Questions to ask a 3PL before you sign
Updated 2026-10-31
Copy these into an email, send the same list to every 3PL on your shortlist, and ask for written answers. The way they answer tells you a fair bit too.
Orders and dispatch
- What's your cut-off time for same-day dispatch, and in which time zone?
- Do you ship on weekends?
- What do you commit to for on-time dispatch, and what happens if you miss it?
- How do you handle orders on hold, split shipments and gift notes?
Accuracy and stock
- How do you measure pick accuracy, and what's your target?
- Who pays for a mis-pick?
- How often do you count stock, and how do you fix differences?
- How long from delivery to stock being sellable?
Shopify and systems
- How do you connect to Shopify? Native app, middleware, or manual?
- Does tracking come back into Shopify automatically?
- Do I get live access to stock and order status?
- Can you show an example monthly report?
Products and services
- Have you handled products like mine before?
- Do you do returns, kitting, subscriptions, B2B or retail orders?
- What do you need from me for food, cosmetics, supplements or batteries?
Peak season and people
- What happened in your last peak season? Did dispatch times slip?
- Who's my day-to-day contact, and how fast do they reply?
- Can I talk to one or two current clients my size?
Money and leaving
- Can you quote my real order profile, all fees included?
- Is there a monthly minimum?
- What's the notice period and what does it cost to leave?
When the answers are in, put them into the scorecard. Looking for names to send this to? Try the 3PL directory.
Questions people ask
What is the most important question to ask a 3PL?
Ask what they commit to in writing for on-time dispatch and pick accuracy, and what happens when they miss it. That says more than any sales deck.
Should I ask a 3PL for references?
Yes. Ask for one or two current clients of a similar size and product type, and ask those clients how peak season went.
Related guides
How to compare 3PLs for a Shopify store | ForthMatch
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