Managing fulfillment costs can quickly get complex, especially when comparing multiple 3PL providers with different pricing structures.
To simplify the process of managing fulfillment costs, we’ve developed a comprehensive template that breaks down key pricing components such as warehousing, fulfillment, shipping, and value-added services.
In this post, you’ll learn how to:
- Outline the key components every 3PL pricing template should include
- Understand average fulfillment costs and common 3PL pricing models
- Keep your template accurate and up to date as your business evolves
- Avoid costly mistakes when building or managing your 3PL pricing sheet
Click here to download our free 3PL Fulfillment Pricing Template to start streamlining your cost analysis.
Key Components of a 3PL Pricing Template: What Every Business Should Include
A well-organized 3PL pricing template helps you evaluate potential logistics partners with consistency and precision. Each section of your spreadsheet captures a different part of the fulfillment cost structure, from basic company data to detailed SKU-level breakdowns.
Below are the main elements included in our Excel 3PL pricing template and how to use each one effectively.
Company Information
Every cost comparison starts with accurate vendor details. This section of the template helps you record essential contact information for each 3PL provider, keeping all proposals clear and organized in one document.
Include the following fields:
- Company Name – Identify the 3PL provider for easy reference.
- Contact Person – Note the primary representative responsible for your account or proposal.
- Date – Record when the quote or cost breakdown was provided.
- Email – Include the direct contact for future communication or clarifications.
- Phone – Add a quick contact number for follow-ups or negotiations.
Keeping this section complete ensures every 3PL quote is properly labeled and easy to compare, saving you time when reviewing offers or revisiting past proposals.
Services Overview
This section forms the foundation of 3PL pricing. It covers five major fee categories that account for most logistics expenses:
- Warehousing Costs – Charges for storage space and inventory handling. These can be calculated per pallet, bin, or cubic foot, depending on your SKU size and volume.
- Fulfillment Fees – The cost of picking, packing, and processing orders. This often varies by item complexity or order quantity.
- Shipping Fees – Carrier and zone-based shipping rates. Recording them here helps you compare which 3PL offers better regional coverage or negotiated discounts.
- Value-Added Services – Extra costs for kitting, labeling, inserts, or custom packaging, ideal for brands that require unique presentation or bundle assembly.
- Returns Management – Fees for processing, restocking, or inspecting returned items. Tracking this ensures you capture true post-purchase handling costs.
Together, these inputs help you visualize how each 3PL structures its base services and identify where hidden costs might occur.
Pro Tip: Want to estimate these costs before filling out your pricing template? Use Fulfyld’s free fulfillment cost calculator to get a quick, data-driven overview of your average storage, pick-and-pack, and shipping expenses.
Cost Breakdown by SKU
For e-commerce sellers with multiple products, cost accuracy often depends on SKU-level analysis.
This section includes:
- SKU Number & Description – Identifiers to differentiate your products in the cost sheet.
- Handling Time per Unit – The average time needed to process one SKU, helping estimate labor costs.
- Fulfillment Cost per Unit – Total cost to pick, pack, and prepare each product for shipment.
- Shipping Cost per Unit – The outbound freight cost associated with that specific SKU.
Recording SKU-based data allows you to calculate the true cost per order and pinpoint which items are most profitable, a critical insight when negotiating fulfillment pricing or planning product margins.
Additional Costs
Beyond standard services, there are often extra fees that can significantly impact your budget.
This section of the template helps you capture them all:
- Setup Fees – One-time implementation or onboarding charges.
- Technology Fees – Costs for integration with software platforms such as Shopify, Amazon, or inventory systems.
- Special Handling Fees – Fees for fragile, oversized, or hazardous products that require unique processing.
- Miscellaneous Fees – Any additional, non-standard charges.
Documenting these ensures complete visibility so you can avoid surprises when invoices arrive.
Discounts & Incentives
To accurately evaluate total value, you should also record any applicable discounts.
This part of the template includes:
- Volume-Based Discounts – Price reductions for higher monthly orders or storage volumes.
