked and retail partners supplied: replenishment deliveries, wholesale orders shipped to a retailer's routing guide, fixtures delivered for openings and rollouts, and deliveries to the end customer. Alvy Logistics handles all four for retailers and brands from Valencia, California, with box truck store delivery starting at $200 for the first 20 miles.

- Who books it: Retailers, wholesale brands and fixture companies
- Vehicles: Cargo van or 20 to 26 ft box truck with liftgate
- Starting at: $200 by box truck for the first 20 miles

## What retail logistics covers with Alvy

- Store replenishment routes: Scheduled deliveries from Valencia to your stores on a fixed day and window, quoted per stop or per route.
- Wholesale to routing guides: Retailer orders picked by the carton or pallet and built to the routing guide, with GS1-128 labels, advance ship notices and EDI.
- Fixture and display delivery: Fixtures, displays and signage brought onto the sales floor and set where the floor plan shows, ready for the installer.
- Opening and rollout staging: Everything for a new store or a multi-store rollout received, held and released store by store.
- White glove to customers: Furniture and large purchases taken into the customer's room of choice, set up and unpacked, booked by your store.
- Store returns and overstock: Returns, damages and seasonal overstock picked up on the route, then processed in Valencia: restocked or set aside for your decision.

## Retail logistics pricing, starting at

Starting-at figures from the Alvy Logistics 2026 courier and warehouse rate cards. A regular store route gets its own price per stop or per route after we see the store list and the delivery days.

| Service | Starting at | What changes the price |
|---|---|---|
| Store delivery by box truck | From $200 for the first 20 miles | Mileage after 20 miles is quoted; additional stores, liftgate and pallet jack are quoted too |
| Store delivery by cargo van | From $80 for the first 20 miles | Mileage after 20 miles is quoted; additional stores are quoted too |
| White glove to a customer | From $160 by cargo van or $325 by box truck, local | Distance, access, assembly and a second person |
| Stock and fixture staging in Valencia | From $25 per pallet per month | Handling from $12 per pallet in and out; dedicated floor space from $2.50 per sq ft |

After the first 20 miles, mileage can start as low as $1.20 a mile, depending on the vehicle and the route, and it is set on your written quote. Wholesale order processing starts at $5 per order; case and pallet pick labor is quoted per job. LTL and truckload beyond Southern California are quoted per shipment by Accurate Freight Systems LLC. Business clients are invoiced. Ask for a written quote: it lists every charge before the first delivery. Rates as of 2026-10-08.

## What does logistics mean in retail?

Retail logistics is the work behind a stocked shelf. For a retailer in Southern California it usually means four jobs: keeping stores replenished, shipping wholesale orders to retail partners on their terms, getting fixtures and displays into new or remodeled stores, and delivering large purchases to customers. Alvy Logistics handles all four from one warehouse in Valencia, at the north end of Los Angeles County, so the stock and the delivery are booked with the same coordinator.

That matters for retail distribution because stores do not care which company owns which step. They care that the delivery arrives in the receiving window, matches the paperwork and comes off the truck without blocking the sales floor. From Valencia, stores across Los Angeles County are a routine run, about 40 miles to downtown, and Orange County and Inland Empire stores are quoted the same way, on the base rate plus mileage.

## How do retail distribution and store replenishment routes work?

Retail replenishment works best on a schedule. A box truck or cargo van leaves Valencia on a set day, runs your stores in order, and comes back with returns and empty totes. Because the stops share one driver and one vehicle, a route is quoted per stop or per route rather than per delivery, so you are not paying a full run minimum each time a store runs low. Store deliveries are booked and followed in Alvy's online shipper portal.

For a single urgent store delivery, such as a top seller that sells through midweek, a same-day [box truck delivery](https://www.alvylogistics.com/courier/box-truck-delivery) starts at $200 for the first 20 miles. Liftgate and pallet jack service are added when the store has no dock, and listed on your quote.

It is the store side of our [final mile delivery](https://www.alvylogistics.com/courier/final-mile-delivery) work.

## Shipping wholesale orders to a retailer's routing guide

Selling to a retailer means shipping to its distribution center under its routing guide. The guide sets the carton labels, how pallets are built, what paperwork travels with the freight, how to request a pickup or book a delivery appointment, and the chargebacks for each mistake.

We pick wholesale orders by the carton or pallet from the same inventory as your direct orders, build them to the guide with GS1-128 carton labels, send advance ship notices and EDI, and stage them for pickup. Orders leaving Southern California move as LTL or truckload, arranged through Accurate Freight Systems LLC, the licensed property broker in our group, and quoted per shipment. See [B2B and wholesale fulfillment](https://www.alvylogistics.com/fulfillment/b2b-wholesale) for how routing guide orders run, and [LTL shipping](https://www.alvylogistics.com/freight/ltl-shipping) for how retail freight is quoted.

Store, wholesale and online orders draw on one inventory in the Logiwa client portal, where your store and sales channels connect (for example Shopify). Lot and expiry dates are tracked, so dated stock ships oldest date first. Parcel carriers pick up at the Valencia dock, and international parcels ship from the same building.

## How does a store rollout run?

Store rollout logistics is a timing problem. Fixtures, displays, signage and opening stock arrive from different vendors on different dates, and each store needs its set on a specific day, not before the floor is ready and not after the opening.

A rollout runs in four steps:

1. **Receive.** Every vendor ships to Valencia. Each delivery is counted and any damage is noted on arrival.
2. **Hold and sort.** Pieces are stored and sorted by store, using [short-term warehouse storage](https://www.alvylogistics.com/warehousing/short-term-storage) on terms that end when the rollout does.
3. **Release by store.** On the date each store is ready, its set goes out on a box truck with a crew.
4. **Deliver and set.** Retail fixture delivery means pieces come off the truck, go where the floor plan shows, and the packaging leaves with the crew.

Installation, millwork and electrical work stay with your fixture installer or store team. Our job is that every piece is on the floor, in the right spot and undamaged when they arrive.

