Frequently asked questions

Yes, there are some upfront costs to get your inventory received, your account set up, and your integrations connected. They depend on how complex your setup is, and they are itemized in your quote, so there are no surprises. Get a quote and we will lay it all out.

Yes. We have warehouses in New Jersey, near the Port of NY/NJ, and in California, near the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach. A short trip from the port means your containers reach the warehouse sooner and cost less to truck in. See our locations.

Absolutely. We offer discreet shipping options that include unmarked packaging and confidential handling to ensure your sensitive products are delivered securely and privately.

Yes, we are fully equipped to manage seasonal surges and peak demand with our scalable fulfillment solutions, including additional staffing and extended hours.

Yes, our advanced WMS supports seamless management of both B2B and B2C clients in one integrated system, providing efficient handling across all our warehouses.

Yes, our flexible fulfillment processes and scalable infrastructure allow us to adapt to varying order volumes, whether you have seasonal surges, promotions, or unexpected demand spikes.

Yes. Use our shipping rate calculator with your packed box dimensions, actual weight and destination ZIP code. It gives you a starting point for comparing available parcel options. For a full review, bring several common package sizes and your monthly shipment volume.

Yes. You can print your own labels for packages shipped from outside our warehouses.

Yes, we welcome our clients to visit our warehouses by appointment. Please contact us to arrange a visit.

Yes. 3PL Center ships parcel orders and LTL pallet freight from the same inventory in the same warehouse, so your online orders and your wholesale pallets do not need two providers. For LTL shipping, we compare carriers on price and transit time and can book a liftgate or a delivery appointment when the receiver needs one. Full truckloads are available too, and our LTL freight calculator gives live rates.

Yes, for most of the US. With inventory in our New Jersey and California warehouses, most US customers are within 2 days by ground, so you can offer 2-day delivery without paying for air on every order. For customers farther away, or when an order needs to arrive sooner, we ship 2-day and overnight air services. Here is how 2-day shipping works.

Yes, our WMS allows for centralized inventory management, fulfilling orders from multiple channels (like online stores, marketplaces, and wholesale) from a single inventory pool.

Yes, we are experienced in managing various labeling requirements, including those from major retailers like Macy’s, Walmart, and Nordstrom, and can customize labels to meet your specific needs.

Absolutely. Our advanced WMS can handle thousands of SKUs, and our team is trained to manage complex inventories, ensuring accurate order fulfillment every time.

Yes. Whether you import from Asia or anywhere else, 3PL Center picks up containers at the Port of NY/NJ and the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, brings them to our warehouse, unloads them and ships your orders from that stock. You can track each container in real time from port pickup to delivery. We schedule the pickup and handle the drayage paperwork to lower the risk of demurrage and detention charges. See our drayage services.

Yes, we offer specialized services for subscription box fulfillment, including customized packing, assembly, and shipping options.

Yes, we offer customized fulfillment solutions tailored to your product’s specific needs, whether it involves special packaging, unique handling, or specific shipping requirements.

Yes, we integrate seamlessly with all major sales channels and marketplaces, including Amazon, Shopify, Walmart, and eBay, allowing you to manage your inventory and orders from one centralized system.

Both work. You can ship on our discounted rates with UPS, FedEx and USPS, and we compare carriers on each order to find the best price for the delivery speed you need. Or you can use your own carrier accounts, including your preferred LTL carrier, and we ship on those. Our shipping rate calculator shows starting parcel rates.

Yes, we offer cross-docking services to minimize storage time and expedite delivery. Products are received, sorted, and shipped directly without lengthy storage, reducing costs and time.

Absolutely! We provide kitting and assembly services, consolidating multiple pieces into one package when needed, and offer a range of customized packaging options to fit your brand’s needs.

Yes, we offer flexible warehousing solutions, including both short-term and long-term storage, to accommodate your inventory needs.

Yes. We ship orders to customers outside the US and prepare the shipping documents carriers require. We are not a customs broker, so customs filing, clearance, and compliance sign-off stay with your broker. We coordinate with them so shipments keep moving.

Yes, we inspect and manage damaged or defective products, coordinating returns, repairs, or disposal per your instructions and providing detailed reporting.

Yes, we have a monthly minimum so every client gets the service level we commit to. That said, if you are an early-stage brand with real growth ahead, talk to us, since we often work with you on the minimum while you scale. Get a quote and we will match a plan to where you are now and where you are headed.

