One of the most common questions we get from Amazon sellers and e-commerce brands is: "Am I paying too much for my 3PL?" The answer is almost always: "It depends — but here's how to find out."
3PL pricing is notoriously opaque. Some providers bundle everything into a monthly fee. Others charge à la carte but sneak in hidden surcharges. This guide breaks down every cost category you'll encounter so you can evaluate any quote with confidence.
The 6 Core Cost Categories
1. Receiving Fee
Charged when your inventory arrives at the warehouse. Can be priced per pallet, per carton, or per unit. This covers unloading, counting, and logging your inventory into the WMS.
| Pricing Model | Typical Range | Watch Out For |
|---|---|---|
| Per pallet | $8–$25/pallet | Minimums per shipment |
| Per carton | $1–$3/carton | Fees for over-sized cartons |
| Per unit | $0.10–$0.25/unit | Better for small shipments |
2. Storage Fee
Monthly charge for keeping your inventory in the warehouse. Priced per pallet, per bin/shelf, or per cubic foot. This is where costs can compound quickly if your inventory sits.
| Pricing Model | Typical Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Per pallet/month | $15–$40/pallet | Most common for B2B |
| Per cubic foot/month | $0.50–$1.50/cu ft | Better for mixed SKUs |
| Per bin/shelf | $5–$20/bin | Common for small items |
✅ FR-Logistics tip: We offer the first month of storage free for new clients. This gives you time to move inventory before storage costs begin.
3. Pick & Pack Fee
Charged per order fulfilled. Covers pulling items from shelves, packing into shipping boxes, and labeling. This is typically your highest variable cost for DTC/Shopify fulfillment.
| Order Type | Typical Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Single-item order | $2.00–$3.50 | Base pick & pack |
| Per additional item | $0.25–$0.75 | Each SKU beyond first |
| Packaging materials | $0.50–$2.00 | Boxes, tape, dunnage |
4. FBA Prep Fees
Specific to Amazon FBA prep work. Charged per unit or per service performed.
| Service | Typical Range |
|---|---|
| FNSKU labeling | $0.10–$0.25/unit |
| Poly-bagging | $0.20–$0.50/unit |
| Bubble wrap | $0.30–$0.75/unit |
| Carton labeling | $1–$3/carton |
| Pallet building | $15–$35/pallet |
5. Outbound Shipping
The cost to ship from the 3PL to Amazon or your customers. This is usually passed through at cost (what the carrier charges) plus a small handling fee. A good 3PL will have negotiated carrier rates that are lower than what you'd get on your own.
6. Account / Setup Fees
Some 3PLs charge monthly account fees ($50–$300/month) regardless of your volume. Others charge a one-time setup fee. At FR-Logistics, we charge neither — you pay per service, full stop.
Hidden Fees to Watch For
🚩 These are the charges that inflate your 3PL bill without you realizing it. Ask about every single one before signing.
- Minimum monthly fees — you pay even if you ship zero orders
- Long-term storage surcharges — extra fees after 90 or 180 days
- Returns processing fees — per unit received back, inspection, and restock
- Account management fees — for having a dedicated rep
- Carrier surcharges pass-through — fuel, residential, dimensional weight
- Inventory discrepancy fees — if their count doesn't match yours (should be their cost, not yours)
- Special project fees — vague catch-all for anything not on the rate card
How to Compare 3PL Quotes Fairly
When evaluating quotes, build a simple monthly cost model using your actual numbers:
- Average units received per month
- Average units stored at any given time
- Average orders shipped per month
- Average items per order
Plug these numbers into each provider's rate card to get a true monthly cost comparison. Don't compare headline rates — compare total monthly cost at your actual volume.
📊 Example: A 3PL charging $0.15/unit receiving + $25/pallet storage + $2.50 pick & pack may be cheaper than one charging $0.10 + $20 + $3.00, depending on your order profile.
Get a transparent quote with zero hidden fees.
Send us your monthly volume numbers and we'll build you a line-item cost estimate — no fluff, no monthly fees, no surprises.
💬 Request a Cost Breakdown