## White glove delivery to your customers

Sofas, dining sets, lighting and other large purchases sold in store often need more than a parcel carrier. [White glove delivery](https://www.alvylogistics.com/courier/white-glove-delivery) takes the piece into the customer's room of choice, sets it up with light assembly, and removes the cartons. White glove delivery starts at $160 by cargo van or $325 by box truck for a local delivery. Your store books each delivery and is invoiced for it. We do not handle household moves or residential relocations.

## Store and wholesale returns

Store returns, damages and seasonal overstock ride back to Valencia on the regular replenishment route instead of a separate pickup, and retailer returns come back by the carton or pallet. There each item is inspected and restocked or set aside for your decision, as our [reverse logistics services](https://www.alvylogistics.com/fulfillment/reverse-logistics) page explains step by step.

## What do we need to quote store delivery or a rollout?

For store routes, send the store addresses, delivery days and windows, and what a typical delivery looks like (cartons, pallets or racks). For a rollout, send the store list, opening dates and the vendor list. For wholesale, send the retailer names and their routing guides. A coordinator calls you back during business hours with a written quote for the route, rollout or orders. Business clients are invoiced.

## Where our retail logistics stops

- Fixture installation, millwork or electrical work (that stays with your installer)
- Household goods or residential moves
- Refrigerated or frozen product
- Food or supplements: this is not an FDA-registered facility
- Hazmat or dangerous goods

## Retail logistics questions

### What is retail logistics?

Retail logistics is everything that gets product onto store shelves and into customers' hands: inbound freight, storage, replenishment deliveries to stores, wholesale orders to retail partners, fixtures for new and remodeled stores, home delivery, and the returns that come back. It is a different job from ecommerce logistics, which ships single orders to consumers.

### What are some examples of distribution services?

Store replenishment routes, wholesale orders shipped to a retailer's routing guide, fixture deliveries for openings and rollouts, cross-docking of inbound freight, and returns collected from stores. Alvy Logistics runs each from its Valencia warehouse, with store delivery by box truck from $200 for the first 20 miles.

### What is retail distribution?

Retail distribution is moving stock from where it is stored to the stores and retail partners that sell it. For a single region it usually means scheduled store delivery from a nearby warehouse. For wholesale it means shipping to each retailer's distribution center on its terms, often by LTL or truckload.

### Can you deliver fixtures for a store opening or rollout?

Yes. We receive fixtures, displays and signage at our Valencia warehouse, hold them until each store is ready, and deliver them by box truck to the floor plan with the packaging taken away. Installation stays with your fixture installer or store team.

### What are the main aspects of retail logistics?

Five jobs make up most of it: getting stock in from suppliers, storing it, replenishing stores on a schedule, shipping wholesale orders to retail partners under their rules, and bringing returns and overstock back. Store openings and remodels add a sixth, which is fixtures and displays arriving on the right day.

### What is the difference between a warehouse and a distribution center?

A warehouse is built to hold stock. A distribution center is built to move it, with most product leaving within days. Many buildings do both. Our Valencia warehouse can hold pallets for months and can also cross-dock a delivery that is headed straight back out to stores.

### How much does store delivery cost in Los Angeles?

A box truck store delivery starts at $200 for the first 20 miles, with mileage past that and each additional store on the run set on your quote. A cargo van starts at $80. A weekly replenishment route is quoted per stop or per route instead, and sharing one truck across several stores brings the cost per store down. Ask for a written quote with your store list.

---

# Manufacturing logistics in Southern California

URL: https://www.alvylogistics.com/industries/manufacturing-logistics
Type: Industry
Updated: 2026-10-08

Manufacturing logistics moves what a plant needs in and what it makes out: raw materials and parts arriving, components kitted for the line, finished goods stored and shipped. Alvy Logistics handles it for Southern California manufacturers with same-day parts runs from $45, box truck freight from $200, pallet storage in Valencia from $25 a month, and LTL and truckload arranged through Accurate Freight Systems LLC.

- Carrier: ALVY BROS DELIVERS INC, USDOT 3443448, MC-1341979
- LTL and truckload beyond the region: Arranged through Accurate Freight Systems LLC, MC-572734
- Starting at: $45 for a parts run by car, first 20 miles

## What manufacturing logistics covers with Alvy

- Same-day parts runs: A car, cargo van or box truck dispatched when a line, a machine or a customer is waiting. Local pallet and expedited box truck runs often go the same day.
- Scheduled runs and dedicated drivers: Recurring runs between your plant, suppliers, platers, heat treaters and customers on a fixed window, or a dedicated driver and vehicle for a day or set hours.
- Inbound materials: Raw materials, purchased parts and packaging received in Valencia, counted, and held until the plant calls for them.
- Finished goods storage: Pallets of finished product stored by the month, then shipped to customers by box truck, LTL or truckload.
- Component kitting: Parts gathered into kits for an assembly, a service call or a customer order, so the line pulls one kit instead of ten bins.
- LTL and truckload out: Freight beyond Southern California, arranged through Accurate Freight Systems LLC, the licensed property broker in our group.

## Manufacturing logistics pricing, starting at

Starting-at courier, box truck and storage lines from the Alvy Logistics 2026 rate cards. LTL, truckload, kitting and dedicated drivers depend on the job, so they are quoted.

| Service | Starting at | What changes the price |
|---|---|---|
| Parts run by car or cargo van | From $45 by car or $80 by van, first 20 miles | Mileage after 20 miles is quoted; wait time and extra stops are quoted too |
| Box truck freight (pallets, crates, fixtures) | From $200 for the first 20 miles | Mileage after 20 miles is quoted; liftgate, pallet jack and heavy loads are quoted too |
| Inbound materials and finished goods storage | From $25 per pallet per month | Handling from $12 per pallet in and out; container unloading is quoted |
| Dedicated driver and vehicle | Quoted for a day or set hours | Vehicle size, hours and days a week |
| LTL, truckload and kitting | Quoted per shipment or project | Lane, freight class, weight, components per kit; special project labor from $38 an hour |

After the first 20 miles, mileage can start as low as $1.20 a mile, depending on the vehicle and the route, and it is set on your written quote. After-hours, weekend and other extras are added only when a run needs them, and a fuel surcharge may apply. Business clients are invoiced. Ask for a written quote: it lists every charge before a truck is booked. Rates as of 2026-10-08.

