How much does a 3PL charge per order?

Standard pick and pack fulfillment typically costs $3–$5.50 per ecommerce order. All-in per-order cost — including storage, receiving, and account fees — usually lands between $4.25–$8.50.

How much does 3PL pallet storage cost per month?

Monthly storage for a standard pallet position typically costs $8–$25. Small-item storage billed by volume runs about $0.43–$0.78 per cubic foot per month.

Do 3PLs charge setup fees?

About half of 3PL warehouses charge a one-time onboarding or integration fee, averaging $333–$425.

Cost Guide

How Much Does a 3PL Cost in 2026?

Outsourced fulfillment pricing looks opaque until you break it into its parts: a per-order pick & pack fee, monthly storage, and a handful of one-time charges. Below are current industry benchmark ranges — and a calculator that turns them into an estimate for your operation.

Fulfillment Cost Calculator

Estimate your monthly 3PL spend from industry benchmark rates.

Orders shipped per month

Pick & pack benchmark: per order

Pallets stored (average)

Storage benchmark: per pallet / month

Include one-time setup fee

Estimated monthly cost

–

Pick & pack ( orders)

Storage ( pallets)

Setup (first month only)

First-month total

Estimates use industry benchmark ranges, not quotes. Actual pricing varies with order profile, storage type, and location — the fastest way to know your real number is to collect bids.

Get Real Quotes — Free RFQ →

Current 3PL Cost Benchmarks

Typical fee ranges across US third-party logistics providers. Low end reflects simple, high-volume operations; high end reflects complex handling, premium markets, or low volume.

Fee	Typical range	Billed	Notes
Pick & pack	$3 – $5.50	per order	Standard pick-and-pack fulfillment for a typical ecommerce order.
All-in fulfillment cost	$4.25 – $8.50	per order	Blended per-order cost including storage, receiving, and account fees.
Pallet storage	$8 – $25	per pallet / month	Monthly storage for a standard pallet position.
Bin / shelf storage	$0.43 – $0.78	per cubic ft / month	Small-item storage billed by cubic foot instead of pallet.
Account setup	$333 – $425	one-time	Onboarding / integration fee charged by about half of 3PLs.

Benchmarks last reviewed August 3, 2026.

What Actually Drives Your 3PL Bill

Labor is the biggest line item. Warehouse labor typically accounts for 50–60% of a 3PL's operating cost, which is why per-order fees climb with handling complexity — kitting, fragile items, multi-item orders, and custom packaging all add touches.

Storage pricing depends on how you store. Palletized inventory is billed per pallet position, while small-parcel catalogs are usually billed per cubic foot or per bin. Slow-moving inventory is getting more expensive: nearly half of US warehouses now charge long-term storage surcharges for stock that sits more than 6–12 months — roughly double the share from two years ago.

Location moves the number. Rates in coastal port markets and major metros run meaningfully higher than in midwestern or secondary markets. If your customers are spread nationally, a cheaper inland warehouse with good carrier zone coverage often beats a premium coastal one.

Watch the accessorials. Setup fees, receiving fees, account management minimums, returns processing, and packaging materials are where quotes that looked identical diverge. Always compare the full fee schedule, not just the headline pick & pack rate.

Sources: Benchmark ranges are compiled from industry pricing research, including Fulfill.com's 2026 3PL pricing guide and The Fulfillment Advisor's survey of 600+ US warehouses, alongside rates observed across the DockLinx marketplace. Ranges are periodically reviewed and updated by our team; they are estimates, not quotes.

Stop estimating — get real bids

Submit a free RFQ and warehouses matched to your volume, storage type, and location will bid for your business.

Browse Warehouses →