Can a 3PL handle dropshipping orders if my suppliers ship inventory late?

Yes, but only after inventory is physically received and scanned into stock. A warehouse cannot ship what is not on hand, so supplier delays still directly affect order fulfillment timelines.

What are the most common hidden fees dropshipping brands get billed for at a 3PL?

The most common hidden fees include relabeling, carton breakdown, storage overages, and returns processing. These charges often appear when inbound inventory does not meet barcode or packaging standards.

How do I prevent inventory mismatches when moving from supplier-direct shipping to a warehouse?

Inventory mismatches are reduced by enforcing barcode labeling at origin and requiring carton-level counts before departure. Accurate receiving and frequent cycle counts maintain alignment between physical stock and system inventory.

What should I require in an SLA for receiving, pick accuracy, and same-day shipping cutoffs?

You should require defined receiving timelines, documented accuracy targets above 99 percent, and a clearly stated same-day cutoff time. Ambiguity in any of these areas increases operational volatility.

How does a 3PL integrate with Shopify for orders, tracking, and returns updates?

Most warehouses integrate directly with Shopify to pull orders and push tracking automatically. Returns updates depend on how quickly items are inspected and marked restockable inside the warehouse system.

When should I switch from dropshipping to stocking inventory in a 3PL warehouse?

Switch when delivery times exceed customer expectations or daily order volume justifies holding domestic stock. Brands typically transition once consistent monthly volume and margin support inventory ownership.

e-Business 3PL Services for Fulfillment Clarity

Channels/Products

Step 2 of 3

Which channels are you looking to have us fulfill orders for? *

Business Model

DTC (direct to customer)
B2B (business to business)
FBA (fulfillment by amazon)

If you are only shipping to FBA, we will not be able to support your account. If you would like us to refer you to someone that specializes in FBA, please send an email to [email protected] so we can make an introduction.

Which platforms do you need SHIPHYPE to fulfill orders for? *

What platforms do you sell on?

Are you currrently shipping DTC orders in the US or Canada? *

Please Select

Are you currrently shipping DTC orders in the US or Canada?

Are you currrently shipping B2B orders in the US or Canada? *

Please Select

Are you currrently shipping B2B orders in the US or Canada?

What % of your B2B orders ship out in Cases? *

What % of your B2B orders ship out in Cases?

What % of your B2B orders ship out in Pallets? *

What % of your B2B orders ship out in Pallets?

How do your customers submit B2B orders to you? *

How do your customers submit B2B orders to you

Are you currrently shipping FBA orders in the US or Canada? *

Please Select

Are you currrently shipping FBA orders in the US or Canada?

How many orders are you expecting per-month?

Have you reviewed our Pricing Page? *

Have you reviewed our Pricing Page?

Please review our Pricing Page to see if it fits your budget before continuing with the rest of the form.

Are you able to afford the $999/month Account Management Fee? *

Are you able to afford the <span class="site-color">$999/month</span> Account Management Fee?

This fee only applies in months where you are shipping less than 500 orders.

The Account Management fee is compulsory for brands shipping under 500 orders/month.
If you are shipping less than 500 orders and are unable afford the Account Management fee, we can refer you to one of our partners for assistance instead.
Please email [email protected] if you would like an introduction.

Orders Shipped in Last 12 Months (Shopify) *

What is your store URL (Shopify)? *

Orders Shipped in Last 12 Months (Shopify Plus)? *

What is your store URL (Shopify Plus)? *

Orders Shipped in Last 12 Months (TikTok)? *

What is your store URL (TikTok)? *

What Amazon Model are you currently doing? *

We only work with FBA brands who are doing Private Label.

