What Is FEFO? First Expired, First Out Explained for Fulfillment

What Is FEFO (First Expired, First Out)?

FEFO stands for First Expired, First Out, a fulfillment method used to manage inventory with expiration dates. Unlike FIFO (First In, First Out), which prioritizes the order in which products were received, FEFO ensures that the items with the earliest expiration dates are shipped first—regardless of when they arrived.

This method is critical for industries where product freshness, safety, and compliance are non-negotiable.

Why FEFO Is Important

FEFO plays a major role in minimizing waste, maintaining product integrity, and protecting your brand reputation. It’s especially critical in industries like supplements, food, and cosmetics, where product safety and freshness are essential.

Here’s what FEFO helps you achieve:

Reduces product waste by shipping goods before they expire


Prevents outdated stock from reaching customers


Improves compliance with industry regulations


Protects your bottom line by minimizing spoilage and write-offs


Avoids retailer chargebacks or penalties


Builds trust with customers by delivering effective, safe products

Supports quality assurance in health-related industries

To see how we manage supplement inventory, check out our vitamin and supplement fulfillment services.

FEFO vs. FIFO: What's the Difference?

When to Use FEFO First Expired, First Out

FEFO is ideal for any product with a shelf life, including:

Vitamins and supplements


Nutraceuticals and pharmaceuticals


Skincare and cosmetics


Food and beverage


Medical supplies

If your products have a use-by, sell-by, or expiration date, FEFO should be part of your fulfillment strategy.

How 3PL Center Handles FEFO Fulfillment

At 3PL Center, we use FEFO logic across all expiration-sensitive inventory—especially for clients in the health and wellness, food, and cosmetics industries.

Here’s how we do it:

Expiration dates captured at receiving
Our warehouse team logs expiration data in our WMS as soon as products arrive.


Real-time inventory visibility
Clients can view current stock by expiration date, lot, and location through our 3PLify customer portal.


WMS-driven pick logic

Our WMS system automatically prioritizes the pick list based on soonest-to-expire inventory using rules similar to our batch picking methods.

Custom alerts and reports
Clients receive automatic notifications when products approach expiration, so they can plan promotions or restocks proactively.


FEFO + Lot Tracking
We combine FEFO with lot tracking to ensure total traceability in case of recalls or audits.

FEFO: First Expired, First Out Fulfillment That Keeps Products Fresh

FEFO isn’t just about shipping products in order—it’s about shipping with precision, compliance, and care. At 3PL Center, we’ve built our operations around methods like FEFO to ensure your products stay fresh, safe, and profitable.

Need help managing expiration-sensitive inventory? Contact 3PL Center to learn how our WMS and warehouse team can support your growth. Get a quote today.