- Long-Term Storage Discounts – Lower rates for inventory stored over extended periods.
These fields are especially useful when modeling growth scenarios, helping you estimate how your per-order costs may decrease as your order volume scales.
Contract Terms
This section of your 3PL pricing template focuses on the 3PL contract terms that govern your partnership, not just the costs themselves. Clear agreements ensure transparency, protect your business from unexpected changes, and help you plan long-term fulfillment strategies with confidence.
In this section, you’ll find two key fields:
Pricing Validity Period
Defines how long the quoted rates remain valid before renewal or renegotiation. This is especially useful for comparing providers with different contract cycles, such as monthly versus annual agreements.
Renewal Clauses
Outline the conditions under which pricing or service terms can automatically renew or adjust. Understanding these clauses helps you avoid sudden cost increases or lock-ins after the initial term ends.
When evaluating multiple 3PL partners, paying close attention to contract terms allows you to negotiate more effectively and maintain predictable costs as your business scales.
Pro Tip: If you want to create clear, reliable agreements with your logistics partners, try our downloadable 3PL contract template, a practical tool to strengthen your partnerships and protect your pricing terms.
Average Pricing for Order Fulfillment with a 3PL
Below is an example of typical 3PL pricing structures and their related expenses. These figures represent industry averages and can vary depending on order volume, location, and the type of fulfillment services required.
Typical 3PL Fulfillment Pricing Breakdown
The table below outlines the most common fulfillment cost categories and their average industry rates.
| Fulfillment Costs Category | Pricing Breakdown per Unit |
| Initial Setup Fee | Typically averages $425, but can range from $0 to $1,000+. Around $300 on average for eCommerce store integration, often bundled with the overall setup cost. |
| Inbound Freight Charges | Discounted rates based on carrier agreements and shipment volume. |
| Receiving Charges | $45 per hour OR $375 for a 20-foot container, $450 for a 40-foot container, $3.25 per box, $13.50 per pallet, $0.40 per item, or $2.75 per SKU. |
| Storage Costs | $22 per pallet, $0.50 per cubic foot, $2.80 per bin, or $1.30 per square foot of warehouse space. |
| Order Processing Fee | $2.75 per order PLUS $0.70 per additional item (average $3.20 per single-item order). $5.00 per B2B transaction. Discounts are often available for high-volume sellers. |
| Packaging Fee | $1.25 per box. Some fulfillment companies include this in the processing fee, which slightly increases the total fulfillment charge. Average range: $0.50 – $1.75 per box.. |
| Order Inserts | $0.25 per insert OR $0.05 per label. |
| Outbound Shipping Costs | Discounted based on carrier-negotiated rates — e.g., 18–22% off ground, 20–25% off express, 20% off international, and 22% off LTL freight. Using your own carrier may cost $1.00 – $3.50 per order. |
| Return Processing Fee | $4.00 per order PLUS $0.50 for each additional item returned (average $4.25 for a single-item return). |
| Assembly or Kitting Fee | $42 per hour OR custom rates per order/item based on time studies ($0.30 – $0.70 for simple projects per unit; average of $0.40 per unit). |
| Account Management Fees | $250 per month, ranging from $40 to $550 based on service complexity and reporting needs. |
| Customer Support Services Fee | $1.25 per minute for call center or customer service support. |
Note: The pricing provided is for reference only and may not accurately represent Fulfyld’s current rates.
Understanding how these numbers fit within different 3PL pricing models can help you make smarter cost comparisons.
Common 3PL Pricing Models
3PLs use various pricing structures depending on business type, order volume, and service needs. Here are the most common models you’ll encounter:
- Transactional (Pay-As-You-Go) – You pay per order, per pick, or per shipment. Ideal for businesses with fluctuating volumes or seasonal demand.
- Monthly Retainer (Flat Fee) – A fixed monthly rate covering a set number of orders or storage units. Predictable and budget-friendly for consistent sellers.
