If you’ve ever tried to get a straight answer on what 3PL actually costs, you’ll know it’s not always easy. Most providers won’t publish a price list. You fill in a contact form, wait for a call, and hope the numbers make sense when they eventually land in your inbox. 

There’s a reason for that. 3PL pricing is genuinely variable. It depends on your order volumes, product size and weight, storage requirements, and which carriers your provider uses. But that doesn’t mean you have to go in blind. Here’s a breakdown of the main cost areas so you know what to expect before you start talking to anyone. 

What Are the Storage Costs?

This is usually charged in one of two ways: per pallet or per shelf/bay. Pallet storage in the UK typically runs anywhere from £8 to £20 per pallet, per week, depending on location and the provider's setup. Shelf-based storage is common for smaller or lighter products and is usually charged per shelf or cubic metre. 

Some providers charge a minimum monthly storage fee regardless of how much stock you hold, so it's worth asking about that upfront. If your stock levels fluctuate a lot (seasonal brands, this is you), make sure you understand how the charging works when you're holding very little. 

The other thing to watch: goods-in fees. When your stock arrives at the warehouse, many providers charge a fee to receive and book it in. This might be per pallet, per carton, or per unit. It sounds minor, but if you're sending large inbound shipments regularly, it adds up. 

What Are Pick and Pack Costs? 

This is usually where most of the per-order cost sits. Pick and pack pricing typically works on a base pick fee per order, plus a per-item fee for each additional unit in that order. 

As a rough benchmark, expect to pay somewhere in the region of £1.50 to £3.50 for a standard single-item order, with per-item fees on top ranging from 15p to 50p per additional unit. That varies quite a bit depending on the complexity of the order, any custom packaging requirements, or whether kitting is involved. 

If your orders tend to be multi-item or require any kind of assembly, gift wrapping, or branded packaging inserts, factor that in. These are usually charged as additional line items, not bundled into a standard pick fee. 

What Are the Shipping and Carrier Costs?

A good 3PL will give you access to negotiated carrier rates that you almost certainly couldn't get on your own as a smaller brand. That's one of the genuine financial benefits of outsourcing; their volume buys better rates across Royal Mail, DPD, Evri, FedEx and others. 

What you'll actually pay depends on parcel weight, dimensions, destination, and service level. Most providers will give you a carrier rate card as part of their proposal. The thing to check is whether the rates shown are passed through to you at cost, or whether the provider adds a margin on top. Both models exist; neither is wrong, but you want to know which one you're dealing with. 

International shipping adds another layer. If you're selling into Europe or further afield, ask specifically about how that's priced and whether DDP (Delivered Duty Paid) options are available. Surprise customs bills landing on your customers' doorsteps are not a great brand experience. 

What Are the Account Setup Costs and Minimum Fees?

Some providers charge a one-off onboarding or account setup fee. Others don't. It's rarely more than a few hundred pounds, but worth factoring in if you're comparing options. 

Minimum monthly spend is more common than people realise. If your volumes are low or you're just starting out, check whether there's a minimum charge that applies even in quiet months. For a growing brand with consistent volume this usually isn't an issue. For a brand that's seasonal or still building, it might be. 

What Are the Hidden Charges Worth Asking About?

A few areas that don't always make it into the headline pricing: 

In-House or Outsourced Fulfilment? The Real Comparison 

The temptation when looking at 3PL pricing is to compare it directly against what you're currently spending on postage and packaging. That's not quite the right comparison. 

The real cost of in-house fulfilment includes: staff time (picking, packing, dealing with carriers), the cost and time of managing that staff, warehouse space, packaging materials, returns handling, and the opportunity cost of your own time or your team's time spent on logistics rather than growth. 

When you look at it that way, 3PL pricing starts to look a lot more reasonable for most brands at a certain volume. As a rough guide, most ecommerce brands find that outsourcing to a 3PL starts to make financial sense somewhere around 100 to 200 orders per month, though that depends heavily on the type of product and your current setup. 

If you want to get a clearer picture of what 3PL fulfilment would actually cost for your business, get in touch with the InterSend team for a straightforward conversation and a tailored quote. 

Read more: Complete Guide to 3PL Fulfilment for UK eCommerce Brands