A 3PL is a supply chain specialist that manages warehousing, fulfillment, shipping, and freight on behalf of businesses. This enables companies to focus on sales, marketing and product development.
How do 3PLs help with global ecommerce?
3PLs have the knowledge and infrastructure to store inventory around the world, process global online orders, optimize cross-border shipping, and navigate customs regulations in each country you sell to.
What supply chain services can a 3PL provide?
Key services include warehouse management, B2C/B2B order fulfillment, inbound and outbound transportation, customs brokerage, trade compliance consulting, supply chain visibility and inventory optimization.
Why should ecommerce retailers use a US-based 3PL?
A US 3PL helps consolidate US-bound imports before distribution to American fulfillment centers and end customers. This saves significant time and costs over direct overseas shipping.
What technologies can improve a 3PL partnership?
Real-time inventory and order management systems, shipment tracking portals, EDI integration for orders/inventory data exchange, and workflow automation between retailers and 3PLs.
How can I evaluate and select the right 3PL?
Assess 3PLs based on services offered, international scope, technology capabilities, ecommerce expertise, stability, culture fit and customer references.
What questions should I ask prospective 3PLs?
Key questions include services supported, countries shipped to, IT integration options, contract terms/pricing models, KPI reporting, and opportunities for optimization.
A recent data exposure at a fulfillment vendor affected thousands of ecommerce customers' records. Four questions worth asking about data retention, access controls, breach notification, and subprocessors before you sign with a 3PL.
Apparel fulfillment is harder than standard ecommerce: size-and-color SKU matrices, high return rates, and poly-bag and hang-tag requirements. Here's what changes when you move clothing through a 3PL, what to ask before you sign, and how Simpl runs apparel programs, starting at $7/order.
What does order fulfillment actually cost? This guide breaks down every fee type, from pick-and-pack to receiving, storage, and setup, with real industry ranges and Simpl's flat-rate model as a case study.
