Multi-Leg Transits Overview

Multi-Leg Transit allows you to build shipments that move through multiple steps or legs instead of a single pickup and delivery.

Multi-Leg Shipments: Overview and Capabilities

Multi-Leg Transit functionality allows you to build complex shipments that move through multiple modes and carriers in distinct steps called transit legs.By breaking a shipment down into segments called transit legs, brokers can gain granular control over routing, pricing, and visibility for every hand-off in the supply chain.Supported Multi-Leg ServicesTai supports a variety of multi-leg configurations designed to handle complex logistics scenarios. Below are the key service types available.

1. Final Mile

This service covers the "last leg" of the journey, typically moving freight from a local terminal to the end customer. This is essential for shipments requiring specialized handling at the destination, such as residential or lift-gate delivery.
  • Common Services: White Glove, Assembly, Threshold Delivery, and Inside Delivery.

👉 Final Mile Rating Engine Workflow

2. Pool Distribution

Ideal for high-volume LTL (Less-Than-Truckload) shippers, this method consolidates shipments into a single truck for the "linehaul" leg, delivering them to a central distribution center (pool point).
  • The Process: The shipment moves to a regional pool point where it is offloaded and handed to local carriers for final delivery to multiple destinations in that region.
  • Benefit: lowers costs and transit times compared to traditional single-leg shipments.

3. Cross-Dock

Cross-docking facilitates the rapid transfer of freight with minimal storage time.
  • The Process: Freight is unloaded from an inbound vehicle at a terminal, sorted, and reloaded onto an outbound vehicle to continue its journey.
  • Benefit: Reduces warehousing costs and improves inventory turnover.

4. Border Crossing / Drayage

This configuration handles international freight moving between countries or ports, managing the hand-offs between domestic carriers, border brokers, and international carriers.
  • Cross Border: Specifically designed to assist with shipments moving from Mexico into the United States. The shipment will track both carriers moving the freight, as well as any cross-dock and customs facilities. (See: Cross-Border Shipments - Canada and Mexico)
  • Drayage: Handles the short-haul transport of goods (usually containers) from a port or rail ramp to a nearby warehouse or terminal. (See: Drayage Shipments)

👉 Cross-Border Shipments - Canada and Mexico

👉 Drayage Shipments

5. 4PL-Managed Routing

This advanced feature allows managed transportation providers to define custom routing sequences.
  • Capability: You can stitch together multiple carriers across different modes into a single master shipment view.
  • Routing Guides: You can support complex networks of routing guides and contracted freight that are specific to your managed transportation customer.

6. Multi-Stop Routing

While standard multi-leg splits a journey by carrier, multi-stop routing manages complex itineraries within a single leg or route.
  • Capability: Supports additional stops such as intermediate terminals, carrier hubs, or scheduled partial deliveries/pickups along a route.

7. Transit Leg to Stop Association

Defines how the TMS links shipment stops (pickup, terminals, delivery) to the correct transit leg within a Multi-Leg route.
This ensures proper routing, pricing, and tracking for each segment of the shipment.

👉 Transit Leg to Stop Association Article