How much does a US 3PL cost? A US 3PL typically charges across four areas: receiving, storage, pick & pack, and shipping. Storage starts around $0.10 per day for a small pick bin, parcel shipping starts around $5.74 for a standard order, and packaging runs from about $0.14 per parcel. Your real cost per order depends on your volume, product size, and shipping mix.
If you’re comparing US 3PL quotes, you’ve likely found they’re almost impossible to line up side by side: one quotes a low pick rate then adds storage minimums, another bundles everything so you can’t see what you’re paying for, a third won’t share a number until you’re on a sales call. This guide breaks down what actually drives the cost, with real published figures so you have a concrete reference rather than vague ranges.
What does a US 3PL charge for?
Almost all legitimate 3PL pricing breaks into four core charges. If a quote doesn’t separate these out, that’s the first thing to question:
- Receiving (goods-in) — handling your stock when it arrives.
- Storage — holding your inventory, charged by the space it occupies.
- Pick & pack — retrieving each order, packing it, handing it to the carrier.
- Shipping — the carrier’s charge to deliver to your customer.
Everything else — packaging, returns, special projects — sits on top as add-ons. Here’s what each should look like.
How much does 3PL receiving cost?
Receiving covers unloading and booking in your inventory. Models vary — per hour, per carton, or per pallet — and the key question is whether standard palletized deliveries are charged at all. At Fulfillable, goods-in is free for palletized stock; the only exception is non-palletized containers, charged at $40 per person per hour for unloading only. When comparing quotes, ask exactly what receiving costs for your typical inbound shipment, because it’s an easy place for charges to hide.
How much does 3PL storage cost?
3PL storage typically costs from around $0.10 per day for a small pick bin, with larger spaces costing more. Storage is where pricing models differ most and where brands most often overpay — some charge per item, some per pallet per month regardless of how full it is. The more cost-efficient approach charges for the space actually occupied, billed daily so fast-moving stock costs less. Our published US rates:
- Pick bin (≈10 litre, for fast daily picking): $0.10/day
- Shelf (carton goods or larger items): $0.30/day
- Pallet (bulk inventory): $0.80/day
To make it concrete: a single-product brand sending one pallet of 1,000 units might use one pick bin plus one pallet — about $0.90/day, or roughly $25/month. When comparing, ask how storage is measured, because “per pallet per month” and “per location per day” produce very different bills for the same stock.
How much does pick and pack cost?
Pick & pack is the per-order cost of fulfilling — scanning, picking, packing, and handing to the carrier. It’s the charge brands focus on most, and the one most likely to be quoted as a low teaser rate that climbs with add-ons. Pick & pack rates are typically negotiable as order volume rises: the more you ship, the better the per-order economics should get. When comparing, don’t just compare the headline first-pick rate — ask what’s included and what counts as an additional pick, because that’s where two identical-looking quotes diverge.
How much does 3PL shipping cost?
Shipping is the carrier’s charge to deliver the parcel — one fee per parcel, not per order — and it’s usually the largest single line. It’s driven by weight, dimensions, and destination, so a flat “shipping rate” is always a starting point. The value a 3PL adds is buying power: pooled volume means lower negotiated rates than most brands get alone. Our published US starting rates can be found here(Link)
What add-on costs should I watch for?
Beyond the core four, ask about these before you sign so none surprise you:
- Packaging — free if you use your own; if the 3PL packs for you, expect a per-parcel charge by type (ours: from $0.14 mailing bags, $0.25 padded mailers, $0.45 boxes; void fill, paper and tape free).
- Returns — often per returned item for checking, grading and restocking.
- Rework / manual labour — anything outside standard fulfillment, usually per person per hour (ours: $40/PPPH).
- Barcoding — if products arrive without scannable barcodes, a per-label charge (from $0.38).
- Integration fees — most integrations are free; some premium ones may carry a fee.
How do I compare US 3PL quotes fairly?
Put any two quotes through this filter: Are all four core charges itemised separately? How is storage measured — space used and billed daily, or per pallet per month? What’s included in the pick rate, and what triggers an extra charge? Are shipping rates for the same carrier, service, and parcel profile you’ll actually use? What add-ons and minimums apply, and at your real volume what do they total? Then calculate the all-in cost per order at your actual monthly volume — that’s the only number that matters. A low pick rate with high storage minimums can cost more than a higher pick rate with efficient daily storage.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a US 3PL cost per order? It depends on your product size, weight, and volume, but a typical order combines a per-order pick & pack charge, a share of daily storage, packaging (from ~$0.14), and parcel shipping (from ~$5.74 for a standard parcel). The best way to get your real number is to model it in a pricing calculator against your actual volume.
Is there a minimum monthly fee for a US 3PL? Many US 3PLs apply a monthly minimum. Fulfillable’s is $1,000/month, and brands shipping fewer than around 300 orders per month usually aren’t a good fit for a 3PL yet.
What’s included in 3PL pick and pack? Pick and pack covers scanning, retrieving the items in an order, packing them, and handing the parcel to the carrier. Some providers include packaging in this rate and some charge it separately, so always confirm what a quoted pick rate actually includes.
Do 3PLs charge for receiving stock? It varies. Some charge per hour, carton, or pallet. Fulfillable receives palletized stock free of charge, charging only for non-palletized container unloading at $40 per person per hour.
How much does 3PL storage cost in the US? Fulfillable’s published US storage rates are $0.10/day for a pick bin, $0.30/day for a shelf, and $0.80/day for a pallet, billed daily based on the space your stock actually occupies rather than a flat monthly per-pallet fee.
Figures reflect Fulfillable’s published US rates at the time of writing, shown as a reference; your actual cost depends on product profile, volume, and shipping mix. Industry pricing varies — always confirm current rates directly.
