Rian Lukacs – Growth & Improvement Manager | Updated 8/27/26
Short Answer: Pick-and-pack fees pricing typically falls between $2 and $5 per order for a single-item ecommerce shipment. Case-pick fulfillment usually runs $4 to $10 per case, and pallet-level fulfillment usually runs $15 to $40 per pallet, as illustrative industry ranges. Your actual rate depends on order complexity, SKU count, packaging needs, and how much manual labor each order requires. Because ecommerce and wholesale orders have very different labor profiles, most 3PLs price them under separate models instead of one blended rate.
What Is a Reasonable Pick-and-Pack Fee, and What Factors Make It Higher?
A reasonable pick-and-pack fee reflects the labor and materials needed to retrieve, pack, and ship one item. For a standard single-SKU ecommerce order, published rate cards commonly range from $2 to $5 per order. Additional items in the same order typically add $0.30 to $1.00 each, according to several 3PL pricing surveys. As an example, a warehouse might charge $3.00 for the first item and $0.50 for each extra unit. Pricing structures vary by provider. So always ask whether a quoted fee includes packing materials and labels, or whether those get billed separately.
What Drives Pick-and-Pack Fees Pricing Higher
Several factors push pick-and-pack fees pricing above the baseline range. High SKU counts increase picking time, since a worker has to travel to more locations to fill one order. In addition, fragile or oddly shaped items often need extra padding. That extra handling adds both labor minutes and material costs. Custom packaging, branded inserts, or gift wrapping typically add $1.00 to $3.00 per order as an illustrative range. That is because these steps require manual assembly. Kitting and bundling raise costs too, because combining multiple SKUs into one sellable unit takes pre-pack labor. Finally, oversized or heavy items, commonly defined as 50 pounds or more, usually carry a separate surcharge. They need different equipment, and sometimes a second worker, to handle safely.
What Keeps Pick-and-Pack Fees Pricing Lower
Certain conditions consistently keep pick-and-pack fees pricing near the low end of the range. Standardized product dimensions let a 3PL use automated packing stations instead of custom boxing. Consistent, predictable order volume also helps, since it lets a warehouse staff efficiently and avoid rush-labor premiums. Low SKU complexity matters too, since most one- or two-item orders take less time to pick. If your order profile fits these patterns, expect quotes toward the lower end of typical pricing. It is reasonable to push back if a provider quotes well above the $2 to $5 baseline without a clear reason.
How Do 3PLs Price Wholesale Orders That Ship by Case or Pallet?
Wholesale and B2B orders rarely move one unit at a time, so 3PLs price them differently from pick-and-pack fees pricing built for single-unit ecommerce orders. Instead of charging per item picked, most providers charge per case pulled or per pallet handled. That unit better reflects the actual labor involved. The next sections explain how each method works, and why the cost drivers differ from direct-to-consumer fulfillment.
How Case-Pick Pricing Works
Case-pick fulfillment means a worker pulls a full, pre-packed case of one SKU off a shelf. The worker does not open the case to pick individual units. This requires far less handling per unit shipped. As a result, per-case fees are usually lower per unit than per-item picking. That said, the flat fee per case can look higher on paper. Industry estimates suggest case-pick fees commonly range from $4 to $10 per case. The exact rate depends on case weight, size, and whether the case needs relabeling for a specific retail customer. For example, a 24-unit case of a lightweight product might cost less to pick than a 12-unit case of a bulky item. That is because case weight and dimensions affect handling time more than unit count alone.
How Pallet-Level Fulfillment Pricing Works
Pallet-level fulfillment applies when a customer, typically a distributor or large retail buyer, orders in full-pallet quantities. Moving a pallet requires a forklift or pallet jack rather than manual carrying. So the labor time per unit drops even further. Because of that, 3PLs generally charge a flat fee per pallet pulled and loaded. As an illustrative range, pallet-pick and load fees typically fall between $15 and $40 per pallet. This varies by facility, region, and whether the pallet needs wrapping, labeling, or staging for a specific freight carrier. Pallet orders also tend to involve outbound freight rather than parcel shipping. So expect your 3PL to quote pallet fulfillment and freight coordination as separate line items.
Additional Fees That Affect Wholesale Pricing
Wholesale fulfillment often carries compliance requirements that ecommerce orders do not. These add cost beyond the base case-pick or pallet-pick fee. Many big-box and major retail buyers require Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) integration. As a result, your 3PL needs to support automated purchase orders and shipment confirmations. That capability sometimes carries a setup or per-transaction fee. Retailers also frequently enforce routing guides that dictate carrier selection, delivery windows, and labeling formats. Failing to comply can trigger chargebacks from the retailer, not the 3PL. Consequently, an experienced 3PL that already understands major retailer compliance requirements can help you avoid costly penalties. That holds true even if its case-pick rate looks slightly higher than a less experienced competitor’s.
