To give you a clearer picture of what to expect, here’s a summary of the typical pricing, fees, and rates you might encounter when searching for order fulfillment services as a small business owner.
This mock proposal reflects the typical quote from fulfillment companies, including average costs from our latest warehouse survey, updated in May 2024.
| Service | Service Definition | Service Costs |
|---|---|---|
| Set Up Fees | Charges for onboarding and system integration. | Per Account: $425 (Range: $0 to thousands) |
| Receiving Fees | Fees for processing and handling inbound inventory. | Per Hour / Per Container: $45.67/hour (Range: $425-$500) |
| Storage & Warehouse Fees | Costs for storing goods in the warehouse. | Per Pallet: $20.17 per pallet (Alternate methods: $0.4625/cubic ft, $3.08 per bin) |
| Amazon Fees | Fees for labeling, preparing, and storing products to meet Amazon's FBA requirements. | Per Unit / Per Label: $0.37 per label (Range: N/A) |
| Fulfillment Fees (Pick and Pack) | Charges for picking items from inventory and packaging them for shipping. Either structured as a per order fee or a per order fee plus a per item fee. | Per Order: $3.25 per single item order (Range: $2.50-$4.79) |
| Inbound Shipping Fees | Cost of sending products from suppliers to the fulfillment center. | Per Shipment: Discounted off carrier rates (Varies by carrier) |
| Outbound Shipping Fees | Cost to send products from the warehouse to customers. | Per Shipment: Markup over cost (Range: 14.60%-16.20% markup; 30-55% discount off rates) |
| Box Fees | Charges for packaging materials used to prepare orders. | Per Box: $1.19 per box (Range: $0.50-$1.50) |
| Order Inserts | Fees for adding promotional inserts or special labeling to orders. | Per Insert / Per Label: $0.17 per insert (Range: $0.05 per label) |
| Return Fees | Costs for handling returned items, including inspection and restocking. | Per Return: $4.06 per return (Range: $3.50 + $0.56 per item) |
| Kitting Fees (I.e. Subscription Boxes) | Fees for assembling multiple products into a single package. | Per Hour / Per Unit: $43.30/hour (Range: $0.25-$0.65 per unit) |
| Account Management Fees | Charges for ongoing account management and customer service support. | Per Month: $102.88 (Range: $30-$500) |
| Call Center Services Fees | Costs for providing inbound customer service via the 3PL's call center. | Per Minute: $1.29 per minute (Range: N/A) |
Finding the right order fulfillment partner is a two-way evaluation. While you’re assessing them, they’re also screening you. Follow these steps to navigate the process independently, including key considerations, what to look for, and how to present your business effectively. Or, if you’re ready to simplify the search, you can work with us directly. Complete a brief form to get connected with our expert-vetted providers.
Our network is built on honest reviews and feedback collected since 2005, making us the only unbiased source for fulfillment matchmaking. Fill out our form or call us to find your best matches.
Many fulfillment companies avoid working with startups due to the high risks and challenges involved. We’ve found that an average of 47% of all fulfillment companies offer NO monthly minimums and work with startups and small businesses, whereas 53% charge monthly minimums and choose not to do business with smaller clients.
Don’t rely on search rankings alone—many top listings are paid placements, not the best options. Our curated network, built on unbiased reviews since 2005, connects you with reliable warehouse services. Fill out our form or call us to get your tailored matches today.
Choosing a fulfillment location depends on your inventory source and where your customers are concentrated. If your inventory is imported, opt for fulfillment centers near major ports like Los Angeles or New Jersey to reduce inbound shipping times and costs. For domestically produced goods, selecting a warehouse close to your primary customer base or a centrally located facility can minimize shipping expenses and enable faster delivery.
Multiple fulfillment centers can reduce shipping costs and speed up delivery times by positioning inventory closer to customers. This is useful if you serve a nationwide audience. Managing multiple warehouses requires more advanced logistics coordination and an abundance of order volume to justify additional costs. Starting with a single, strategically placed fulfillment center might be more manageable for small businesses until order volumes grow enough to benefit from a multi-warehouse strategy.
Fulfillment companies often set minimums like 200 orders per month, $500 in monthly spend, minimum pallet storage, and long-term commitments, making them less suitable for startups with low volume or short-term needs. Complete a brief form to connect with our small business-friendly providers.
Yes, there are fulfillment companies designed specifically for startups and growing businesses. These providers offer flexible terms and cost-effective services tailored to smaller volume shippers. They’ve built specialized systems, processes, and technology that allow them to aggregate smaller clients, collectively achieving high shipping volumes similar to larger-scale operations.
Absolutely! Some niche fulfillment centers and emerging providers specialize in working with “super” small e-commerce businesses, offering solutions that are less common and can be harder to find. Partner with a small business like ours to connect with expert-vetted providers who get what it means to have big aspirations.
If shipping takes your time away from core activities like sales or marketing, 3PL is worth considering. For example, a business owner handling shipping personally may struggle to find time for growth-focused tasks. Outsourcing to a 3PL can help reclaim that time.
Reach out when your products are ordered, arrival dates are set, and your website is live. This shows fulfillment companies that you’re ready to do business, making them more likely to offer competitive quotes. Work with us to connect with providers who are more inclined to support small businesses like yours.
Your contact information is held in the strictest of confidence. We will contact you before we connect you with vendors so that we can learn about your situation, obtain any of your contact preferences, and answer any of your questions.
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