## What is logistics in manufacturing?

Manufacturing logistics is everything that has to move so production does not stop: materials and parts coming in, kits going to the line, finished goods going out, and the urgent runs in between. For a manufacturer in Southern California, the useful question is not which of the many manufacturing logistics companies has the biggest network. It is who can get a car or a box truck to a supplier in Orange County when a machine is down and the replacement part is sitting on that supplier's shelf.

Alvy Logistics runs a 58,000 sq ft warehouse in Valencia, in the Santa Clarita Valley, where aerospace and defense, medical devices and advanced manufacturing are among the main local industries. From Valencia, the I-5 runs south to the San Fernando Valley and downtown Los Angeles, and the I-210 heads east toward the Inland Empire. Contracted drivers cover runs in cars, cargo vans and 20 to 26 ft box trucks, so a sensor in an envelope and a crated fixture each get the vehicle that fits.

## Same-day parts runs when a line is waiting

The urgent case is familiar to any plant: a tooling insert, a sensor or a fixture has to reach the floor before the next shift. A [same-day courier run](https://www.alvylogistics.com/courier/same-day) by car starts at $45 for the first 20 miles, and a cargo van at $80. Local pallet and expedited box truck runs often go the same day too. Once a run repeats, such as parts going out for plating or heat treating every Tuesday and Thursday, it can become a scheduled route quoted per stop or per route, which usually costs less than booking each trip. When the work fills a day, book a dedicated driver and vehicle for the day or set hours. Runs are booked and followed in Alvy's online shipper portal.

Scheduled runs are also how a plant moves toward just-in-time supply. Materials arrive in smaller lots, timed to the production schedule, instead of filling the floor weeks ahead.

When the part is a full load or the run is long, [expedited freight services](https://www.alvylogistics.com/freight/expedited) put it on its own truck, and drivers based in the [Inland Empire](https://www.alvylogistics.com/courier/inland-empire) take runs between plants and distribution centers there.

## Inbound materials: receiving and holding what the plant needs

Floor space in a plant is expensive, and raw materials, purchased parts and packaging take up a lot of it. We receive inbound materials in Valencia, count them against the packing list or purchase order, flag shortages and damage, and hold them in pallet storage from $25 per pallet per month. When the plant calls for them, they go out on the next scheduled run or a same-day box truck. Materials imported by ocean container can be unloaded here too: once the drayage carrier your forwarder books drops the container at our dock, unloading is quoted per container.

## Finished goods storage and outbound freight

Finished goods storage is the other half. Pallets of finished product wait in Valencia until a customer order releases them, then leave by the mode that fits:

- **Box truck** for deliveries inside Southern California, straight from our dock to the customer. See [box truck delivery](https://www.alvylogistics.com/courier/box-truck-delivery), from $200 for the first 20 miles.
- **LTL** for one to about six pallets going further. See [LTL shipping](https://www.alvylogistics.com/freight/ltl-shipping).
- **Truckload** for a full production run, a heavy machine or anything that should go straight from your dock to the customer without a terminal stop. See [truckload shipping](https://www.alvylogistics.com/freight/truckload).

LTL and truckload lanes beyond Southern California are arranged through Accurate Freight Systems LLC, the licensed property broker in our group (MC-572734), with an authorized motor carrier. Alvy Logistics (ALVY BROS DELIVERS INC, USDOT 3443448) hauls box truck freight inside the region on its own carrier authority. The [carrier vs broker vs 3PL guide](https://www.alvylogistics.com/guides/carrier-vs-broker-vs-3pl) explains why that distinction matters on a bill of lading.

## Kitting components for the line

Kitting in manufacturing means the line pulls one kit with every part an assembly needs, instead of searching ten bins. We build kits to your bill of materials from stock held in Valencia, label them by job or work order, and deliver them on the schedule production sets. Service kits for field technicians and spare-parts kits for customer orders work the same way. Kitting is quoted per project once we see the parts list and volumes; see [kitting and assembly](https://www.alvylogistics.com/fulfillment/kitting-assembly) for how pricing works.

## What industrial logistics with us does not include

We do not move hazardous materials, so flammable solvents and adhesives, compressed gases and other regulated freight need a carrier set up for them. We do not rig or install machinery, and we do not run port drayage. Industrial logistics is also the name of a real estate category; we offer warehouse space by the pallet or by the square foot, not whole buildings.

## What to send for a manufacturing logistics quote

List the pickup and delivery points, the parts or pallets with weights and dimensions, how often the run repeats, and any dock hours or appointment rules at either end. For storage, send pallet counts and how fast stock turns. For kitting, send the bill of materials and expected kit volume. Expect a call back from a coordinator during business hours, Monday to Friday, and a written quote. Business clients are invoiced.

## What our manufacturing logistics work does not cover

- Hazardous materials or dangerous goods
- Machinery rigging, crane work or installation on the plant floor
- Refrigerated or frozen freight
- Port drayage of ocean containers

## Manufacturing logistics questions

### What is manufacturing logistics?

Manufacturing logistics is the movement and storage of everything a manufacturer buys and sells: raw materials and parts coming in, components staged or kitted for production, and finished goods stored and shipped to customers. It includes the urgent runs too, such as a part that has to reach a stopped line today.

### What is inbound logistics?

Inbound logistics is everything on the receiving side: arranging transport for raw materials and parts, receiving them, checking them against the purchase order, and storing them until production needs them. For a plant short on floor space, holding inbound materials at a nearby warehouse and calling them in as needed frees room for production.

### What is the difference between inbound and outbound logistics?

Inbound logistics brings raw materials, parts and packaging into the plant or warehouse; outbound logistics moves finished goods out to customers, distributors and stores. Alvy Logistics handles both for Southern California manufacturers: inbound pallets received and held in Valencia, and finished goods shipped by box truck, or by LTL and truckload through Accurate Freight Systems LLC, the licensed property broker in our group.

### How much does logistics for manufacturing cost?

At Alvy Logistics a parts run starts at $45 by car or $80 by cargo van, and box truck freight at $200 for the first 20 miles. Pallet storage starts at $25 per pallet per month, plus handling from $12 a pallet each way. LTL, truckload and kitting are quoted per shipment or per project, so ask for a written quote.