- Hybrid Model – Combines flat monthly fees with variable per-order costs. Useful for brands balancing volume stability and flexibility.
- Custom Enterprise Pricing – Tailored for large eCommerce operations that require automation, integrations, or dedicated support teams.
Each model affects how your overall costs scale with order growth. When using a 3PL pricing template, input these costs into each category to see which pricing model gives you the most efficient total fulfillment rate.
How Often Should I Update My 3PL Pricing Template?
Your 3PL pricing template should be updated every 6 to 12 months, or anytime major changes occur in your operations, costs, or logistics partners. Regular updates help you stay competitive, avoid hidden costs, and ensure your fulfillment strategy reflects real market conditions.
Regular Review and Maintenance
Keeping your pricing template accurate is about consistency. Here’s how to manage it effectively:
- Set a Review Schedule – Review your pricing template quarterly, semiannually, or annually, depending on your business’s pace. The more dynamic your operations, the more frequent the updates should be.
- Monitor Industry Trends – Track shipping rates, labor costs, and 3PL service changes. Adjusting your template ensures your pricing stays aligned with current market conditions.
- Analyze Your Cost Structure – Reassess key cost drivers like storage fees, material prices, and customer demand. Small changes here can significantly impact overall fulfillment costs.
- Be Proactive – Don’t wait for costs to rise unexpectedly. Updating your model early helps you make strategic adjustments and maintain profitability.
- Gather Feedback – Involve your sales and logistics teams in the review process. Their input can uncover inefficiencies, pricing gaps, or opportunities for savings.
Regular updates like these ensure your template remains a reliable decision-making tool, helping you adapt quickly as fulfillment costs evolve.
Adapting to Changing Business Needs
As your business grows, your pricing model should grow with it. If you introduce new products, expand into new markets, or experience shifts in order volume, revisit your template to capture these changes accurately.
When adapting your model:
- Adjust for product-specific needs like packaging, shipping distance, or special handling.
- Review how new services or fulfillment technologies affect your pricing structure.
- Update your cost assumptions to reflect inflation, regional rates, or seasonal fluctuations.
Communicate any pricing updates clearly to your team and customers. Transparency builds trust, especially when you explain how these changes improve efficiency, accuracy, or long-term cost savings.
What Common Mistakes Should I Avoid When Creating a 3PL Pricing Template?
Building a third-party logistics (3PL) pricing template is a smart way to gain control over your fulfillment costs, but a few common mistakes can undermine its effectiveness. Many businesses overlook hidden fees or make their templates overly complicated, leading to confusion or inaccurate cost tracking.
Here are the main pitfalls to avoid:
1. Overcomplicating the Template
Keep your pricing template simple and easy to use. Adding too many unnecessary details or complex formulas can make it difficult to update or interpret.
Focus only on key fulfillment cost categories, such as receiving, storage, pick and pack, and shipping, to ensure clarity and accuracy. A clean, structured template encourages consistent use and quick decision-making.
2. Inaccurate or Inconsistent Data Input
The accuracy of your pricing model depends entirely on the data you enter. Double-check all values for consistency, especially when updating costs from multiple 3PL providers.
Even small data errors can distort your total fulfillment cost calculations, leading to poor budgeting or misinformed decisions.
Tip: Assign one team member to verify all numbers before finalizing your template each review cycle.
Optimize Your Fulfillment Costs with the 3PL Pricing Template
Using a 3PL pricing template is more than just a cost-tracking exercise; it’s a strategic way to gain full visibility into your logistics operations.
With our downloadable template, you can automatically calculate and compare fulfillment expenses, spot hidden fees, and make informed decisions when choosing the right 3PL fulfillment provider for your business.
Whether you’re comparing providers or refining your logistics setup, this tool simplifies data entry, centralizes key cost categories, and helps you quickly spot savings and forecast expenses accurately.
Start using a 3PL fulfillment pricing template today to build a smarter, more transparent fulfillment strategy that drives both operational efficiency and long-term profitability.
