I was reading a thread on r/ecommerce last month. Someone had over 5,000 orders/month and thought they’d got a killer deal from a 3PL—low per‑order fees, good transit promises. But six months in, they were staring at surprise storage fees, weird handling charges, and seasonal surcharges they didn’t even know existed. Their margins had shrunk more than they’d bargained for.
That thread resonated. Because I’ve seen versions of this story again and again — folks comparing 3PL quotes without knowing what to dig into, then getting surprised later. If you’re evaluating providers now, you deserve to walk in with your eyes open.
Here’s a guide to help you decode 3PL pricing. Not just the what, but the why, so you can compare quotes fairly, avoid hidden costs, and pick a partner who grows with you.
Keep reading to come away with:
An understanding of why 3PL pricing varies so much
A breakdown of the real cost drivers in fulfillment
Common pricing models, and how they compare
What hidden fees to watch for (so you aren’t caught off guard)
A checklist of probing questions you should ask any 3PL
Why exact quotes often only come after onboarding—and why that’s OK
How to focus on value, not just lowest cost
Let's do this thing!
I recognize that one of the most frequent complaints about 3PL pricing is the fact it's very rarely publicly shared. In a world where ecommerce SaaS companies regularly tier products into self-serve buckets, I get it.
But the reality is, 3PL pricing isn't broadcast for a reason: Every ecommerce brand has unique needs, and therefore, unique pricing.
At Shipfusion, we don’t use cookie-cutter pricing because no two brands are the same. We run a discovery process that helps us understand everything from your SKU mix to your packaging complexity—so we can build a pricing model that reflects your business, not someone else’s.
After reading more Reddit threads (like “Things to look for in a 3PL”) and talking to folks in founder groups, I realized many people think “cheap per‑order cost” means cheap everything. But reality is messier:
Product type matters: Someone pointed out in a thread that choosing a 3PL that specializes in your type of product (apparel vs bulky items vs liquids) made a big difference in service and cost.
Order volume & consistency: A user noted their 3PL was great for small volume, but when volumes spiked, costs for labor and storage crept way up.
Shipping zones & dimensional weight: Another comment described how they lost money because “dimensional weight” was heavier than actual weight, so shipping costs were higher than expected.
So yes, pricing is bespoke for good reason. Your SKUs, packaging, where customers are, and how returns work all shape what you’ll pay.
Here are the levers every quote will move on. I lifted many of these from what real ecommerce folks are interested in or talking about in different forums and groups.
| Cost Driver | What It Means / Why It Matters | What to Watch Out For |
| Inbound & Receiving |
Costs to receive, unload, inspect, maybe repalletize or break down cases. If your shipments are messy or need extra handling, this increases labor and time. |
Ask: Are there fees for palletizing, unpacking, or barcode labeling? Is there a minimum per inbound? |
| Storage |
Square footage, pallet or bin space; also how long inventory sits. Long‑term storage rates can rise sharply. |
Be clear on the formulas (sq ft, cu ft, pallets, bins). Find the thresholds for “long‑term storage” or overages. |
| Pick & Pack / Order Handling |
Picking individual SKUs, packing, labeling, special packing. Complexity (multi‑item orders, fragile items) pushes up cost. |
Check if there are per‑item fees, minimums, extra fees for odd shapes or weights. |
| Packaging; Branded or Custom Materials |
If you want branded boxes, custom inserts, special wrapping or extra protection, that’s extra. Even if you supply materials, there might be handling fees. |
Ask: Is custom packaging included or extra? What if you supply materials? What are handling fees? |
| Shipping / Carrier Costs & Mark-Ups |
Distance (zones), weight, dim‑weight (volumetric), residential vs commercial, speed of ship. 3PLs often have negotiated rates, but will apply markups or surcharges. |
Understand what shipping rates are passed through, how often they change, how dim weight is calculated. |
| Minimums, Tiered Pricing & Peak Surcharges |
Minimum order volume, seasonal surcharges, difference between “base” and “peak” pricing. If you're not hitting your negotiated minimums, you'll still pay. |
Query whether there's holiday surcharges, minimums for storage, or what "base rates" apply vs. uptime. |
| Returns Handling & Reverse Logistics |
Returns must be processed: inspected, restocked (or discarded), sometimes repackaged. Complexity here often under‑estimated. |
Clarify how returns are handled, what fees apply, timeframes, how much restocking or disposal is charged. |
| Setup / Onboarding / Integration |
Systems integration, connecting APIs/ERPs, testing, designing workflows. Especially with custom tech or workflows, this cost grows. |
Ask for details: Is integration included? Are custom fees separate? What’s included in setup / account services? |
| Account Management & Communication |
Dedicated account management, support channels, and a direct point of contact that represents your brand. Account managers may be limited to higher-tiered service. |
Review what support channels you have access to, and whether your support will be gated based on your plan. |
| Labor, Overhead & Miscellaneous |
Staffing, facility overhead, insurance, damage / shrinkage, utility costs, packaging materials, etc. Some 3PLs load many of their costs into “miscellaneous” or “account fees.” |
Watch out for vague line items like “miscellaneous,” “account fees,” “admin fees.” Probe what they cover. |
Another reason why 3PL pricing usually isn't posted publicly is 3PLs each have their own way of structuring pricing.
