3PL Hub guides

Guides to choosing, pricing and running 3PL fulfillment

Eighteen free guides for eCommerce brands and 3PL operators, written from 300+ fulfillment RFPs and 145 real 3PL bids. Start with the selection series if you are choosing a 3PL, or jump to the topic you need.

Start with How to Choose a 3PL Get matched to 3PLs

18guides
300+fulfillment RFPs behind them
145real 3PL bids in the pricing data
Freeno signup, no paywall

Start here

Start with these three

They cover the decision, the process and the numbers. Everything else builds on them.

Decision frameworkHow to Choose a 3PLAn 8-step, 30 to 45 day selection process: operational profile, shortlist, structured RFP, quote comparison, reference calls, negotiation and a parallel-run onboarding.8 steps13 min read
Guide + templateHow to Run a 3PL RFPThe 8-stage blind-bid process 3PL Hub runs for brands: the pack, 5 to 8 bidders, one bid sheet, courier and dim weight normalization, scoring and contract terms. Free Excel bid sheet.8 stages14 min readExcel template
Benchmarks3PL Pricing and Rates 2026Median order fee, unit pick, storage, receiving and courier by monthly order volume, from 145 real RFP bids. Cost per order with and without courier.145 bidsUpdated 2026

The selection series

From first shortlist to first invoice, in order

Six guides that follow the same process 3PL Hub runs for brands. Read them in sequence or pick up where you are.

How to Choose a 3PLThe whole process end to end, with benchmarks and red flags at each step.
How to Run a 3PL RFPThe pack, the bidders, the blind process and the bid sheet template.
How to Compare 3PL QuotesFix volumes, restate every bid on one sheet, rate real parcels, rank on cost per order.
3PL Pricing and RatesWhat the bids should look like. Medians by volume band from 145 real quotes.
How to Negotiate 3PL RatesWhich lines move, which do not, and the structural asks worth more than a rate cut.
Why Costs Go Up After SwitchingSurcharges, dim weight, storage on receipt and the first-invoice audit checklist.

Decide

Should you outsource at all?

What a 3PL does, what it costs, and the break-even math for each fulfillment model.

What Is a 3PL?What third-party logistics providers do, how 3PL pricing works, and when outsourcing fulfillment makes sense.
The Complete eCommerce Fulfillment GuideFulfillment models, cost breakdown, integrations, red flags and how the pieces fit together.
In-House vs 3PLFind your breakeven volume. Real cost benchmarks for space, pickers and running your own ops vs paying by the order.
Dropshipping vs 3PLWhen dropship makes sense (low AOV, broad SKU, untested demand) and when a 3PL wins on margin, brand control and delivery speed.
FBA vs 3PLAmazon FBA against a multi-channel 3PL. How storage, pick-pack and long-term fees compare, and when to use both.
CalculatorIn-house vs 3PL calculatorPut your own volumes in and get the break-even point before you read any further.

Operations and compliance

What a warehouse has to get right

EDI codes, certifications, food safety and the services that show up on every 3PL rate card.

The Guide to EDIEvery EDI code your retailer might send. 850, 856, 810, 997 and 11 more, in plain English with who-sends-what examples.
3PL CertificationsISO, SQF, SOC, GMP, GSA and the rest. Which certifications matter for which products and what each one proves.
Food Grade WarehousesWhat makes a warehouse food grade, which certifications matter (FDA registration, SQF, AIB, cGMP, organic) and what it costs.
Pick and Pack ServicesWhat pick and pack costs per order in 2026, and how batch, zone and wave picking change accuracy and speed.
Kitting and Assembly ServicesWhat kitting costs per kit, when to pre-kit versus kit to order, and how 3PLs price assembly work.
ReferenceLogistics glossaryPlain definitions for every term the guides use, from accessorials to zone skipping.

The market

Who the 3PLs are and where they are

Ranked lists and regional coverage, backed by the 5,000+ 3PLs in the directory.

The Best 3PL Companies of 20265,400+ third-party logistics companies compared and ranked by size, channel, vertical and region.
East Coast Fulfillment Centers3PLs in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, New York, Georgia, Florida and the Carolinas, and when a single East Coast node is enough.
DirectorySearch 5,000+ 3PLsFilter by location, channel, vertical, tech stack and volume. Free, no signup.

Data and tools

Check the numbers as you read

The 3PL Pricing Report2,100 real quotes from 308 RFPs, 2023 to 2026. Where the margin went.
3PL Rate CheckerSee how your current rates compare to real bids at your volume.
Dimensional Weight CalculatorBillable weight for UPS, FedEx and USPS before you rate a parcel.
Pallet OptimizerCartons per pallet and pallets per container for receiving and storage quotes.
USPS Zones by Zip CodeZone lookups for modeling a month of real parcels.
All free toolsFreight density, fuel surcharges, de minimis and more.

Want it run for you?

3PL Hub runs the RFP for brands that want it done end to end

Structured RFP, bids modeled line by line, SLAs and contract terms compared, and a recommendation you can defend. Commission-free, and sometimes the answer is to stay where you are.

Book a call Get matched to 3PLs

Guides to choosing, pricing and running 3PL fulfillment

Start with these three

From first shortlist to first invoice, in order

Should you outsource at all?

What a warehouse has to get right

Who the 3PLs are and where they are

Check the numbers as you read

3PL Hub runs the RFP for brands that want it done end to end

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