### Who hauls my LTL and truckload freight?

Freight inside Southern California moves by box truck under Alvy's own carrier authority, ALVY BROS DELIVERS INC (MC-1341979), with contracted drivers. LTL and truckload lanes beyond the region are arranged through Accurate Freight Systems LLC (MC-572734), the licensed property broker in our group, with an authorized motor carrier. Your quote says which applies.

### Can you deliver parts to the plant on a schedule?

Yes, as a recurring run: materials released from Valencia on set days, delivered to your receiving dock in an agreed window, with finished goods or parts for outside processing picked up on the same trip. Recurring runs are quoted per stop or per route, and a dedicated driver and vehicle can be booked for a day or set hours.

---

# FF&E logistics for hotel and hospitality projects

URL: https://www.alvylogistics.com/industries/hospitality-ffe-logistics
Type: Industry
Updated: 2026-10-07

FF&E logistics is the receiving, inspection, storage and timed delivery of a project's furniture, fixtures and equipment, so each piece reaches the site when its floor is ready. Alvy Logistics does it for hotel and hospitality projects in Southern California: vendors ship to our 58,000 sq ft Valencia warehouse, we inspect and store, then release in phases and deliver in room order. Installation stays with the project's installer.

- Who books it: Purchasing agents, designers, developers and installers
- Storage: Ambient warehouse in Valencia, by the pallet or the square foot
- Delivery: Box truck and crew, released by floor or phase

## What FF&E logistics covers with Alvy

- Multi-vendor receiving: Every vendor ships to one dock in Valencia. Each delivery is checked against the purchase order and logged on arrival.
- Inspection and damage reports: Cartons opened where the spec calls for it, damage photographed and reported to you and the vendor while there is time to replace.
- FF&E warehousing: Pieces stored by project, floor and room on pallets or dedicated floor space, for as long as the schedule needs.
- Phased release: Inventory released by floor, wing or phase on the dates the site can take it, not all at once.
- Delivery in room order: Box trucks loaded so pieces come off in the order the rooms are set, with a crew to carry them up.
- Placement and debris removal: Each piece carried to its room and set to the plan, with cartons and wrap hauled away before the installer's crew arrives.

## FF&E logistics pricing, starting at

Starting-at figures from the Alvy Logistics 2026 warehouse and white glove rate cards. Most hotel projects are quoted as a program once we see the vendor list, the volume and the schedule.

| Service | Starting at | What changes the price |
|---|---|---|
| Receiving | From $12 per pallet; container unloading is quoted | Floor-loaded cartons, number of vendors, how much is opened for inspection |
| Storage | From $25 per pallet per month | Dedicated floor space from $2.50 per sq ft per month for large or unpalletized pieces |
| Inspection, tagging and sorting by room | Quoted per project | Cartons opened, photos taken, labels by room or floor |
| White glove delivery to site by box truck | From $325 for a local delivery | Distance, floors, elevator access and crew time; full-floor releases are quoted |

Outbound handling starts at $12 per pallet. A second person and other extras are added only when the job needs them. Business clients are invoiced. Ask for a written quote: it itemizes every charge before the first vendor ships. Rates as of 2026-10-08.

## What is FF&E logistics?

FF&E logistics is the work between the purchase order and the furnished room. A single hotel project can buy furniture, fixtures and equipment from dozens of vendors, each shipping on its own schedule, while the building is still under construction. Someone has to receive all of it, check it, store it, and bring it to the site floor by floor in the order the rooms are finished. Some people call it hospitality logistics; here it is one service built around a construction schedule.

Alvy Logistics runs FF&E receiving and storage out of its Valencia warehouse in north Los Angeles County and delivers to projects across Los Angeles County, Orange County and the Inland Empire.

## Receiving from many vendors

Every vendor ships to one address. Vendors send freight by LTL, truckload, parcel or container, and imported pieces come up from the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, about 60 miles south, on the vendor's or the forwarder's freight. Each delivery is checked against the purchase order and logged, and the running inventory is visible in the Logiwa client portal, so you can see what has arrived and what is still missing. Receiving starts at $12 a pallet, and container unloading is quoted per container.

## Inspection before anything reaches the site

Damage found on install day is expensive, because the replacement takes weeks and the room waits. We open cartons where your spec calls for it, photograph damage, and report it to you and the vendor while there is still time to reorder. Pieces are then tagged by floor and room. Inspection, tagging and sorting are quoted per project, once we know how many cartons are opened and how pieces are labeled.

## FF&E warehousing until each floor is ready

Construction schedules move, so storage has to flex. Palletized cartons start at $25 per pallet per month, and case goods or crated pieces too big for a pallet can sit on dedicated floor space from $2.50 per square foot per month. Storage is not sold on annual terms, so a project pays only while its pieces wait. [Short-term warehouse storage](https://www.alvylogistics.com/warehousing/short-term-storage) explains how project holds are set up, and [pallet storage](https://www.alvylogistics.com/warehousing/pallet-storage) covers longer ones. When a piece only needs to change trucks on its way to the site, [cross-docking](https://www.alvylogistics.com/warehousing/cross-docking) skips storage altogether.

## Phased release and hotel furniture delivery in room order

When a floor is ready, its pieces leave Valencia on a [box truck](https://www.alvylogistics.com/courier/box-truck-delivery) loaded in reverse room order, so the first room's pieces come off first. The crew works the dock window and elevator schedule set by the general contractor, carries each piece to its room, sets it to the plan and clears the cartons. That is the same service as [white glove delivery](https://www.alvylogistics.com/courier/white-glove-delivery), applied to a whole floor at a time. White glove delivery by box truck starts at $325 for a local delivery. A full floor takes more crew time than a single delivery, so floor releases are quoted with the crew hours spelled out, and each release is booked and followed in Alvy's online shipper portal.

The next phase stays in storage until its date. This is the core of FF&E transportation: not moving everything at once, but moving the right floor on the right day.

## Where our job ends and the installer's begins

FF&E installation is done by the project's installer. That includes wall-hung pieces, headboards fixed to walls, millwork, and anything electrical. Our job ends with every piece in the right room, inspected, placed and unpacked, so the installer's crew spends its time installing instead of hunting for cartons.