Orders Shipped in Last 12 Months (Amazon FBA) *

What is your Amazon Storefront URL (Amazon FBA)? *

Orders Shipped in Last 12 Months (Amazon FBM) *

What is your Amazon Storefront URL (Amazon FBM)? *

Orders Shipped in Last 12 Months (eBay) *

What is your store URL (eBay)? *

Orders Shipped in Last 12 Months (WooCommerce) *

What is your store URL (WooCommerce)? *

Orders Shipped in Last 12 Months (B2B) *

Who are you shipping your B2B orders to? *

How do your clients submit their B2B orders to you? *

What % of your B2B orders ship in Cartons vs Pallets? *

Orders Shipped in Last 12 Months (QVC) *

What is your store URL (QVC)? *

Orders Shipped in Last 12 Months (Walmart) *

What is your store URL (Walmart)? *

Orders Shipped in Last 12 Months (NetSuite) *

What is your store URL (NetSuite)? *

Which 'Other' platforms do you need to fulfill orders for? *

Orders Shipped in Last 12 Months (Other) *

What is your store URL (Other)? *

What products do you sell? *

How many SKUs do you carry? (including all variations) *

What is the max number of Pallets you will be storing? *

Do any of your products weigh more than 20 lbs?*

Do any of your products weigh more than 20 lbs? *

How many SKUs are over 20lbs and how much do they weigh? *

How many SKUs are over 20lbs and how much do they weigh?

Are any of your products considered 'NHP' (Natural Health Products)? *

Which country are your products manufactured in? *

Are any of your products considered 'Dangerous/Hazardous Goods'? *

Are any of your products considered 'Dangerous/Hazardous Goods'? * *

Which Hazard Class do your products fall under? *

Please upload MSDS file. *

Drag & Drop Files, Choose Files to Upload

Please upload pictures of your products. *

Drag & Drop Files, Choose Files to Upload You can upload up to 2 files.

Evaluation Area	What Good Looks Like	Decision Impact
Receiving Speed	Inventory checked in within 24–72 hours of dock arrival	Prevents overselling and ad pause events
Inventory Accuracy	99%+ cycle count accuracy	Reduces refunds and stock discrepancies
Cutoff Time	Same-day shipping for orders before 2PM local time	Improves delivery promise credibility
Returns Processing	Graded and restocked within 72 hours	Restores sellable inventory faster
Order Volume Fit	Comfortable with 1,000–10,000 monthly DTC orders	Avoids deprioritization

Issue	Operational Reality	How It Shows Up
Inventory Miscounts	Supplier cartons labeled inaccurately	Overselling and canceled orders
Slow Receiving	Backlogs during peak season	Paid ads paused due to stock uncertainty
Hidden Accessorial Fees	Charges for labeling, relabeling, or split cartons	Monthly invoices exceed projections
Carrier Mix Limitations	Limited ground carrier options	Higher average shipping cost per order
Poor Returns Grading	No condition-based restock logic	Inventory written off unnecessarily

Provider	Warehouse Locations	Order Volume Fit	Operational Constraint	Best for
SHIPHYPE	US and Canada	1,000–10,000 DTC orders monthly	Limited enterprise retail routing guides	Fast-growing DTC brands needing control
ShipBob	US, EU, Australia	500+ monthly	Multi-warehouse complexity increases inventory splits	Brands wanting distributed inventory
Red Stag Fulfillment	US	500+ monthly	Focused on heavy or oversized goods	Large or high-weight SKUs
Deliverr (Flexport)	US network	1,000+ monthly	Designed around marketplace SLAs	Marketplace-driven brands
ShipMonk	US and EU	1,000+ monthly	Higher per-order costs at lower volume	Brands scaling internationally

e-Business 3PL Services Guide

Key Takeaways

Why Do Dropshipping Brands Look for 3PLs?

When Supplier-to-Customer Shipping Breaks at Volume

When Faster Delivery Becomes Required

When Returns and Exchanges Eat Margin

When Bundles and Kitting Increase AOV

Do 3PLs Work With Dropshipping Brands?

When It Works Well

When It Fails

How Shopify Orders Flow Through a Warehouse

What the Warehouse Does NOT Control

Why is it Hard for Dropshipping Brands to Find a 3PL?

How to Know if a 3PL is Good for You?

What to Look for in a 3PL for Dropshipping Brands

Problems Dropshipping Brands Face When Hiring a 3PL

Top 5 3PL Providers for Dropshipping Brands

Benefits of Working With SHIPHYPE as Your Fulfillment Provider