Choose a 3PL by comparing its true cost per order, its proof of performance, its fit with your products and channels, and the terms you are signing up to. Ask for an itemised quote, real dispatch figures, reviews from existing clients and a clear contract. A visit to the warehouse tells you more than any brochure.
Moving your stock to a third-party logistics provider is a big decision. Pick the right one and you get your time back; pick the wrong one and you spend it chasing late orders and surprise invoices. These are the questions UK sellers should ask before signing.
Signs you are ready for a 3PL
- Packing orders takes more of your time than sourcing, marketing or selling.
- You are running out of space at home or in your unit.
- Peaks like Christmas or a viral product leave you behind on dispatch.
- You sell on several channels and keeping stock in sync is getting harder.
- You need Amazon FBA or TikTok Shop prep and do not have the space or staff to do it.
12 questions to ask a 3PL before you sign
Cost and terms
- Can I have an itemised quote? You should see goods-in, storage, pick and pack, packaging and postage as separate lines. Our UK fulfilment cost guide explains each one.
- Is there a monthly minimum or setup fee? Know the floor you will pay in quiet months.
- How long is the contract, and what does it cost to leave? Check the notice period and any fee for removing your stock.
- How is storage measured? Per pallet, shelf, bin or cubic metre makes a big difference for small or bulky products.
Performance and proof
- What percentage of orders do you ship the same day? Ask for a real figure from their system, not a slogan.
- How do you check orders before dispatch? Ask how errors are caught and what happens when one slips through.
- Can I read reviews from current clients? Independent reviews, such as on Google, are worth more than testimonials on their own website.
- Can I visit the warehouse? A tidy, organised floor and a team who can answer questions are good signs.
Fit with your business
- Do you connect with my sales channels? Check Shopify, WooCommerce, Amazon, eBay and TikTok Shop, whichever you use.
- Can you handle my products? Fragile, heavy, bulky and expiry-dated items all need the right processes.
- Which carriers do you use? A choice of carriers lets each parcel go with a suitable service.
- Do you offer marketplace prep and returns? Amazon FBA prep, TikTok Shop prep and returns processing save you finding extra providers.
Red flags to watch for
- No itemised quote, or prices that change once you are signed up.
- Guarantees that sound too good to be true, such as 100% accuracy with no explanation of how it is measured.
- Long contracts with high exit fees and no trial period.
- No independent reviews and no way to visit the warehouse.
- Vague answers about dispatch times or who you will speak to when something goes wrong.
How to compare quotes
Put each quote into the same model, using your real numbers: orders per month, items per order, pallets in storage and units received. Divide the total monthly bill by your order count to get the true cost per order. The lowest pick fee does not always mean the lowest bill.
What onboarding usually looks like
- Agree pricing and service details.
- Connect your sales channels so orders flow to the warehouse.
- Send your first delivery of stock, which is checked in and recorded.
- Run a few test orders before switching over fully.
- Review the first month’s performance and invoices together.
How Pro Packers UK answers these questions
We are a 3PL with a 35,000 sq ft warehouse in Colne, Lancashire. Clients deliver stock to us, and every delivery is checked in and recorded in our warehouse management system, including expiry dates. 92% of our orders are shipped the same day, every order is checked before dispatch, and we ship with Evri, DPD, FedEx and DX. Our clients rate us 5.0 on Google, and you are welcome to visit. We also prep stock for Amazon FBA and TikTok Shop, and every client gets an itemised quote.
Frequently asked questions
When should I switch to a 3PL?
When packing orders takes time away from growing the business, when you run out of space, or when peaks leave you behind on dispatch. Many sellers switch once orders become a daily routine they cannot keep up with.
How much does a 3PL cost in the UK?
Published 2026 benchmarks put pick and pack at roughly £0.45 to £2.60 per order, with storage, packaging and postage on top. See our UK fulfilment cost guide for a worked example.
Should I choose a local 3PL?
Being close makes it easier to deliver stock and visit the warehouse, but the most important factors are reliability, fit with your products and fair terms. Clients across the UK use 3PLs outside their own area.
What should a 3PL contract include?
Itemised pricing, the contract length and notice period, how storage is measured, any minimum spend, service standards, and what happens to your stock if you leave.
Can a 3PL handle Amazon and TikTok Shop?
Many can. Check whether they prep stock for Amazon FBA and Fulfilled by TikTok, and whether they can fulfil FBM and TikTok Shop orders directly.
Next steps
Ready to compare? Request a quote from us with your monthly volumes, or read our fulfilment FAQs. You may also like FBA vs FBM for UK sellers.