## OS&E alongside FF&E

Operating supplies and equipment, such as linens, glassware, tableware and housekeeping carts, usually come from different vendors and arrive later. We receive and store OS&E with the rest of the project and release it on the same schedule, so the opening team works from one delivery plan instead of two.

## Who FF&E logistics is for

- **Purchasing agents and procurement firms** that need one receiving point and one inventory record for many vendors.
- **Interior designers** managing a hotel, restaurant or model-room install, often with pieces held until the space is ready.
- **Owners and developers** renovating a property that stays open, where rooms come out of service a floor at a time and deliveries have to match the floors being turned over and keep clear of guest areas.
- **FF&E installers** who want every piece staged, inspected and in the room before their crew arrives.

## What does a hotel project quote need?

Send the project address and opening date, the vendor list with expected ship dates, an estimate of pallet or carton counts, the floor-by-floor release plan if you have one, and the site's dock and elevator rules. We send a written quote for the project as a program and walk you through it by phone during business hours. Business clients are invoiced. For delivery-only pricing, the [white glove delivery cost guide](https://www.alvylogistics.com/guides/white-glove-delivery-cost) explains what sets the price.

## Where our FF&E logistics work stops

- FF&E installation, wall-hung pieces, millwork or electrical work (handled by the project's installer)
- Bonded storage: this is not a bonded warehouse
- Minibar or food and beverage stock: this is not an FDA-registered facility
- Household goods or residential moves

## FF&E logistics questions

### What is FF&E?

FF&E stands for furniture, fixtures and equipment: the movable pieces that furnish a hotel, restaurant or office once construction is done, such as beds, case goods, seating, lamps, artwork and soft goods like drapery. They are bought and delivered on their own schedule, separate from the building itself.

### What is FF&E in construction?

In a construction project, FF&E is the furniture, fixtures and equipment that are not built into the structure. It usually has its own budget line and its own purchasing process, outside the general contractor's scope, which is why it arrives from many vendors on dates the construction schedule does not control.

### What is OS&E?

OS&E stands for operating supplies and equipment: the smaller items a hotel needs to open and run, such as linens, towels, glassware, tableware, housekeeping carts and in-room accessories. It usually comes from different vendors than the FF&E, and we receive, store and deliver it on the same release schedule.

### Do you install FF&E?

No. FF&E installation, including wall-hung pieces, millwork and anything electrical, is done by the project's installer. We receive, inspect, store, stage and deliver the pieces, carry them to the room, place them to the plan and take the packaging away.

### Can you store FF&E until the hotel is ready?

Yes. FF&E warehousing in Valencia starts at $25 a pallet each month, or from $2.50 a square foot each month for dedicated floor space. There is no annual commitment: storage lasts as long as the construction schedule needs and ends when the last floor is delivered.

### What happens if a piece arrives damaged?

We note it on receipt, photograph it and report it to you and the vendor, while there is still time to reorder. Damage found at receiving is much cheaper to fix than damage found on install day, which is the main reason to inspect before storage.

### How does hotel furniture delivery to the site work?

Release dates are agreed by floor or phase with the general contractor or installer. Each box truck is loaded in reverse room order, arrives in the dock window, and the crew carries pieces to the rooms by elevator or stairs and removes the packaging. The next phase stays in storage until its date.

---

# Entertainment and production logistics in Los Angeles

URL: https://www.alvylogistics.com/industries/entertainment-production-logistics
Type: Industry
Updated: 2026-10-08

Entertainment logistics is the pickup, transport and storage that keeps a production moving: scripts and drives between offices, wardrobe and equipment to set, props and set pieces between stages and storage. Alvy Logistics runs it across Los Angeles with production courier runs from $45 by car, box truck moves from $200, storage between shoots in Valencia, and merch and promo kit fulfillment.

- Who books it: Production offices, studios, post houses and promo teams
- Vehicles: Car, cargo van or 20 to 26 ft box truck
- Starting at: $45 by car for the first 20 miles

## What entertainment logistics covers with Alvy

- Production courier runs: Scripts, contracts, drives and small cases between production offices, stages, locations and post houses, signed for at each end.
- Wardrobe and equipment runs: Wardrobe racks, camera and lighting cases and expendables by cargo van, to set or back to the rental house.
- Set and prop moves: Flats, set pieces, furniture and props in a 20 to 26 ft box truck, adding a liftgate and a second person for heavy pieces.
- Storage between shoots: Sets, props and dressing held in Valencia by the pallet or on dedicated floor space until the next block or season.
- Merch and promo kits: Merch, press kits and promo mailers stored, kitted, packed and shipped from the same building.
- Scheduled routes and dedicated drivers: Daily production runs set up as a route quoted per stop or per route, or a driver and vehicle held for the day.

## Production courier and entertainment logistics pricing, starting at

Starting-at lines from the Alvy Logistics 2026 courier and warehouse rate cards. A multi-day, multi-stop or event job is quoted as a package after we review the stops and the schedule.

| Service | Starting at | What changes the price |
|---|---|---|
| Car (scripts, drives, small cases) | From $45 for the first 20 miles | Mileage after 20 miles is quoted; extra stops and wait time are quoted too |
| Cargo van (wardrobe racks, equipment cases) | From $80 for the first 20 miles | Mileage after 20 miles is quoted; extra stops and a second person are quoted too |
| Box truck (sets, props, equipment) | From $200 for the first 20 miles | Mileage after 20 miles is quoted; a liftgate and a second person are quoted when the load needs them |
| Storage between shoots | From $25 per pallet per month | Dedicated floor space from $2.50 per sq ft per month for set pieces |

After the first 20 miles, mileage can start as low as $1.20 a mile, depending on the vehicle and the route, and it is set on your written quote. Night, weekend and wait time charges are added only when a run needs them. Business clients are invoiced. Ask for a written quote: it lists every charge that applies before the run. Rates as of 2026-10-08.

