Third-party logistics, explained
A third-party logistics (3PL) provider is a company that handles storage, picking, packing, and shipping of orders on behalf of an ecommerce or B2B business. Instead of running your own warehouse, you outsource fulfilment to a 3PL: they hold your stock, process orders as they come in, and ship to your customers.
Ecommerce brands across the UK, US, EU, Canada and Australia typically work with a 3PL once they exceed 500 orders per month, where the cost of outsourcing falls below the cost of doing it in-house. Brands selling cross-border often split inventory across multiple regions to cut shipping costs and transit times.
3PL marketplace vs single 3PL: how they compare
Most websites pitch you on one 3PL warehouse. We compare every 3PL partner in our network against your products, channels, and volumes, then introduce you to the right ones.
How to find a 3PL in four steps
We've helped hundreds of brands to find a 3PL, with a process that's short, completely free, and respects your time.
1
Submit
Tell us your needs
Products, volumes, sales channels, and target markets. Just five minutes online, or a call with our expert team.
2
Match
Get matched
We shortlist 3–5 vetted 3PLs from our network that fit your businesses' vertical, geography, and stage of growth.
3
Compare
Select 3PLs
Get quotes, conduct intro calls, and arrange warehouse tours if you want them. You choose. We're a neutral party throughout.
4
Partner
Go live
Integration, stock transfer, test orders, and launch. Most brands are live within 2–4 weeks of choosing a 3PL provider.
What does a
3PL do?
A modern 3PL is more than a warehouse. The good ones run a tight operation across receiving, storage, packing, dispatch, returns, and reporting.
Warehousing
Pick and pack
Orders received from your store are picked, packed, and labelled the same day; with options for branded packaging, inserts, and gift-wrap.
Shipping and last mile
Returns
Receive, inspect, grade, and restock returns. Reverse logistics flows wired into your store so refunds and exchanges run themselves.
Cross-border
Specialist services
FBA prep, kitting and assembly, subscription box assembly, hazmat, refrigerated, and oversized items. Match the 3PL to the complexity.
What does a 3PL cost in 2026?
3PL pricing structures are remarkably consistent globally: storage, pick, pack, postage, and returns. Regional rates and currencies differ however. Here's the all-in per-order range across five markets, plus a UK breakdown as a worked example.
Figures shown are indicative ranges for standard ecommerce orders and exclude postage and carrier costs, which are quoted separately.
3PL pricing by region
Cost structure, line by line
For brands serving multiple regions, splitting inventory typically cuts cross-border shipping by 15–30% and slashes transit times by 2–4 days. The decision usually pays for itself above 500 orders/month per market. fulfilment.com is the only marketplace that matches across all five regions in a single workflow: UK to US, US to EU, EU to UK, and the rest.
How to choose a 3PL: 8 questions to ask
Ask these on the first call, and you'll find out whether the provider is a fit for your brand, or a complete waste of time.
01
Do you have direct experience with my vertical?
02
What integrations do you have with my stack?
03
What are your accuracy and SLA numbers?
04
How do you handle peak season?
BFCM, Q4, and product launches. Do they staff up? Cap on-boarding? Penalise overage? Get the specifics in writing.
05
What does your full rate card look like unbundled?
06
What's your minimum contract and exit terms?
07
Who actually runs my account day-to-day?
08
Can I see your warehouse and a live picking station?
A 30-minute tour tells you more than a 90-minute pitch. If they hesitate, take the hint.
Best 3PL companies worldwide, and who they suit
Choosing a 3PL location: UK, US, EU, Canada or Australia
Where you fulfil from drives shipping speed, shipping cost, and your customer experience. This completely depends on where your customers are, and not where your office is. We match brands with 3PL providers across all five markets.
United Kingdom
When the UK is right
Customer base 70%+ UK or UK+EU.
Need next-day or 48-hour UK delivery.
Selling on UK marketplaces: Amazon UK, eBay UK, TikTok Shop.
IOSS for EU orders without a separate EU warehouse.
Below ~500 international orders/mo: not yet worth splitting.
United States
When the US is right
30%+ US customers, or US is your growth market.
Need 2-day or free US shipping without margin pain.
Cross-border from the UK is hurting transit times.
Selling on Amazon.com or running US-targeted paid traffic.
Expanding D2C into the US, want a local-feeling experience.
European Union
When the EU is right
Significant EU customer base post-Brexit.
Want to avoid UK-EU customs friction on every order.
Hitting IOSS €150 thresholds regularly.
Selling on European marketplaces: Bol.com, Otto, Allegro.
NL and DE warehouses offer the most competitive pricing.
Canada
When Canada is right
Material Canadian customer base.
Avoiding US-Canada customs and duties on B2C.
Selling on Amazon.ca or Canadian marketplaces.
Cross-border to US still possible with the right partner.
Toronto and Vancouver hubs cover most of the country.
Australia
When Australia is right
Australian or APAC customer base.
Avoiding 7–14 day transit from UK / US / EU.
Selling on Amazon.com.au or local marketplaces.
Higher base costs but transformative local delivery times.
Sydney and Melbourne dominate the network.
Cross-border
When multiple regions is right
Above 500 orders/mo in two or more markets.
Cross-border shipping costs eroding margin.
Transit times above 5 days hurting conversion.
Customs delays creating customer-service load.
Splitting inventory typically pays for itself in 60–90 days.
3PL vs 4PL vs FBA vs self-fulfilment
Not all fulfilment models are built the same. Here's how 3PL, 4PL, FBA, and self-fulfilment differ; and which one fits your business.
