Fulfillment Cost Calculator
Compare the costs of self-fulfillment vs using a 3PL. Find out which option makes sense for your order volume.
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Self-Fulfillment Costs
3PL Costs
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is 3PL fulfillment?
3PL (Third-Party Logistics) is outsourced fulfillment where a warehouse stores your inventory, picks, packs, and ships orders for you. Popular 3PLs include ShipBob, Deliverr, and ShipMonk. They handle everything from receiving inventory to returns processing.
When should I switch from self-fulfillment to 3PL?
Consider 3PL when: you ship 100-300+ orders/month, fulfillment takes too much time, you need faster shipping options, or growth is outpacing your capacity. The break-even is typically 200-500 orders/month, depending on your costs and order profile.
How much does 3PL fulfillment cost?
Typical 3PL costs: storage ($5-40/pallet/month), pick & pack ($2-5 per order), shipping (negotiated rates, often 15-30% below retail), receiving ($20-35/hour), and account fees ($250-500/month). Total per-order cost usually ranges from $5-15.
What are the hidden costs of self-fulfillment?
Often underestimated costs: your time (value it hourly), packing supplies, shipping software, storage space rent, insurance, equipment, errors/re-ships, and opportunity cost of not focusing on growth. These can add $2-5 per order beyond shipping costs.
What is Fulfilled by Amazon (FBA)?
FBA is Amazon's 3PL service where they store, pack, and ship your products. Benefits include Prime eligibility and Amazon's logistics network. Costs are higher than traditional 3PLs but include access to Amazon's customer base. Best for Amazon-focused sellers.