There are some pretty common models however. Follow the guide below to choose the one that works best for you.
| Pricing Model | What It Looks LIke | When It Fits Best | What to Watch |
| Per-Order / Activity Based |
You pay for each unit of service: receiving, each pick, each pack, per order shipped, etc. |
Highly flexible. Good if your volume is fluctuating, or you’re trying to optimize variable costs. |
Can be unpredictable. Hard to budget in peak months. Hidden fees ands surcharges can accumulate here unless everything is clearly spelled out. |
| Fixed / Flat Monthly Fee |
A set monthly fee covers baseline services; sometimes up to certain limits (orders, storage). |
Predictable cost, easier for budgeting. Good for stable volume businesses. |
If your volume spikes, you may pay overages. If volume dips, you might be overpaying. Less flexibility. |
| Hybrid |
A mix: base fee + per‐activity charges + surcharges or thresholds. E.g. base storage + per‐order + seasonal surcharge. |
Balances predictability and flexibility. Aligns well with growing brands that have varying volumes. |
More complicated contracts. More things to negotiate. If the base fee is too high, you may still lose leverage. |
| Cost-Plus / Transparent Markups |
The 3PL charges actual cost + a margin or markup. Sometimes pass‑through of freight, packaging, plus clear markup. |
Very transparent if done well. Good when you want visibility. |
Requires trust and strong reporting. Hidden costs may still lurk if cost basis isn’t clearly defined. Less 3PLs may favor this approach, limiting selection. |
Here's where 3PLs sometimes earn a bad rep for unclear or seemingly unfair pricing. The best strategy is to know these are things you should be asking about upfront to ensure you're not hit with surprise charges later.
In general, keep this rule in mind: If something takes time out of an assembly line-like structure, expect there to be a charge for it.
While we've broken down the most common areas for hidden charges above, it's helpful to have a cheat sheet handy when you're meeting with a 3PL for the first time or redlining a contract in the latter stages of a negotiation. If you can't answer these questions before signing on the dotted line, be sure to ask.
What exact fees make up pick, pack, pack material, shipping — including special packaging or inserts?
How do you calculate dimensional weight / oversize? What packaging sizes are assumed vs actual?
What are your storage fee tiers? What counts as “long‑term”? What are the triggers (time, volume)?
What are the surcharges or price bumps in peak months / holiday seasons? How early do they notify?
Are there minimum order volume or storage commitment requirements? What happens if I drop below?
How are returns handled, and what fees or restocking costs apply? What about damaged or non‑resalable items?
What kind of reporting/tech integration comes with the quote (e.g. your software stack, dashboards, real‑time visibility)? Are there fees for that?
How responsive is their support? What’s the escalation path when something goes wrong (mis‑pick, late shipment, quality issue)?
Can you see past invoices or sample full quotes from clients like you? Ask for references.
