Why Lot Tracking Matters in Fulfillment

What Is Lot Tracking?

Lot tracking is the process of identifying and tracing groups of products with shared production data—such as manufacturing date, batch number, or expiration date—through every stage of the supply chain. The warehouse team assigns each group a lot number that tracks it from receiving to shipping.

Lot tracking is essential for businesses that need traceability for compliance, quality control, and customer safety—especially in industries like supplements, cosmetics, electronics, and food.

Why Lot Tracking Is Important

Whether you're selling vitamins or skincare, lot tracking gives your team and your customers peace of mind. Here’s why it’s critical:

Regulatory compliance: Many industries require lot tracking to meet FDA, GMP, or retailer standards.


Product recalls: If an issue arises, you can isolate affected batches immediately without recalling unaffected stock.


Expiration management: Easily rotate inventory (FIFO/FEFO) and reduce waste by shipping older or expiring lots first.


Inventory control: Get detailed visibility into which lot is stored where, and when it was received or shipped.

How Lot Tracking Works at 3PL Center

At 3PL Center, we support complete lot tracking throughout your fulfillment process. Our warehouse management system (WMS) captures and retains detailed lot information as part of every order cycle.

Here's how we do it:

Lot numbers recorded at receiving
Our team scans and logs every product at receiving, recording its lot number, expiration date (if applicable), and other key data.


Real-time tracking through our WMS
You can view inventory by lot number anytime using our customer portal. This includes quantity on hand, location, and shipping history.


FIFO/FEFO fulfillment logic
Need oldest inventory shipped first? Our system supports both First-In-First-Out and First-Expired-First-Out methods, ensuring product freshness and compliance with expiration standards.


Accurate order picking and packing
Our warehouse team uses handheld scanners and barcoding to ensure each item is picked from the correct lot using batch picking strategies that maintain order accuracy and speed.


Audit-ready reports
Want to trace where you shipped a specific lot? We can provide full reports for audits, quality assurance, or recalls.

Who Needs Lot Tracking?

If you're in one of the following industries, lot tracking is likely a must-have:

Nutritional supplements and vitamins


Cosmetics and skincare products


Food and beverage


Medical devices or health-related goods


Electronics or parts with version control needs

Even if you're not legally required to track lots, it’s a smart way to improve accuracy and build customer trust.

Why Choose 3PL Center for Lot-Tracked Fulfillment?

Our team is trained in handling lot-specific products with precision. From receiving to returns, we maintain full traceability of every batch, so you’re always covered.

Here’s how we help you succeed:

Seamless integrations with your ERP, shopping cart, or EDI system


24/7 access to your inventory with lot-level data


Automated lot assignment and pick logic to reduce human error


Support for recalls or compliance checks


Experience across regulated industries like supplements, cosmetics, and food

Final Thoughts

Lot tracking isn’t just a technical detail—it’s a critical part of keeping your inventory safe, accurate, and compliant. At 3PL Center, we make it easy by combining the right technology with a highly trained team.

Need help with lot tracking in your fulfillment?

Let’s talk. We’re ready to support your business with the tools and experience you need. Get a quote today.