3PL pricing explained, fee by fee

Updated 2026-10-31

3PL prices change a lot by country, volume and product, so we're not going to give you a number. What we can do is list the fees you'll see, so nothing on the invoice surprises you.

Setup and onboarding

Some charge a one-off fee to set you up, connect Shopify and load your SKUs. Many waive it. Ask.

Receiving

The cost of taking in your stock. It can be per pallet, per carton, per hour or per unit. Loose cartons with mixed SKUs usually cost more to receive than labelled pallets.

Storage

Charged per pallet, per shelf or bin, or per cubic metre or foot, usually monthly or weekly. Slow sellers cost you here. Ask whether they charge on peak usage or average.

Pick and pack

The main per-order fee. Often a price for the first item and a lower price for each extra item. Check whether packaging is included or billed on top.

Postage

Most 3PLs resell carrier rates. Ask which carriers they use, whether you can use your own account, and whether they add a markup or a fuel surcharge.

Minimums and extras

Look for a monthly minimum spend, account management fees, returns handling, kitting, inserts, labelling, and fees for B2B or retail orders. Peak season surcharges exist too.

Put it into one number

Add it all up for a normal month and divide by orders. Do it again for your busiest month. That gives you a cost per order you can compare across quotes. Then see what each one commits to in the SLA (KPIs and SLA). The 3PL directory is a place to start finding names to ask.

Questions people ask

How much does a 3PL cost per order?

It varies a lot by country, volume, product size and the services you need, so be careful with any single number. Ask each 3PL to quote your real order profile and work out the full cost per order including storage, packaging and minimums.

What is a 3PL monthly minimum?

A minimum amount you pay each month even if your actual fees are lower. It matters most for smaller stores and in quiet months.

Are 3PL fees negotiable?

Often, especially setup fees, minimums and storage for slow periods. You will have more room to negotiate if you can show clean, predictable order data.

Questions to ask a 3PL before you sign | ForthMatch

3PL scorecard template (free, copy and use) | ForthMatch