Should Ecommerce and Wholesale Fulfillment Use Different Pricing Models?
Yes, in most cases ecommerce and wholesale fulfillment should use different pricing models. The underlying labor and handling patterns are fundamentally different between the two. Ecommerce fulfillment involves picking individual units and packing them into small parcels for residential delivery. So per-item and per-order pricing reflects that labor accurately. Wholesale fulfillment, by contrast, involves moving cases or pallets with far less handling per unit. As a result, per-case or per-pallet pricing better matches the actual cost to serve.
Why a Single Blended Rate Usually Doesn’t Work
If a 3PL applied one blended per-unit rate across both channels, it would likely overcharge wholesale customers. That is because pallet and case orders need dramatically less labor per unit than single-item picks. On the other hand, a flat per-order rate that works for ecommerce would undercharge a pallet order. A single pallet order can represent hundreds of units and significant forklift labor. As a result, most established 3PLs, including providers serving Northeast distribution corridors, maintain separate rate cards for DTC and B2B fulfillment. Each rate card gets calibrated to the labor profile of that specific channel.
What a Dual Pricing Structure Typically Includes
A well-structured dual pricing model separates fees by channel while still sharing the same storage and receiving infrastructure. Your ecommerce rate card would generally include per-order pick-and-pack fees, parcel materials, and per-item charges for extra SKUs. Your wholesale rate card would instead include per-case or per-pallet pick fees. It would also list freight coordination charges and any EDI or retail compliance fees. Both channels typically draw from the same physical inventory. So storage fees usually stay unified across both models rather than duplicated. Storage is commonly billed per pallet, per bin, or per cubic foot monthly. If you sell through both channels, ask your 3PL for an itemized quote that shows both rate cards side by side. That way, you can compare true cost to serve for each one.
How Can You Compare 3PL Pricing Quotes Accurately?
Comparing 3PL quotes accurately means looking past the headline pick-and-pack rate. Understanding pick-and-pack fees pricing before you sign gives you a real basis for negotiation instead of a guess. Providers itemize fees differently, and a low per-order rate can hide higher receiving, storage, or account fees elsewhere in the contract. Therefore, request a full fee schedule that lists every charge type. That should include receiving fees, commonly $10 to $75 per pallet depending on whether it covers unloading and inspection. It should also list storage fees and any minimum monthly fees. It also helps to ask for pricing based on your actual order mix. Specifically, request your real ratio of single-item ecommerce orders to case or pallet wholesale orders, not a generic published rate card. Finally, since seasonal volume spikes can trigger surcharges, ask whether your quoted rates hold steady during peak season.
FAQ
A pick fee covers the labor to locate and retrieve an item or case from its warehouse location. A pack fee covers the labor and materials to box, label, and prepare that item for shipment. Some 3PLs itemize these separately, while others bundle both into a single combined rate.
Yes, kitting and bundling typically carry a separate fee. That is because they require manual assembly labor before the item ever reaches the standard pick-and-pack process. As an example, combining three separate products into one gift set might add an illustrative $0.75 to $2.50 per unit assembled, depending on complexity.
Many retail buyers set minimum order quantities at the case or pallet level. This actually works in your favor from a fulfillment cost perspective. A full case or pallet needs less handling per unit than picking loose units. So larger minimum quantities generally produce a lower effective cost per unit shipped.
Storage fees are typically calculated the same way regardless of sales channel, since storage reflects physical warehouse space rather than order-picking labor. Most 3PLs bill storage per pallet position, per bin, or per cubic foot each month. Industry ranges commonly fall between $15 and $40 per pallet monthly, though climate-controlled space can add a premium on top.
In many cases, yes, especially once you can show consistent order volume. A 3PL can often offer volume-based discounts, because higher and steadier throughput lets the facility plan labor more efficiently. If you are negotiating, come prepared with your actual historical order data. Include your typical split between single-item, multi-item, case, and pallet orders.
Beyond pick-and-pack, case-pick, and storage fees, budget for receiving fees, charged per pallet or per hour when inbound shipments arrive. You should also expect account management or software platform fees. In addition, watch for special handling surcharges tied to hazardous materials, oversized items, or temperature-controlled products. Some 3PLs also charge a minimum monthly fee if your actual volume falls below a contracted threshold.