3PL Pricing Explained: Receiving, Storage, Pick and Pack, and Other Fees
A 3PL invoice can have a dozen lines, and each one is priced a different way. This guide is for ecommerce brands and importers who are comparing quotes. You get a plain-English list of every common fee, the benchmark ranges that published sources report, and a way to compare quotes fairly.
The short version
Most 3PL bills come from five places: receiving, storage, pick and pack, shipping and a set of fixed monthly or one-time fees. A low price on one line often hides a high price on another. The only fair way to compare is to price the same month of orders from every provider.
The ranges below come from published guides and vendor rate cards. They are benchmarks, not quotes. Real prices depend on your product size, volume and service level, and they change often.
Every common 3PL fee, line by line
| Fee | What it pays for | How it is usually charged | Benchmark range in published guides |
|---|---|---|---|
| Onboarding or setup | Account setup, system integration, SKU loading | One time | About $150 to $1,500 |
| Receiving | Unloading, counting and checking inbound goods, then putting them away | Per pallet, per carton, per unit or per labor hour | About $5 to $15 per pallet, or $30 to $60 per labor hour |
| Storage | Space for your inventory | Per pallet, per bin or per cubic foot, per month | Pallets often cited at $15 to $40 per month |
| Pick and pack | Finding the item, packing it and labeling the box | Per order, plus a smaller fee for each added item | First item about $1 to $3, added items about $0.30 to $0.75 |
| Packaging | Boxes, mailers, tape, void fill | At cost, or per order | Varies with the materials |
| Shipping | Carrier charges | Per package, by weight, size and zone | Set by the carrier |
| Returns | Receiving, inspecting and restocking returned goods | Per return | Varies with the inspection needed |
| Account and technology fees | Account management, software, integrations | Monthly | Varies widely by provider |
| Special projects | Kitting, relabeling, inserts, rework | Per unit or per labor hour | Quoted per project |
Sources disagree most on pick and pack, because some providers charge a flat fee and others use tiers. Always ask which model you are being quoted.
What each line really means
Receiving
Receiving starts when your freight reaches the dock. The team counts it against your packing list, checks for damage and puts it into storage so it can be picked. Ask what is included in the fee. Some providers charge extra for mixed pallets, unlabeled cartons or floor-loaded freight. Good prep on your side keeps this line low.
Storage
Pallet storage is billed monthly, often by the number of pallet positions used. Some providers charge by the day or by the week. Ask how a partial pallet is counted and whether there is a minimum. Our guide to what drives pallet storage cost in Los Angeles goes deeper.
Pick and pack
This is the labor of filling each order. It usually has a base fee for the first item and a lower fee for each item after that. Business orders to retailers cost more per order than single parcels, because they often need cartons, labels and routing rules. See how ecommerce fulfillment works from receiving to shipping.
Shipping
Shipping is usually the largest cost per order, and it is mostly set by carriers, not by the 3PL. Compare the carrier rates and any markup separately from the warehouse fees. Ask whether you can use your own carrier accounts.
Returns
A return is handled in steps: receive it, inspect it, then restock, repair or dispose of it. Ask whether the fee covers all of those steps. Read how returns processing usually works.
Fixed fees and minimums
Some providers charge a monthly account fee, a software fee or a minimum monthly spend. These matter most for small brands. A cheap per-order rate with a high minimum can cost more than a higher rate with no minimum.
Special projects and surcharges
Work outside the standard flow is priced separately. This includes kitting and labeling, inserts, rework and rush handling. Ask about peak-season surcharges too, because they can change the bill in your busiest weeks.
Why the quote is not the invoice
One published analysis puts a 3PL’s all-in cost at roughly $4.50 to $7.40 per order before shipping. The same source says that receiving, storage, returns, packaging, minimums and surcharges can push real invoices 20% to 50% above the quoted rate. Treat these as industry figures, not as promises. The point is that a headline rate rarely tells the whole story.
How to compare 3PL quotes fairly
- Send every provider the same data: orders per month, SKU count, units per order, carton and pallet sizes, and your peak month
- Ask for a sample invoice, not just a rate card
- Ask for the full list of fees, including setup, minimums, account fees and surcharges
- Model one typical month and one peak month for each quote
- Check how each fee is counted: per pallet, per unit, per order or per hour
- Confirm the contract term, notice period and any price increase clause
- Ask what is not included, and what costs extra
Where location changes the cost
Where the warehouse sits changes inbound freight cost and transit time to your customers. For importers, a location close to the ports can shorten the trip from the terminal. Our Vernon, CA warehouse is about 20 miles from the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach. Learn more about 3PL services in Los Angeles.
FAQs
What is a normal 3PL pricing model?
Most 3PLs charge by activity: a fee for receiving, a monthly fee for storage, a fee per order and per item for pick and pack, plus carrier costs. Some add monthly account fees or minimums.
What hidden fees should I look for?
Ask about onboarding, minimum monthly charges, account and software fees, peak-season surcharges, special handling and charges for mixed or unlabeled pallets.
How much should I budget beyond the quoted rate?
One published analysis suggests invoices can run 20% to 50% above the quoted rate once all fees are counted. Ask for a sample invoice to see your own number.
Is the cheapest 3PL the best choice?
Not always. Late shipments, picking errors and unclear billing can cost more than a small saving on one line. Compare total cost, accuracy and service levels together.
Want a quote you can compare?
Send us your order volume, SKU count and pallet details, and we will explain each line. Start at our fulfillment page.