3PL Pricing Guide: How Third-Party Logistics Costs Work for Ecommerce Brands
.webp)
Is your ecommerce business ready to scale by outsourcing fulfillment? Understanding 3PL pricing is essential for streamlining operations, controlling costs, and avoiding surprises as your order volume grows.
In this 3PL Pricing Guide, we break down how third-party logistics pricing actually works in practice. You’ll learn what goes into fulfillment costs, how providers structure their fees, and how to estimate your true cost per order, so you can make informed decisions with confidence.
This guide covers everything from receiving and storage to pick, pack, shipping, returns, and technology considerations.
What Is a 3PL and Why It Matters
A third-party logistics (3PL) provider manages key supply chain functions on behalf of ecommerce businesses. These typically include inventory storage, order fulfillment, ecommerce shipping, returns processing, and inventory management systems.
By partnering with a 3PL, ecommerce brands can:
- Reduce warehouse and labor overhead
- Improve delivery speed and reliability
- Scale fulfillment without adding internal headcount
- Gain access to modern order fulfillment software
- Improve the customer experience during growth
Of course, these benefits come with costs. Understanding how those costs are structured is the first step to choosing the right partner.
The 4 Major Categories of 3PL Pricing
Most 3PL pricing is built from the same core components. While rates vary by provider, volume, and product profile, these categories appear in nearly every fulfillment quote.
1. Receiving Your Inventory
When inventory arrives at a 3PL warehouse, the provider unloads shipments, counts units, checks for damage, and logs products into their inventory system.
Typical receiving costs:
- $20–$50 per labor hour
- $5–$15 per pallet
- $0.25+ per unit
Receiving costs are influenced by shipment size, packaging consistency, and whether inventory arrives floor-loaded or palletized.
2. Storage and Warehousing
Storage fees are usually billed monthly and based on how much space your inventory occupies in the warehouse.
Common storage pricing models:
- Per pallet: $5–$15 per month
- Per bin or shelf: $1–$2.50 per month
- Per cubic foot: $0.30–$0.55 per month
Tip: Inventory that turns quickly costs less to store. Slow-moving SKUs and inefficient packaging increase storage fees over time.
3. Pick, Pack, and Ship (Order Fulfillment)
This is the core of 3PL fulfillment, pulling items from inventory, packing them, and preparing orders for shipment.
Pick and pack costs typically include:
- Flat fee per order: $2–$3.75
- Per-item fee: $0.20–$1.50 (for multi-item orders)
- Custom or branded packaging: $0.25–$2.00
- Inserts or labeling: $0.10+ per order
Orders with multiple items, fragile products, or special handling requirements usually cost more.
4. Shipping and Returns (Reverse Logistics)
Shipping charges depend on package weight, dimensions, destination, carrier, and service level. Many 3PLs offer access to negotiated carrier rates, which can be lower than retail depending on volume and shipping profile.
Returns processing typically includes:
- $1–$3.50 per return
- Return shipping billed at cost
As ecommerce return rates increase, reverse logistics efficiency has become a meaningful cost driver for many brands.
3PL Pricing Models Explained
Beyond individual fees, 3PLs use different pricing structures to bill for their services.
Transactional Pricing
You pay per order, per unit, or per pallet. Best for startups or brands with fluctuating demand.
Tiered Pricing
Rates decrease as volume increases. Common for scaling ecommerce brands with predictable growth.
Flat-Rate Pricing
A fixed monthly fee covering fulfillment up to defined limits. Offers predictability but less flexibility.
Project-Based Pricing
Used for launches, kitting projects, crowdfunding fulfillment, or seasonal campaigns.
Pass-Through Pricing
Carrier and labor costs are passed through at near-cost, typically with a small markup.
Technology and Software Fees
Most modern 3PLs include access to their fulfillment software as part of the relationship, but it’s still important to understand what’s included.
Depending on the provider, pricing may account for:
- Warehouse management system (WMS) access
- Real-time inventory visibility
- Ecommerce platform integrations
- Order routing and tracking tools
- Basic reporting and dashboards
Advanced integrations (such as EDI for wholesale or custom workflows) may carry additional setup or usage fees.
What Drives Your 3PL Pricing Up or Down
Two brands shipping the same number of orders can have very different fulfillment costs. Common pricing drivers include:
- Average items per order
- Number of SKUs and storage method
- Inventory velocity and seasonality
- Packaging size and dimensional weight
- Returns rate and inspection requirements
- B2C vs wholesale fulfillment
- Multi-warehouse or single-node fulfillment strategy
Understanding these variables helps you evaluate quotes more accurately.
How to Calculate Your Fulfillment Cost Per Order
A simple way to estimate fulfillment costs is:
Total Monthly Fees ÷ Number of Orders = Fulfillment Cost Per Order
Is 3PL Worth the Cost?
For most growing ecommerce brands, yes—when chosen strategically.
Benefits often include:
- Lower operational complexity
- Faster and more consistent delivery
- Improved customer satisfaction
- More time to focus on product and growth
Pro tip: Always compare multiple providers, review SLAs, and understand how pricing scales as volume changes.
Why Atomix Logistics
Atomix Logistics provides ecommerce fulfillment solutions designed for growing brands that value clarity and execution.
What sets Atomix apart:
- Transparent pricing with clear line items
- Strategically located fulfillment centers in Milwaukee and Salt Lake City
- Coverage that reaches most U.S. customers within two business days using ground shipping, depending on carrier and cutoff times
- A pod-based warehouse model that improves accuracy and scalability
- Real-time inventory management tools
- Dedicated support throughout onboarding and ongoing operations
Ready to Streamline Your Fulfillment?
Discover how our fulfillment services can reduce costs, improve delivery times, and help you scale your ecommerce operations with confidence.
FAQ: Understanding 3PL Costs and Fulfillment Services
What factors influence 3PL pricing most?
Order volume, storage requirements, product size and weight, returns rate, and fulfillment complexity all play major roles.
How much does pick and pack fulfillment cost?
Most providers charge $2–$3.75 per order, plus per-item fees for multi-SKU orders.
Are there minimum monthly fees with 3PLs?
Many 3PLs enforce minimums, especially for low-volume accounts. Always ask upfront.
What’s included in pick and pack fees?
Typically labor and standard packing materials. Custom packaging and inserts are often billed separately.
Should I use my own carrier rates or a 3PL’s?
If you already ship at high volume, your own rates may be better. Otherwise, a 3PL’s negotiated rates can simplify operations.
How often should I review my 3PL pricing?
At least twice a year, or anytime your order volume or product mix changes significantly.
.svg)
.svg)
.svg)
.svg)
.svg)
