A 2024 survey by Retail TouchPoints revealed that 72% of U.S. shoppers abandon their carts because of slow or expensive shipping. Meanwhile, ecommerce sellers are dealing with higher warehouse costs, tighter delivery timelines, and increasing pressure to keep up with platforms like Amazon, Walmart, and TikTok Shop — all offering faster, cheaper shipping.
If you're struggling to keep up with growth, a third-party logistics partner (3PL) can help. But how do you know if you're ready?
What Is a 3PL?
A third-party logistics provider (3PL) handles the physical side of ecommerce: storing inventory, picking and packing orders, shipping, and even managing returns.
By handing off logistics to a 3PL, ecommerce brands can:
- Reduce operational complexity
- Scale without hiring warehouse staff
- Improve shipping speed and accuracy
- Save money through courier discounts
- Focus on sales, product, and growth instead of shipping labels
But a 3PL is not for everyone. Timing matters.
3PL Readiness Checklist
Use this checklist to assess whether you’re ready to outsource fulfillment. The more boxes you check, the more value a 3PL can bring to your business.
Order Fulfillment
☐ I’m shipping more than 500 orders per month
☐ My order volume is growing and becoming harder to manage
☐ Fulfillment is taking up too much of my time or my team’s time
☐ Order mistakes, delays, or complaints are happening more often
Shipping and Costs
☐ Shipping is one of my biggest operating expenses
☐ My customers are unhappy with shipping speed or cost
☐ I want access to better courier rates or shipping options
Growth and Expansion
☐ I’m expanding into new regions (U.S., EU, Asia)
☐ I want to compete with faster delivery options from bigger brands
☐ I’m launching on Amazon, TikTok Shop, or Walmart and need fulfillment support
Returns and Customer Experience
☐ Handling returns is becoming time-consuming
☐ I receive frequent support tickets for delivery delays or tracking issues
☐ I want to improve the post-purchase experience (tracking, returns, support)
Operational Readiness
☐ My SKUs are organized and consistent across sales channels
☐ I use standardized packaging or can easily switch
☐ My ecommerce platform (Shopify, Amazon, etc.) can integrate with fulfillment software
If you checked 6 or more boxes, it’s a strong sign your brand is ready to partner with a 3PL and unlock faster, more scalable logistics.
Benefits of Using a 3PL
Outsourcing fulfillment isn’t just about reducing workload — it’s about building a stronger operational foundation for growth. Here’s what a reliable 3PL can help you achieve.
1. Scale Without Hiring or Leasing
You don’t need to lease a warehouse, hire packers, or manage shipping stations. A 3PL already has the infrastructure and staff in place to handle your volume. Whether you ship 500 orders a month or 20,000, they’ll scale with you.
2. Lower Shipping and Fulfillment Costs
3PLs negotiate better courier rates through bulk volume. They also consolidate inventory and orders across multiple clients, helping you reduce costs on shipping, packaging, and storage.
3. Faster Shipping to More Locations
With strategically placed warehouses — like Lansil Global’s fulfillment centers in Pennsylvania and Nevada — you can offer 2 to 4-day U.S. shipping coast to coast. For global orders, our China hub ships directly to 200+ countries through partners like 4PX and YunExpress.
4. Better Returns and Customer Experience
Returns, reships, and tracking issues are frustrating to handle manually. A 3PL streamlines these tasks, helping you offer a more seamless post-purchase experience with less customer support workload.
5. Real-Time Visibility
Most 3PLs offer software that integrates directly with your ecommerce store. This lets you track inventory, view order status, and manage SKUs in real time — without needing a full ops team.
How to Choose the Right 3PL Partner
Not all 3PLs offer the same level of service or tech. Here’s how to evaluate potential partners and avoid common mistakes.
1. Ecommerce Experience Matters
Choose a 3PL that specializes in ecommerce, not just freight forwarding or B2B logistics. They’ll be more familiar with SKU management, multichannel integration, custom packaging, and fast-paced fulfillment needs.
2. Software Integration Is Key
Make sure your 3PL can integrate with your ecommerce platform. Shopify, Amazon, WooCommerce, and other systems should sync automatically with their warehouse management system (WMS) to avoid manual order handling.
3. Ask About Fulfillment Speed
What’s their order cut-off time for same-day shipping? What are their average pick/pack times? How do they handle urgent or high-volume days? These are critical to your customer experience.
4. Warehouse Locations Should Match Your Market
If your customers are mostly in the U.S., having fulfillment centers in both the East and West Coasts will reduce delivery times and shipping costs. If you ship globally, ensure your 3PL offers international consolidation and customs support.
Lansil Global, for example, offers:
- U.S. warehouses in Nevada and Pennsylvania
- A China hub for sourcing, storage, and international fulfillment
- Seamless FBA prep, bundling, and branded packaging services
5. Understand the Pricing Structure
- Ask for a detailed breakdown of:
- Pick and pack fees
- Storage rates (per pallet, SKU, or bin)
- Receiving and handling charges
- Returns processing fees
- Account setup or integration costs
- Transparent pricing helps you forecast accurately and avoid hidden fees.
6. Test Before You Commit
Start with a small number of SKUs or orders. Monitor their communication, error rate, shipping performance, and tech dashboard. A trial run is the best way to evaluate real-world performance.
Preparing for the Switch
Getting ready to move to a new 3PL is all about keeping things simple and smooth. Start by tidying up your inventory: make sure product names, barcodes, and details are accurate, and keep labels clear to avoid mistakes. If you use custom packaging, check that it’s practical for shipping and handling, and avoid oversized or awkward boxes unless necessary.
Share your sales estimates with the 3PL so they know what stock to expect and can plan space and staff. Finally, connect your store to their system so orders, inventory updates, and shipping info flow automatically without delays or extra work.
As your eCommerce brand grows, fulfillment can either help you scale or hold you back. Choosing the right logistics partner isn’t just about handing off shipping—it’s about creating a foundation that supports faster delivery, smoother operations, and a better customer experience. It’s not only about location or price; the right 3PL should align with your goals, adjust as your needs change, and make fulfillment easier, not harder.
If you’re handling more than 500 orders a month or planning your next growth move, it might be time to pass fulfillment to a team built for it.
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