Understanding 3PL Pricing: How We Calculate Your Quote

How is 3PL pricing calculated?

Most third-party warehouses charge for the work they do on your inventory. You pay to receive your goods, store them, pick and pack each order, and ship that order out. Some warehouses also charge small fees for special handling, returns, or kitting. There is no flat rate that fits every brand. The price moves with your volume, your products, and how much extra work each order needs.

The main fees in a 3PL quote

A real quote should list each fee on its own line and tell you the unit it is billed in (per pallet, per order, per item). Here is what to expect.

Receiving

Receiving is what the warehouse charges to unload your shipment and put it on the shelf. It is usually billed per pallet or per carton. If your supplier sends a clean, palletized container, receiving is fast and cheap. If everything is loose and floor-loaded, it takes longer and costs more.

Storage

Storage is the rent for the space your inventory takes up. Most 3PLs bill per pallet, per shelf, or per cubic foot, charged each month. The faster your inventory turns, the less you pay in storage. Slow movers cost more because they sit on the shelf longer.

Pick and pack

This is the work to fulfill each order. You will usually see a pick fee per item plus a pack fee per order, or a single all-in rate per order. Subscription boxes, kits, and gift wrap usually add a small fee on top.

Shipping

Shipping is what the carrier charges, usually passed through to you. A 3PL with strong carrier accounts saves you real money here. Always ask whether discounts are passed through directly or marked up.

Other common line items

Kitting and assembly, charged per item handled

Returns processing, charged per return

Account or software fees, often a flat monthly rate

Project work like label changes, relabeling, or photo audits

What changes the price

Two brands shipping the same product can get different quotes. The biggest factors:

Order volume. Higher volume usually unlocks better pick and pack rates.

SKU count. More SKUs means more shelf space and more pick paths.

Product size and weight. Oversized or fragile items cost more to handle.

Special packaging. Gift notes, custom inserts, and polybags add time.

Peak season. Q4 surges can push rates up.

How your stock arrives. Full containers are cheaper to receive than dozens of small inbound shipments.

How to get an accurate quote

The more numbers you share up front, the more accurate the quote. Send the warehouse:

Average orders per month, plus your peak month

Average items per order

Number of SKUs and product sizes

Where your inventory ships from

Anything special, like kitting, gift notes, or returns volume

A clear quote should list every fee on its own line, name the unit it is billed in, and show what shipping discounts you get.

How 3PL Center prices fulfillment

We send line-item quotes with no surprise fees. Storage is per pallet, pick and pack is clear by order and item, and we pass through carrier discounts so you keep the savings. Our warehouses sit near the ports in California and New Jersey. Orders that land by 2pm ship the same day. You also get a portal with real-time inventory and container tracking, so you always know where your stock is.

Want a fast estimate before you talk to us? Try the fulfillment cost calculator. When you are ready for a real number, request a quote and we will reply the same day.