What hidden or “miscellaneous” charges should I expect (packaging, admin fees, insurance, shrinkage, etc.)?
You might wonder: “If I’m asking good questions, why do many providers still won’t give exact pricing until after onboarding or discovery?” It’s not always shady—it’s often practical.
Every business’s needs are different (product mix, SKUs, packaging, locations). Without getting that data, 3PLs can’t generate truly accurate quotes.
Many hidden costs depend on usage patterns (how fast inventory moves, how many returns, how orders are distributed across zones). These are hard to estimate precisely in advance.
There’s also risk: for the 3PL, underestimating leads to losses. They usually build in buffer or require discovery phase to settle on numbers.
That said, transparency does start during onboarding, and a good partner will give you detailed forecasts, clear SLAs, and real‑time visibility so the surprise fees are minimized. What matters more is how transparent they are once you share your actual business data—that’s the stronger signal than a cheap quote without follow‑through.
At Shipfusion, once you’re onboarded, we offer complete per-order cost visibility through our 360 platform—so you can track spend, identify outliers, and spot cost-saving opportunities without needing a finance degree.
While I've provided a thorough rundown of "watch outs" and questions to ask, you might also want to follow a simple process when evaluating 3PL pricing. With that in mind, here's an actual step-by-step guide to ensure you understand what you're signing up for.
We’ve worked with dozens of fast-growing brands that were burned by vague pricing before coming to us. We help them get clear, predictable fulfillment costs—without sacrificing flexibility or visibility.
Many DTC brands view 3PLs as a cost center, but in reality, it's a critical part of your business strategy. The wrong 3PL can cost you in more ways than one:
And of course, there's the hidden fees we've been talking about in here. Just because you've got a low quote on paper, doesn't mean it'll serve your business in the long-term. Here's a few other clutch considerations you may want to consider.
In short: Look past the pure sticker cost per order. Reliability, communication, tech, and service should all play into your decision. Saving $0.20-$0.50 per order is nothing compared to saving endless headaches from choosing the wrong 3PL.
Never mind the initial pricing exercise of choosing a 3PL. Here's the things that you should really be thinking about in the long run.
Clarity & communication: A 3PL that gives you full breakdowns, responds when issues happen, and lets you see “behind the cost” will save you money, time, and stress.
Service & error rates: One of our sales guys said it best: saving ten cents per order isn’t worth it if you have 1% error rates vs 0.1%. The returns, complaints, and refunds will cost you more.
Scalability: If your orders spike or you add new SKUs, does the 3PL scale without everything falling apart or fees spiking uncontrollably?
Tech & integration: Seamless order flow, inventory visibility, and reporting are often underrated in quotes—but come up in almost every “things to look for” thread. Good tech reduces surprise fees.
Hidden cost awareness: Always include buffer, always test worst‑case scenarios (like returns and peak). The cheapest quote without risk mitigation often ends up costing more.
3PL pricing is bespoke: It depends heavily on your inventory, order volume, packaging needs, shipping zones, returns, and how complex your operations are.
Hidden costs can kill margins: Long‑term storage, peak surcharges, oversize/dim weight fees, miscellaneous admin, returns—all of these show up when you least expect them.
Use models & scenarios: Compare quotes not just for your “normal” month, but for peak / promo / holiday periods. Model what surcharges and overages might look like.
Demand transparency: Ask detailed questions. Get service level agreements, line‑item breakdowns. Don’t settle for vague promises.
Value > lowest sticker price: Predictability, accuracy, tech, speed, service—all of that adds value that you’ll feel in customer satisfaction, returns, and less firefighting.
If you’re sitting on a few 3PL quotes and aren’t sure what’s hiding in the fine print—or you’re just tired of “transparent” pricing that only stays clear until the first invoice—Shipfusion can help.
We’ve built our entire business around helping high-growth ecommerce brands scale with confidence, clarity, and full visibility. From per-order breakdowns to dedicated account management and real-time inventory tracking, our pricing model is built for trust—not traps.
👉 Let’s talk. Book a quick demo or pricing consult and we’ll help you compare your options—no pressure, no pushy sales, just clarity.
→ Book a Demo