By Ibrar Ahmad, founder of PickFlow Logistics · Updated [date]
What does 3PL mean?
3PL stands for third-party logistics. It means handing the physical side of your online shop (storing stock, packing orders and handling returns) to a specialist company, so you can focus on selling.
What does a 3PL do?
A typical ecommerce 3PL like PickFlow will:
- Receive your stock and store it in a warehouse
- Pick and pack each order as it comes in
- Label orders and have them ready for the courier
- Handle returns
- Show you your stock levels online
How much does a 3PL cost in the UK?
Most UK 3PLs charge for storage (often per pallet or per cubic metre), a pick and pack fee per order or unit, and small extras for packaging. At PickFlow, storage is £17.45 per CBM per month and pick and pack is £0.67 per unit, with no VAT added. See our full pricing.
When should you use a 3PL?
A 3PL usually makes sense when packing orders takes more of your time than growing your business, when stock no longer fits at home, or when you want faster, more reliable dispatch. Read signs you have outgrown packing at home.
Ready to hand over fulfilment?
First month of storage free. No contracts.