Absolutely! We offer seamless integration with all major e-commerce platforms and provide technical support to ensure smooth connectivity and data flow between our systems and yours.

Our WMS provides comprehensive reporting tools that allow you to monitor order status, inventory levels, shipping performance, and other key metrics in real time.

Most 3PLs charge for storage by the pallet, bin, or shelf per month, based on how much space your inventory takes up. Pallet storage suits bulkier inventory, while bin and shelf rates suit small, high-count SKUs. Storage is one line in your total fulfillment cost alongside receiving and per-order handling. Our calculator estimates your monthly storage cost from your inventory profile.

Choose a 3PL on five things: where its warehouses sit compared with your customers and your port, how accurately and quickly it ships, which of your sales channels it connects to, how clearly it prices, and how fast you can reach a person when something goes wrong. Before you sign, ask for a line-item quote, how shipping is billed, the notice period to leave, who pays if inventory goes missing, and how peak season works. Our guide to choosing a 3PL partner and our list of 3PL contract red flags cover each point.

Compare quotes on total cost per order, not the pick fee. Take one month of your real orders and price it in each quote: receiving, storage, pick and pack, packaging, shipping and any monthly account fees. Check the unit behind each fee, such as per order, per item, per pallet or per hour, and ask how shipping is billed. Our fulfillment cost calculator gives you a starting estimate to compare against.

Request a quote, then book a call so we can match a plan to your products and order volume. Once you sign, we help connect your store and marketplaces to 3PLify, our client portal, and you send your inventory to our New Jersey or California warehouse. We receive and put away new stock within 24 to 48 hours of arrival, and your orders then flow to the warehouse automatically.

Common signs: you are spending more time packing orders than growing the business, you are running out of storage space, shipping costs keep climbing, or you cannot ship fast enough when things get busy. If fulfillment is capping your growth, it is time to talk to a 3PL. Get a quote to see if it is the right move.

Keep your current 3PL shipping until your stock is counted and live at the new warehouse. Read your exit terms first, then connect and test your store and marketplace integrations at the new 3PL while the old one still ships. Move inventory in two or three waves, switch sales channels one at a time, and count every wave on arrival so any gap shows up before the old site closes. At 3PL Center, each wave is received and put away within 24 to 48 hours, and you can check it by pallet, box and item in 3PLify, our client portal. Our guide to switching 3PL providers walks through it step by step.

We have the capacity and experience to manage large-scale wholesale and bulk orders, providing efficient pick and pack services, bulk palletization, and shipping to multiple destinations.

We use specialized packaging materials and methods to ensure the safe transport of fragile items, minimizing the risk of damage during storage and shipping.

Our WMS continuously monitors inventory levels in real-time, automatically alerting you to discrepancies or low stock levels, allowing proactive management and reordering to prevent stockouts.

We have a streamlined returns process, including receiving, inspecting, and restocking or disposing of items as needed, while providing you with detailed reports to manage your reverse logistics effectively.

We offer seamless integration with all major e-commerce platforms, including Shopify, Amazon, and Walmart, ensuring a smooth transition and continuous service.

Our warehouses feature energy-saving solutions, such as motion-sensor-activated LED lighting and electric machinery, to reduce energy consumption and lower emissions. We are also planning to install solar panels to generate renewable energy on-site.

Our advanced WMS provides centralized inventory management across all warehouse locations, allowing you to view stock levels, track shipments, and manage orders seamlessly from a single platform.

We minimize waste by employing a comprehensive recycling program, utilizing a baler and compactor for cardboard, and opting for eco-friendly packaging materials. We continuously evaluate our processes to find new ways to reduce waste and improve efficiency.

A 3PL works in four steps: it receives your inventory, stores it in its warehouse, then picks, packs, and ships each order as it comes in. You send your products to the 3PL’s warehouse, and their system connects to your store so orders flow in automatically. At 3PL Center, inbound inventory is received and put away within 24 to 48 hours, and orders placed by 2pm local time ship the same business day. You watch inventory and orders in real time through the customer portal.

Order fulfillment is the process of receiving, storing, picking, packing, and shipping customer orders. It begins when inventory reaches a warehouse and ends when the customer receives the order; returns are usually part of the process too. A 3PL handles these steps for brands that want to outsource warehouse operations.

Orders received by 2pm local time ship the same day. Storing your inventory near the ports on both coasts also shortens delivery time and cost once orders go out. Get a quote to see your shipping options.

