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Stages of a 3PL Fulfillment Process from Online Order Placement to Delivery

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Stages of a 3PL Fulfillment Process from Online Order Placement to Delivery
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The 5 Stages of the 3PL Fulfillment Process

Handing off your ecommerce logistics to a third-party might feel like a leap, but done right, it’s one of the smartest moves you can make. It frees up your time, cuts down on costs, and gives you the breathing room to actually grow your business.

At ShipBots, we don’t just ship boxes. We’ve built a 3PL fulfillment system that covers everything from the moment your inventory hits our docks to the second it lands on your customer’s doorstep (and even the occasional return trip).

Stage 1: Receiving Inventory

Every fulfillment journey starts with inventory hitting our docks, and how that inventory is handled sets the tone for everything that follows.

Being near the Port of LA isn’t just a convenience, it’s a game-changer. With our local warehouse just minutes away, we can cut down on transportation costs and get your inventory unloaded, checked in, and ready to ship faster than most.

And it’s not just a sleepy little port. More than 8.63 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) moved through the Port of Los Angeles in 2023 alone, making it the busiest in the country (Port Technology International). If your products are coming in from overseas, this is where you want to be.

At ShipBots, we log, barcode, and scan each incoming item so it can be tracked in your dashboard immediately. That means fewer stockouts, better inventory control, and less guesswork.

✅ Barcode-level accuracy and tracking

✅ Multiple fulfillment centers for regional coverage

✅ Fast dock-to-stock turnaround for launch-ready inventory

✅ Real-time inventory visibility via your dashboard

✅ Integrated workflows for subscription box fulfillment and TikTok Shop fulfillment

Stage 2: Picking Orders

ShipBots plugs directly into platforms like Shopify, BigCommerce, Amazon, and TikTok Shop, so when a customer places an order, it shows up right away: no downloads, no delays.

And before anything gets packed, we double-check each SKU. Why? Because one wrong item can turn into a customer complaint, a refund, and a headache nobody asked for.

And we’re not alone in taking speed and accuracy seriously. According to Zebra Technologies’ 2023 Warehousing Vision Study, 43% of warehouses are planning to implement real-time location systems to improve operations. These systems offer live insights and automated tracking, exactly the kind of tools we’re already putting to work.

✅ Real-time order syncing from your ecommerce platform

✅ SKU-level verification to reduce mispicks

✅ Custom workflows for bundles, kitted items, and limited-edition drops

✅ Scalable for high-volume flash sales

Stage 3: Packing the Goods

Now that we’ve picked the right items, it’s time to protect them for the journey.

At ShipBots, packing is more than tape and boxes. It's where your brand meets your customer for the first time physically, so it needs to feel premium, even if you're operating on tight margins.

We include standard packaging (boxes, tape, dunnage) in our pricing and offer branded packaging, gift wrapping, inserts, and other value-adds. For brands offering subscription box fulfillment, we support full kitting and assembly, so every box is camera-ready.

According to Ryder’s breakdown of Dotcom Distribution’s consumer research, 68% of shoppers say branded packaging makes a brand feel more upscale, and 61% say it increases their excitement about receiving and opening the product. That emotional connection can turn a one-time buyer into a repeat customer.

We also keep dimensional weight in mind to minimize carrier fees. By right-sizing your packaging, we reduce shipping costs without compromising safety.

✅ Custom kitting, inserts, and branded experience

✅ Packaging optimized for dimensional weight pricing

✅ Eco-conscious materials available

✅ Integrated with order fulfillment services

Stage 4: Shipping the Order

Once your order is packed, it’s handed off to the best carrier for the job, based on speed, cost, and location.

Our system rate-shops between FedEx, UPS, DHL, and regional carriers to ensure you’re getting the lowest possible price without sacrificing delivery time. This matters: according to Shippo’s 2023 State of Shipping Report, 73% of online shoppers say delivery speed influences their purchasing decision.

If your volume grows, we can seamlessly shift you from parcel to LTL or FTL freight. Need help deciding? We offer hybrid solutions to ease the transition.

Our Los Angeles 3PL location is especially powerful here. Orders heading to the West Coast can be delivered in as little as one day, while our nationwide network covers the rest.

✅ Multi-carrier rate shopping

✅ West Coast infrastructure for faster dock-to-door

✅ Support for parcel, LTL, and FTL as you grow

✅ Real-time tracking across all shipments

Stage 5: Returns & Reverse Logistics

Returns are the unattractive side of ecommerce, but they’re just as important as outbound fulfillment.

We help you turn returns into a brand-builder instead of a cost center. Our team inspects each returned item based on your criteria, processes refunds or exchanges, and restocks what’s sellable.

Returns are a fact of life in ecommerce, but the scale might surprise you. In 2023 alone, U.S. retailers dealt with an estimated $743 billion in returned merchandise, making up 14.5% of total retail sales, according to the National Retail Federation. That’s not just a dent in profits. That’s a major logistics challenge.

Handling that volume takes more than just a return label. It demands a smooth, efficient process that keeps customers happy while protecting your bottom line. That’s where solid reverse logistics makes all the difference. ShipBots automates the process, connects it to your ecommerce platform, and gives you a clean look at why items are being sent back, so you can reduce return rates in the long term.

✅ Branded return portals and pre-paid labels

✅ Restocking, QC, and RMA management

✅ Return analytics to identify product issues

✅ Integration with Shopify, Amazon, and more

When Should You Switch to a 3PL?

If you’re struggling with slow delivery times, mounting order errors, or limited storage, it may be time to bring in the pros. Ask yourself:

  • Are fulfillment tasks eating into your growth time?

  • Have daily orders outgrown your in-house setup?

  • Are customer complaints piling up due to delays or mistakes?

If yes, it’s probably time to outsource.

How to Choose the Right 3PL Fulfillment Partner

Not all 3PLs are created equal. Here’s what to look for:

Book a demo, ask tough questions, and read their reviews. A good 3PL doesn’t just store and ship; they scale with you.

Why Brands Choose ShipBots

From startup brands to fast-scaling powerhouses, ecommerce companies trust ShipBots to manage the chaos of fulfillment. Here’s why:

Whether you’re sending one box or 1,000, ShipBots handles the heavy lifting so you can focus on scaling.

Let’s Make Fulfillment the Easiest Part of Your Business

Outgrowing your current fulfillment strategy? We’ll help you simplify, scale, and save.

Get a custom quote and see what it’s like to have a 3PL partner that actually gives a ship.