## What is production logistics?

Entertainment logistics in Los Angeles, often called production logistics on set, is mostly short, time-sensitive runs. A revised script has to reach a stage before the table read. A drive of the day's footage has to get to the post house. A rack of wardrobe has to make the call time, and a truckload of set pieces has to move from storage to a stage and back again at wrap. None of it is complicated on its own. The pressure comes from the schedule.

Alvy Logistics runs this work from Valencia, in the Santa Clarita Valley, which has its own sound stages and designated movie ranches. Burbank and Glendale are a straight run down the I-5, with Hollywood and the rest of the 30-mile studio zone just beyond. One coordinator can book a studio courier run by car and a set move by box truck, because one rate card prices a car, a cargo van or a 20 to 26 ft box truck.

## Production courier runs: scripts, drives, equipment and wardrobe

A production courier in Los Angeles is usually a car or a cargo van:

- **By car** for scripts, contracts, payroll paperwork, keys and media drives between production offices, stages, locations and post houses. From $45 for the first 20 miles.
- **By cargo van** for wardrobe racks, camera and lighting cases, expendables and returns to rental houses. From $80 for the first 20 miles.

Each handoff is signed for, which matters when the item is a drive holding a day of footage, and drivers sign your delivery receipts or custody forms when your process requires it. For one-off runs, book a [same-day courier](https://www.alvylogistics.com/courier/same-day). For a production that sends the same runs every day, we set them up as a scheduled route, quoted per stop or per route, or hold a dedicated driver and vehicle for the day. Runs are booked and followed in Alvy's online shipper portal.

These runs are covered by drivers based in [the San Fernando Valley](https://www.alvylogistics.com/courier/san-fernando-valley), including the Burbank studio lots, and in [Santa Monica and the Westside](https://www.alvylogistics.com/courier/westside).

## Set and prop delivery by box truck

Set and prop delivery needs a box truck, a liftgate and usually two people. Flats, furniture, set dressing and large props move between shops, storage, stages and locations in a 20 to 26 ft truck from $200 for the first 20 miles; a liftgate and a second person are added when the load needs them and listed on your quote. See [box truck delivery](https://www.alvylogistics.com/courier/box-truck-delivery) for what fits in a truck and how the crew works. Tell us about stage doors, freight elevators, location parking and load-in windows when you book, so the crew and the truck fit the access. The crew delivers to the stage door or the spot you name; building and dressing the set stays with your art department.

## Storage between shoots

Productions build things they will need again: a standing set for the next block, props for a returning series, dressing for reshoots. Instead of paying for stage space to hold them, they can sit in our Valencia warehouse. Storage starts at $25 per pallet per month, or dedicated floor space from $2.50 per sq ft a month for flats and large pieces, on terms that are not annual-only. How holds are booked and released is covered under [short-term warehouse storage](https://www.alvylogistics.com/warehousing/short-term-storage).

## Merch and promo kits

Entertainment marketing creates its own logistics: tour and show merch, cast and crew gifts, press kits and promo mailers. These are stored, assembled and shipped from the same building. See [marketing fulfillment services](https://www.alvylogistics.com/fulfillment/marketing-merch-kits) for how kit projects run, and [kitting and assembly](https://www.alvylogistics.com/fulfillment/kitting-assembly) for larger builds. When the same displays, cases and merch are headed to a convention or live event venue, move-in timing, show paperwork and storage between shows are covered under [trade show logistics](https://www.alvylogistics.com/industries/trade-show-logistics).

## Night, weekend and early call runs

Productions do not keep office hours, so we plan for that. Night work (8pm to 8am) and Saturday or Sunday runs carry an added charge, listed on your quote before the run. What we will not promise is someone answering the phone at 3am. Our phones are answered Monday to Friday, 8am to 8pm Pacific, so night, weekend and early call work is booked ahead, and the driver has the details before the run.

## Who production logistics is for

- **Production offices and transportation coordinators** who need runs covered without pulling a production assistant off set.
- **Studios and stage operators** moving equipment and dressing between stages, lots and storage.
- **Post houses** receiving drives and returning them to production.
- **Set shops and prop houses** delivering builds and rentals, then collecting them at wrap.
- **Entertainment marketing teams** shipping merch, press kits and promo mailers.

In every case the production company or business books the run and is invoiced for it.

## What to send before a production run

For a written quote, tell us where the run starts and ends, what is going (sizes, weights, how many racks or cases), the call time or window, and any stage, lot or location access rules. For storage, send a rough pallet count or floor area and how long you need it. Book during business hours, ideally a day ahead for early calls and weekend moves.

## What our entertainment logistics work does not cover

- Passenger transport for cast or crew
- Pyrotechnics, special effects materials, hazmat or dangerous goods
- Set construction, rigging or dressing the set on stage
- Refrigerated or frozen goods, including catering
- Phone dispatch outside Monday to Friday, 8am to 8pm Pacific (book night and weekend runs ahead)

## Entertainment logistics questions

### What is entertainment logistics?

Entertainment logistics is the transport and storage behind film, TV, commercial and music productions: courier runs for scripts and drives, wardrobe and equipment to set, set and prop moves between stages and storage, and merch and promo shipping. In Los Angeles much of it is short, time-sensitive runs between stages, offices, rental houses and post houses.

### What does film production logistics include?

On the logistics side it usually means moving paperwork, media drives, wardrobe, props, set pieces and equipment between production offices, stages, locations, vendors and post houses, plus storing what is needed again later. Alvy handles those runs and the storage; the production's transportation department keeps control of its own vehicles on set.

### Do you run production courier work at night and on weekends?

Yes, when it is booked ahead. Runs between 8pm and 8am or on a weekend carry an added charge, listed on your quote. Our phones are answered Monday to Friday, 8am to 8pm Pacific, so set up early calls, wrap returns and weekend moves during those hours.

### Can you store sets, props and equipment between shoots?

Yes. Palletized props and dressing start at $25 per pallet per month in our Valencia warehouse, and flats or large set pieces can take dedicated floor space from $2.50 a square foot monthly. You can store for a hiatus, a season or the gap between two blocks, with no annual term.

### Can you fulfill merch for a show, tour or release?

Yes. Merch fulfillment for entertainment works like any order fulfillment: stock is received and stored in Valencia, orders are picked and packed, and promo or press kits are assembled and shipped. Order processing starts at $5 an order, and kit assembly is quoted per project.