The part on our side is quick. Once your inventory arrives, we receive it and put it away within 24 to 48 hours, and your orders can start flowing as soon as your store is connected. What usually sets the overall timeline is your current 3PL’s notice period, often 30 to 90 days, and how fast you can move your stock. Many brands keep their old warehouse shipping while inventory moves in waves, so customers never see a gap. Get a quote and we will map out a timeline for your setup.

It depends on your order volume, product weight, and how your inventory is stored. At 3PL Center, pick and pack starts at $1.99 per order for packages under 10 lbs, and pallet storage starts at $18.50 per month for pallets up to 60 inches tall. These are starting rates that depend on your volume, and packaging materials and storage are billed separately from pick and pack. Use our fulfillment cost calculator or get a quote for a full line-item breakdown with no surprises.

Inbound inventory is typically received and put away within 24 to 48 hours, so your stock is sellable fast after it arrives.

No. 3PL Center is a fulfillment company. We run our own warehouses in New Jersey and California and store, pack and ship orders for ecommerce and retail brands. 3PL Central is a different company that makes warehouse management software, and it is now called Extensiv. We are not affiliated with 3PL Central, and we do not sell software. Clients see their inventory, orders and shipping in our own online portal.

Usually within 24 to 48 hours. We unload the container, check the cartons against your packing list, put the stock away and update your inventory in 3PLify, and orders start shipping from there. Palletized containers go faster than floor-loaded ones, which have to be unloaded by hand. Here is how container receiving works.

3PL Center is dedicated to sustainability through various initiatives, including using a state-of-the-art baler and compactor for cardboard recycling, motion-sensor-activated LED lighting to reduce energy consumption, electric machinery to improve air quality, and eco-friendly packaging materials like recyclable shipping supplies and biodegradable peanuts. Additionally, we are investing in solar panels for our warehouse roofs to generate renewable energy, demonstrating our commitment to a greener future.

Most 3PLs charge for receiving, storage, pick and pack, packaging, shipping, and extra work such as kitting or returns. The fees that surprise brands are usually receiving charges for cartons that arrive unlabeled or mixed, and project work billed by the hour with no set rate. Ask for every fee in writing with the unit it is billed by, then compare quotes on cost per order, not the pick fee alone. 3PL Center lists every charge in your quote and in 3PLify, so you can check each line. Here is how to audit a 3PL invoice.

We serve a wide range of industries, including e-commerce, consumer electronics, health and wellness, apparel, and more, providing tailored solutions for each sector’s unique requirements.

A 3PL (third-party logistics provider) stores your inventory, picks and packs your orders, ships them to your customers, and handles returns, so you don’t have to run a warehouse yourself. 3PL Center does all of that from warehouses on both coasts, with real-time visibility into your stock and orders. Get a quote to see how it would work for your brand.

A WMS is the software that runs a warehouse: it tracks where every item sits, directs picking and packing, and records what ships. For you as a client, the WMS is what powers your visibility. 3PL Center’s portal shows your inventory on hand and in transit, your orders, returns, and fulfillment activity in real time.

LTL (less than truckload) shipping moves freight that does not fill a whole truck, usually one to a few pallets, so you share the truck and its cost with other shippers. It is the usual way to send wholesale and retail pallet orders. Learn more about how LTL shipping works.

Order fulfillment is everything that happens between a customer clicking “buy” and the package arriving at their door. It covers receiving inventory, storage, picking the right items, packing them, shipping, and handling returns. Brands either do this in-house or outsource it to a fulfillment provider. Outsourcing usually makes sense when order volume grows past what your team can pack in a day.

Pick and pack is the core of order fulfillment: a warehouse worker picks the items for an order off the shelf, packs them into a box, and gets the package ready to ship. Most 3PLs charge a per-order handling fee for this. 3PL Center maintains 99.9% fulfillment accuracy, and you can see your pick and pack pricing in the calculator.

Reverse logistics is the flow of products moving backward through the supply chain, from the customer back to the warehouse. Returns are the biggest piece: receiving the item back, inspecting it, then restocking, refurbishing, or disposing of it. Done well, it puts sellable inventory back on the shelf fast instead of letting it pile up in a returns bin.

Small parcel shipping moves individual packages through parcel carriers. It is commonly used for ecommerce orders and other boxed shipments. Size, weight and service limits vary by carrier. If your shipment needs a pallet or exceeds parcel limits, an LTL service may be a better fit.

