The 3PL fulfillment brief: what to prepare before requesting quotes.
A one-page brief makes every 3PL quote the same operation, so their prices can actually be compared. This is the checklist FulfillYN uses on discovery calls. Use it with any provider or matchmaker.
Products
Drives storage type, racking, packaging, and which facilities can legally hold your goods.
- Number of active SKUs, and how many make up 80% of volume
- Unit dimensions and weights for your top SKUs
- Fragile, perishable, temperature-sensitive, hazmat, or high-value status
- Lot, batch, or expiration-date tracking requirements
- Whether products arrive barcoded
Demand
Determines capacity, labor planning, and which pricing tiers you qualify for.
- Current monthly DTC and B2B order volume
- Average units per order
- Peak-month volume and when peak happens
- Projected 12-month growth
Channels
Each channel has integration and compliance rules the 3PL must support.
- DTC storefronts (Shopify, WooCommerce, BigCommerce, custom)
- Marketplaces (Amazon, Walmart, TikTok Shop)
- Wholesale and retail accounts, including routing guides and EDI
- Amazon prep or FBA replenishment needs
Geography
Warehouse location relative to customers usually drives the largest cost line: postage.
- Where inventory originates (domestic supplier or overseas port)
- Where your customers are concentrated
- Single facility or multi-node network
- US, Canada, UK/EU, or international coverage
Inbound and storage
Receiving and storage are priced very differently between providers.
- How product arrives: containers, pallets, or cartons
- Container or receipt frequency
- Average pallet and carton dimensions and weights, and whether pallets stack
- Average number of pallets stored and replenishment frequency
- Required storage climate
Operations
Value-added work is where quotes diverge most and surprises appear on invoices.
- Custom packaging, inserts, and gift notes
- Kitting, bundling, assembly, or subscription boxes
- Returns volume and how returns should be processed
- Freight and LTL needs for B2B orders
- Order cutoff times and ship-by SLA expectations
Technology
A 3PL that cannot integrate cleanly will cost you in errors and manual work.
- Required integrations and whether an API is needed
- EDI requirements for retail partners
- Inventory reporting expectations
- Shipping rules and carrier preferences, including your own carrier accounts
Timing and budget
Sets urgency and lets providers quote realistically.
- Target go-live date
- New launch or transition from an existing warehouse (and why you are leaving)
- Who makes the decision, and by when
- Your full order mix and service expectations, not just a target pick-and-pack price
Frequently asked questions
What is a 3PL fulfillment brief?
A fulfillment brief is a one-page summary of your products, order volume, channels, geography, storage profile, special handling, technology, and timing. It lets every 3PL quote the same operation, so their pricing can be compared directly.
Why do I need a brief before requesting 3PL quotes?
Without one, each provider quotes a slightly different version of your business, and the quotes cannot be compared. A brief also filters out providers that cannot handle your requirements before you spend time on calls.
What if I do not know all of these numbers?
Estimates are fine. Averages and ranges are enough for providers to quote accurately. FulfillYN fills the gaps with you on a free intro call and turns your answers into the brief.
Rather not fill it in yourself?
Apply for free and we will build the brief with you on the intro call, then send it only to vetted providers that fit.
Find your 3PL match