For brands evaluating a 3pl
Warehouse Cost Calculator
Model monthly 3PL storage, receiving, and fulfillment costs before you sign with a warehouse.
Key takeaways
- 3PL cost is driven by three things: storage, receiving, and pick-and-pack fulfillment.
- Storage is usually billed per pallet or per cubic foot per month; fulfillment is per order or per unit.
- Watch for account minimums and accessorial fees that don't show up in a headline per-unit rate.
Directional estimate. 3PL pricing models vary widely (per-pallet vs. per-cubic-foot, tiered pick fees, surcharges), use this to compare quotes, not as a binding number.
How 3PLs charge
Most 3PLs bill across three buckets: storage (per pallet or per cubic foot, per month), receiving (per inbound shipment or per unit), and fulfillment (per order plus per pick). Many also have account minimums. Watch for surcharges, peak-season storage, long-term storage, and special handling add up.
How to use the Warehouse Cost Calculator
- 1Enter your pallet or unit volume and monthly order count.
- 2Add the per-pallet storage rate and per-order pick-and-pack rate.
- 3See your estimated monthly 3PL cost broken down by driver.
Estimates are for planning only. Confirm rates, accessorials, minimums, and service details directly with providers.
What to do next
After estimating warehouse costs, compare providers by location, storage type, order volume, minimums, integrations, and contract terms.
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Frequently asked questions
How do 3PLs usually charge?
Most bill across storage (per pallet or cubic foot), receiving (per shipment or unit), and fulfillment (per order plus per pick), often with an account minimum. Confirm the full fee schedule with each provider.
Is this estimate accurate enough to budget?
It's a planning estimate. Real quotes depend on your SKU profile, volume, and handling needs. Use it to compare providers on an apples-to-apples basis, then confirm rates before signing.
What is a 3PL account minimum?
A minimum is the floor a 3PL charges each month regardless of your activity, meant to cover the cost of servicing the account. Low-volume shippers often pay the minimum rather than the usage-based total, so factor it in when comparing quotes.
What are storage surcharges to watch for?
Common extras include peak-season storage (raised rates in Q4), long-term storage fees on slow-moving inventory, oversize or non-conveyable handling, and returns processing. Ask each provider for a full surcharge list so a low base rate doesn't hide add-ons.
How is 3PL storage measured?
Storage is billed per pallet, per bin or shelf, or per cubic foot, per month. Pallet pricing suits palletized freight; cubic-foot or bin pricing suits small-parcel ecommerce SKUs. Match the billing unit to how your inventory actually stores.
What is pick and pack?
Pick and pack is the fulfillment work of retrieving ordered items from storage (the pick) and packing them for shipment. 3PLs usually charge a base fee per order plus a fee for each additional pick, so multi-item orders cost more than single-item orders.