With dropshipping you never hold inventory, and a supplier ships each order for you. With a 3PL, you own the inventory and the 3PL stores and ships it for you, so you control quality, packaging and speed. 3PL Center also ships drop-ship orders for retailers such as Wayfair and Home Depot: when they sell your product, we ship it from your inventory in our warehouse straight to their customer. See dropshipping vs. a 3PL for which fits your business.

Our real-time tracking includes complete order visibility, from the packing and shipping stages in our warehouses to live updates from the carrier, keeping you informed every step of the way.

Our advanced WMS tracks inventory in real-time, and we conduct regular audits to maintain a 99.9% accuracy rate, ensuring that stock levels are always up-to-date.

We offer a variety of sustainable packaging options, including recyclable shipping materials, biodegradable peanuts, eco-friendly shipping labels, and corrugated packaging, allowing businesses to align their logistics with their environmental values.

Our warehouses are equipped with 24/7 surveillance, access control systems, and secure storage areas to ensure the safety of your products.

Our WMS provides real-time inventory updates and order tracking, offering full visibility from the moment an order is placed to its final delivery.

We use an advanced Warehouse Management System (WMS) with features like real-time inventory tracking, order management, box optimization, and rate shopping to provide efficient and cost-effective fulfillment services.

We offer a full range of fulfillment services, including e-commerce fulfillment, subscription box fulfillment, pick and pack services, kitting and assembly, and more, tailored to meet your business needs.

We can store a wide range of products, including electric bicycles, flat-pack furniture, cosmetics, vitamins, and oversized items. We handle products with specific storage requirements to ensure their safety.

We specialize in handling electric bicycles, flat-pack furniture, cosmetics, vitamins, and many other products. We have expertise in shipping oversized and bulky items.

A 3PL does the physical work of storing and shipping your products. A 4PL sits a level above and manages your whole supply chain, including other 3PLs, usually without owning warehouses. Most growing brands need a 3PL that actually ships orders, not a manager of managers. 3PL Center is an asset-based 3PL, so we run our own warehouses and team.

A 3PL stores your inventory and fulfills your orders, while a freight broker only arranges transportation between shippers and carriers. A broker never touches your product; it matches your freight with a truck. A 3PL takes physical custody: it receives, stores, picks, packs, and ships your goods, and often arranges the freight too.

A fulfillment center is the building where orders get picked, packed, and shipped. A 3PL is the company that runs it and manages everything around it: receiving, storage, carrier rates, returns, and reporting. With 3PL Center you get both the facilities and the team running them. See what that looks like for your brand.

FBA only fulfills orders inside Amazon’s ecosystem, while a 3PL fulfills orders from every channel you sell on. With FBA, Amazon stores your inventory and ships your Amazon orders under its rules and fee structure. A 3PL holds one inventory pool and ships your Shopify, Amazon, wholesale, and marketplace orders from it. Many brands use both, keeping FBA for Prime and a 3PL for everything else.

Floor loaded means cartons are stacked directly in the container with no pallets, while palletized freight arrives already stacked and wrapped on pallets. Floor loading fits more product in the container, but unloading takes hand labor, so warehouses price it as a flat per-container unloading rate instead of a per-pallet receiving rate. Palletized freight unloads faster and moves straight to storage. You can estimate both in our fulfillment cost calculator.

We operate warehouses on both coasts, in California and New Jersey near the ports. Splitting your inventory across coasts cuts transit time and shipping cost to your customers. See our locations.

Call our team at +1 732-391-2500. You can also see order, inventory and shipment status yourself at any time in 3PLify, our client portal, so you do not have to wait for a reply to know where things stand. Returns are photographed on arrival, which makes damage and missing-item questions quicker to settle.

Brands choose 3PL Center for accurate, fast shipping and a team that knows freight as well as fulfillment. We ship orders with 99.9% accuracy, orders received by 2 PM ship the same day, and new inventory is received within 24 to 48 hours. Our warehouses in New Jersey and California sit near the ports of NY/NJ and Los Angeles and Long Beach, so one provider can pick up your container, store it, ship parcel orders and send LTL freight. The family behind 3PL Center brings more than 40 years of experience in trucking and logistics.

A bulky box takes up space in a carrier’s network. Dimensional-weight rules can affect the billable weight even when the package is light. A smaller carton may help if it still protects the product. Use our dimensional weight calculator as a starting point.