### Will the driver sign our custody form for media drives?

Yes, when your process requires it. Drivers sign custody forms and delivery receipts at each handoff, signing as the driver or carrier. Drives are signed for at pickup and at delivery, and the run is followed in Alvy's online shipper portal from booking to drop-off.

### How much does a production courier cost in Los Angeles?

Script and drive runs by car start at $45 for the first 20 miles, and wardrobe or equipment by cargo van from $80, with mileage added past 20 miles. A box truck for sets and props starts at $200. Extra stops, wait time on set, a second person, and night or weekend timing are added only when they apply, and your written quote lists each one.

---

# Trade Show Logistics and Shipping for Southern California Shows

URL: https://www.alvylogistics.com/industries/trade-show-logistics
Type: Industry
Updated: 2026-10-08

Trade show logistics is getting your booth, displays and show materials to the venue on your move-in time, back out after the show, and stored until the next one. Alvy Logistics does it for Southern California shows: cargo van from $80 or box truck from $200 to the advance warehouse or the venue dock, and storage in Valencia from $25 a pallet a month.

- Who books it: Exhibitors, event marketers and agencies
- Venues: Los Angeles, Anaheim, Long Beach, San Diego and Ontario convention centers
- Starting at: Van $80, box truck $200, each for the first 20 miles

## What trade show logistics covers with Alvy

- Delivery to the advance warehouse: Crates, cases and cartons delivered to the show's advance warehouse inside its receiving dates, labeled the way the show requires.
- Direct-to-show delivery: Cargo van or 20 to 26 ft box truck to the marshalling yard or venue dock on your target move-in time, with the paperwork in hand.
- Return after the show: Pickup at move-out once your freight is released, checked in before the carrier deadline and brought back to Valencia or your office.
- Booth storage between shows: Crates and displays stored in Valencia from $25 a pallet a month, or on dedicated floor space for crates too big for a pallet.
- Show kits and materials: Literature, giveaways and product kitted and packed in Valencia, then delivered with the booth or shipped to the show.
- Shows outside Southern California: Freight to shows such as Las Vegas, arranged through Accurate Freight Systems LLC, the licensed property broker in our group.

## Trade show logistics pricing, starting at

Starting-at figures from the Alvy Logistics 2026 courier and warehouse rate cards. Each show is quoted once we see the crate list, the venue and the move-in and move-out schedule.

| Service | Starting at | What changes the price |
|---|---|---|
| Cargo van to or from a venue | From $80 for the first 20 miles | Mileage after 20 miles is quoted; waiting at the yard is quoted when it applies |
| 20 to 26 ft box truck to or from a venue | From $200 for the first 20 miles | Mileage after 20 miles is quoted; a liftgate, pallet jack or second person is quoted when the stop needs one |
| Booth and crate storage in Valencia | From $25 per pallet per month | Dedicated floor space from $2.50 per sq ft per month for large crates; handling from $12 per pallet in or out |
| Shows outside Southern California | Quoted per shipment | Weight, size, lane and the show's delivery dates; arranged through Accurate Freight Systems LLC |

After the first 20 miles, mileage can start as low as $1.20 a mile, depending on the vehicle and the route, and it is set on your written quote. Waiting time, extra stops and night or weekend move-in timing are added only when the job needs them and listed on the quote. Tolls pass through at cost and a fuel surcharge may apply. Business clients are invoiced. Ask for a written quote before you book the show. Rates as of 2026-10-08.

Trade show logistics is the work around the show itself: getting booth crates, displays, product and marketing materials to the venue on time, getting them back out at move-out, and keeping them somewhere safe until the next show. Alvy Logistics handles it for exhibitors at Southern California shows from its warehouse in Valencia, in north Los Angeles County, with cargo vans and 20 to 26 ft box trucks run by our network of independent-contractor drivers.

## How do you ship to a trade show?

Start with the exhibitor services manual. It names the show's general contractor and lists the advance warehouse address and receiving dates, the direct-to-show move-in schedule, the label format and the move-out deadlines. Then:

1. **Pick one route for each shipment:** the advance warehouse or direct to the show.
2. **Label every piece** with the show's labels: exhibitor name, booth number, show name and the piece count (1 of 4, 2 of 4).
3. **Send us the crate list:** pieces, dimensions and weights, the pickup address and the delivery window.
4. **Book the return at the same time.** Outbound pickup is easier to plan before the show than on the last afternoon.

That is the whole job of trade show shipping for a local show: the right freight at the right address in the right window, then back again.

## Advance warehouse or direct to the show?

| | Advance warehouse | Direct to show |
|---|---|---|
| When freight arrives | Inside the receiving dates, often weeks before the show | On your target move-in time |
| Timing risk at move-in | Low: crates are waiting at your booth | Higher: the truck has to make its window |
| Show handling charges | Higher: receiving, storage and the transfer to the hall | Usually lower |
| Best for | Large booths, tight move-in schedules | Local shows and smaller booths |

We deliver to either. At many venues, trucks check in at a marshalling yard first and are sent to the dock in order, so build waiting time into the plan. For a show in Los Angeles, Anaheim or Long Beach, direct delivery by [box truck](https://www.alvylogistics.com/courier/box-truck-delivery) is often the simpler choice, because the truck comes from nearby instead of across the country.

## What paperwork and labels does the show require?

The general contractor sets the rules. Expect show labels on every piece, a bill of lading for each shipment and, at move-out, an outbound material handling form filed at the service desk naming the carrier that will collect your freight. Our drivers sign the bill of lading and delivery receipts as the carrier, and a certificate of insurance can be supplied to the venue on request. If no carrier is checked in by the move-out deadline, the contractor can send your freight with its own carrier at its own rates, known as forced freight. Booking the return before the show opens avoids that.

## Who moves freight on the show floor?

Not us. Material handling, often called drayage at shows, is done by the show's official contractor: unloading at the dock, moving crates to your booth, storing empties during the show and returning them at move-out. That contractor bills it separately, usually by weight. Booth installation and dismantle (I&D) is done by the show's own contractors or your exhibit house. Our part of trade show transportation ends at the dock, marshalling yard or advance warehouse, and starts again there at move-out.

