Free 3PL switching planner
3PL Switching Timeline Planner
Enter your contract end date and get a step-by-step plan for how to switch 3PLs, worked backward from the day your contract ends: when to give notice, when to move inventory and when to go live.
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Dates are estimates based on typical switching timelines. Confirm notice terms in your own contract; this planner is not legal advice. Calculations run in your browser and nothing is saved or sent to us.
Switching guide
How to switch 3PLs, step by step
The order matters more than the speed. Most switches that go badly skipped a step, usually giving notice before the new warehouse was ready.
01
Read your contract
Find the end date, the notice period, how notice has to be delivered, and any fees for leaving early or removing inventory.
02
Choose your new 3PL first
Compare quotes at your real volume with our 3PL quote comparison tool, and have a signed agreement and an onboarding plan before you tell your current 3PL.
03
Give notice in writing
Use the delivery method your contract specifies, send it a few days before the deadline, and ask for written confirmation.
04
Connect your systems
Link your store and marketplaces, map SKUs, set shipping rules and run test orders on every channel before inventory moves.
05
Move inventory in waves
Ship your fastest movers first so the new warehouse can start filling orders while slower stock follows.
06
Run both 3PLs for a few weeks
Keep the old warehouse shipping what it still holds until counts are reconciled and the new site is running smoothly.
Before you leave
What to request from your old 3PL
Ask for these in writing on the day you give notice. Some 3PLs take a few weeks to pull everything together, and you will want it before inventory moves.
- 01
Final inventory report
Quantities by SKU and location, with lot and expiration dates and anything damaged or on hold.
- 02
Order and shipment history
At least 12 months of orders with ship-to ZIPs, weights and carriers, so your new 3PL can plan zones and packaging.
- 03
Product and packaging data
SKU dimensions, weights, barcodes, bundles and any kitting instructions.
- 04
Open returns and claims
Returns still on their way back to the warehouse and carrier claims that are not settled yet.
- 05
Removal fees and pickup schedule
What it costs to pull and load your inventory for transfer, and the dates they can schedule it.
- 06
Final invoice and deposit timing
When the last bill arrives and how any deposit will be returned.
Keep orders shipping
How to avoid stockouts while you move
The riskiest days of a switch are when inventory is on a truck and not sellable anywhere. A few habits keep orders going out the whole time.
Split inventory into waves
Send best sellers first and keep a buffer at the old 3PL until the new site is receiving.
Overlap instead of a hard cutover
Route orders to whichever warehouse has stock during the overlap rather than flipping everything in one day.
Stay out of peak season
Avoid moving between Oct 15 and Jan 10, when carriers and warehouses run at capacity.
Count twice
Compare the old 3PL’s final report to what the new site receives, and settle gaps before the overlap ends.
FAQ
Switching 3PL questions
How long does it take to switch 3PLs?
For most brands the hands-on work takes four to eight weeks: one to three weeks for integrations, one to four weeks to move inventory, and two to four weeks of overlap. The notice period in your current contract usually sets the overall timeline, so start with your end date and work backward.
When should I give notice to my current 3PL?
After you have signed with your new 3PL and agreed on an onboarding plan. Then send notice a few days before your deadline, in the format your contract requires, and keep written confirmation that it was received.
Should I switch 3PLs during peak season?
Avoid it if you can. Between Oct 15 and Jan 10 carriers and warehouses run at capacity, so inventory transfers take longer and mistakes cost more. If your contract ends during peak, ask your current 3PL about moving the end date, or plan to go live before mid-October.
Why run two 3PLs at the same time?
An overlap of two to four weeks lets your new 3PL start shipping while the old one sells through what it still holds. It prevents stockouts while inventory is in transit and gives you time to reconcile counts at both warehouses.
How does the planner calculate these dates?
It starts from your contract end date and works backward. Your notice date is the end date minus your notice period, moved to the previous business day if it lands on a weekend. Go-live defaults to about four weeks before the end date. Transfer time scales with your pallet count, setup time scales with your channels and SKUs, and you should choose your new 3PL about two weeks before notice or setup begins.
Is this planner legal advice?
No. The dates are estimates based on typical switching timelines. Always confirm your notice period, how notice has to be delivered, and any exit fees in your own contract.
Can I save or share my plan?
Yes. Copy the shareable link to save your inputs, add key dates to your calendar, or download the plan and checklist as a PDF.
Keep planning
More tools for choosing your next 3PL
3PL Quote Comparison Tool
Put up to three 3PL quotes side by side and see the true monthly cost and cost per order at your volume.
Compare quotes →
Order History Analyzer
Upload your ship-to ZIP codes to see your zone mix and transit days from different warehouse locations.
Analyze your orders →
Shipping Transit Time Calculator
Check how many days it takes to reach your customers by service level from each warehouse.
Check transit times →
Planning a switch in the next six months?
Tell us your contract end date and we will plan the move around it.
