Last updated: August 2026. Figures below are typical US industry ranges, not any single company’s rates.
How much does ecommerce fulfillment cost?
Short answer: Ecommerce fulfillment isn’t a single fee — it’s a stack of costs: receiving, storage, pick & pack, shipping, and a monthly minimum. For most DTC brands, pick & pack runs about $2.50–$4.00 for the first item, storage about $20–$40 per pallet per month, and monthly minimums about $250–$500.
The 5 core parts of a 3PL bill
- Receiving — checking your inventory in. Often free when it arrives palletized; loose or carton-by-carton receiving is usually billed hourly (~$25–$45/hour).
- Storage — holding your inventory. Typically ~$20–$40 per pallet per month, or ~$5–$10 per bin for small-item storage.
- Pick & pack — pulling and packing each order. Usually ~$2.50–$4.00 for the first item and ~$0.30–$0.75 for each additional item in the same order.
- Shipping — the parcel itself: carrier cost plus the 3PL’s markup. This is usually the largest and most variable line on your bill.
- Monthly minimum — a floor (~$250–$500+) that keeps your account active regardless of volume.
Typical 3PL cost ranges (2026)
| Cost component | What it covers | Typical US industry range |
|---|---|---|
| Receiving / intake | Checking inventory in | Free (palletized) to ~$25–$45/hour (loose/carton) |
| Storage | Holding inventory | ~$20–$40 per pallet / month; bins ~$5–$10 / month |
| Pick & pack (DTC) | Picking + packing an order | ~$2.50–$4.00 first item; ~$0.30–$0.75 each additional |
| Kitting / assembly | Bundles, subscription boxes | ~$0.50–$3.00 per unit |
| Shipping | The parcel (carrier + markup) | Usually the largest, most variable line |
| Monthly minimum | Account floor | ~$250–$500+ / month |
| FBA prep | Per-unit Amazon prep | ~$0.50–$1.50 per unit |
What most brands underestimate
- Shipping markup. A few cents added to every order compounds into your biggest cost. Always ask whether shipping is passed through at cost or marked up.
- Kitting and add-ons. Bundles, inserts, and subscription-box assembly are usually priced per unit (~$0.50–$3.00) and add up for complex orders.
- Peak-season surcharges. Many 3PLs add a Q4 surcharge (often 10–20%) on prep and handling.
How does location affect cost?
Where your inventory sits changes your shipping bill. Shipo’s Wilmington, Delaware warehouse reaches about 20% of the US population overnight and about 48% within two days — cutting parcel costs and delivery times without splitting inventory across multiple warehouses. Those coverage figures are Shipo’s own estimates, derived from ground transit bands out of Wilmington, DE and U.S. Census population data (341.8M, July 2025). They are not carrier-published figures.
What about Amazon FBA prep pricing?
Third-party Amazon FBA prep typically costs about $0.50–$1.50 per unit all-in, with most mid-market providers around $1.00–$1.30 per unit, plus add-ons and forwarding. Since Amazon ended in-house FBA prep in January 2026, every FBA unit now requires third-party prep.
Shipo is listed in the Amazon Service Provider Network under the category "FBA Prep & Packaging", and preps and forwards FBA units from its own 55,000 sq ft, FDA-registered warehouse in Wilmington, Delaware. That is a directory listing, not an Amazon endorsement, approval or partnership. Shipo quotes prep per account based on volume and prep type: Accounts run on a $395 monthly minimum, and the amount is the same for DTC fulfillment and Amazon FBA prep.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a 3PL cost per month?
For a growing DTC brand, all-in 3PL cost commonly lands between a few hundred and several thousand dollars per month depending on order volume, storage footprint, and shipping. Monthly minimums typically start around $250–$500.
Is there a setup fee?
It varies — some 3PLs charge onboarding fees, others waive them. Ask whether setup and SKU onboarding are free.
Do I need a long-term contract?
Not always. Some providers require annual commitments; others let you start month-to-month or with a single pilot shipment to test the fit.
How does Shipo price?
Shipo quotes custom rates based on your monthly volume and services, from a Delaware location (0% state sales tax, fast East Coast delivery). Request a quote →