## How to compare trade show shipping companies

Trade show shipping companies range from national freight carriers with exhibit divisions to local couriers. For a Southern California show, compare who moves the freight on each leg, whether the driver can meet the advance warehouse's receiving window or the marshalling yard time, whether storage between shows sits in the same company's building, and whether the quote lists every charge before move-in. Trade show transportation inside the region starts at $80 by cargo van or $200 by box truck with Alvy Logistics, with storage in Valencia from $25 a pallet a month.

## Exhibit shipping to Southern California venues

- **Los Angeles Convention Center**, downtown Los Angeles, about 40 miles from Valencia by road.
- **Anaheim Convention Center**, on Katella Avenue in Anaheim.
- **Long Beach Convention Center**, on Ocean Boulevard in downtown Long Beach.
- **San Diego Convention Center**, on Harbor Drive in downtown San Diego.
- **Ontario Convention Center**, in Ontario in the Inland Empire.

These are venues we deliver to, not partners, and each show sets its own rules. Hotel ballrooms, arenas and outdoor venues work the same way, and live event logistics follows the same pattern: displays, cases and merch to the dock on load-in day. Box trucks are available in every service area, and drivers are based in each area, so there is no charge to bring a driver to you.

Runs to Anaheim go with drivers based in [Orange County](https://www.alvylogistics.com/courier/orange-county), and runs to the Long Beach and San Diego convention centers with drivers based in [Long Beach and the South Bay](https://www.alvylogistics.com/courier/long-beach-south-bay) and [San Diego](https://www.alvylogistics.com/courier/san-diego).

## Trade show booth storage between shows

Most booths spend more time in storage than on a show floor. Crates and displays can sit in our Valencia warehouse from $25 per pallet per month, with crates too big for a pallet on dedicated floor space from $2.50 per sq ft per month. Handling starts at $12 per pallet in or out, and terms are not annual-only. Freight that arrives before a show is ready can be held here and delivered on the right day. See [pallet storage](https://www.alvylogistics.com/warehousing/pallet-storage) for how storage is set up. The building is ambient, so there is no climate-controlled storage.

## Show kits, literature and giveaways

Literature, giveaways and product can be received, counted and stored in the same building, then packed into show kits that travel with the booth or ship ahead. Leftovers come back after the show, are counted and go back into stock. [Marketing and merch kits](https://www.alvylogistics.com/fulfillment/marketing-merch-kits) covers how kit builds are priced.

## Trade show freight to shows outside Southern California

Large national trade show shipping companies serve venues across the country. Alvy is a regional carrier. Exhibit shipping to a show in Las Vegas or elsewhere in the West moves as trade show freight arranged through Accurate Freight Systems LLC, the licensed property broker in our group (MC-572734), with an authorized motor carrier, by [LTL shipping](https://www.alvylogistics.com/freight/ltl-shipping) or truckload, quoted per shipment. Your booth can leave from storage in Valencia and come back there.

## What does a trade show quote need?

Send the show name, venue and dates; the advance warehouse receiving dates or your target move-in time; the move-out time; the crate list with dimensions and weights; the pickup address; and whether the booth comes back to storage. Phones are answered Monday to Friday, 8am to 8pm Pacific, so book night and weekend move-ins ahead; those runs carry an added charge listed on your quote. Runs are booked and followed in Alvy's online shipper portal, and business clients are invoiced. Start with a [quote request](https://www.alvylogistics.com/request-quote) or call (661) 344-8766.

## Where our trade show work stops

- Booth setup, installation and dismantle (I&D): the show's own contractors or your exhibit house do that work
- On-floor material handling from the dock to your booth, which the show's official contractor does and bills
- Booth design, graphics production or exhibit rental
- Heat-sensitive graphics or product: there is no climate-controlled storage
- Phone dispatch outside Monday to Friday, 8am to 8pm Pacific (book night and weekend move-ins ahead)

## Trade show logistics questions

### How do you ship to a trade show?

Start with the exhibitor services manual. It gives the advance warehouse address and receiving dates, the direct-to-show move-in times, the label format and the move-out deadlines. Choose one route, label every piece, and book a carrier for both directions. For Southern California shows, Alvy takes booth crates to either address by cargo van or box truck and brings them back after the show.

### Should I ship to the advance warehouse or direct to the show?

The advance warehouse takes the timing risk out of move-in: freight arrives early and is waiting at your booth, but the show contractor charges for receiving, storing and moving it. Direct to show usually costs less in handling, but the truck has to arrive on your target move-in time. For a local show, direct delivery by box truck is often the simpler choice.

### What is material handling, or drayage, at a trade show?

Material handling, often called drayage at shows, is the show contractor's charge to unload your freight, move it to your booth, store empty crates during the show and bring them back at move-out. The official contractor bills it, usually by weight, separately from what you pay a carrier such as Alvy to reach the dock.

### Where can I store my trade show booth between shows?

Exhibit houses, self-storage and warehouses all store booths. Alvy stores crates and displays in Valencia from $25 a pallet a month, or on dedicated floor space from $2.50 a square foot a month for oversized crates, and delivers them to the next Southern California show. Storage is ambient: there is no climate-controlled storage.

### Do you set up or take down the booth?

No. Booth installation and dismantle (I&D) is done by the show's own contractors or your exhibit house, under the show's labor rules. Our driver delivers to the advance warehouse, the marshalling yard or the dock, and collects from the same place after move-out.

### Can you ship my booth to a show in Las Vegas?

Yes, as freight. Shows outside Southern California move by LTL or truckload arranged through Accurate Freight Systems LLC, the licensed property broker in our group, with an authorized motor carrier, quoted per shipment. The booth can leave from storage in Valencia and come back there after the show.

### How much does trade show shipping cost locally?

A 20 to 26 ft box truck starts at $200 for the first 20 miles, and a cargo van at $80. Mileage after 20 miles is set on your written quote: Valencia to the Los Angeles Convention Center is about 40 miles by road, so that run adds about 20 miles to the base rate. Extras such as waiting at the yard or a liftgate are listed on the same quote.