Fees explained

Every line on a 3PL invoice: what it is, how it is calculated and the errors that show up on it.

• 3PL account management fees: monthly, software and setup feesWhat 3PL account, platform, software and onboarding fees cover, how they are billed, the errors that show up on invoices and what to ask before you sign.5 min read
• 3PL minimum monthly billing: how minimums and top-ups workHow a 3PL minimum works, what counts toward it, how the top-up is calculated with a worked $1,500 example, and how to spot a top-up larger than the shortfall.5 min read
• 3PL special project fees: hourly labor and value-added servicesHow 3PLs bill special projects, hourly labor and value-added services like labeling and photography, the errors that show up and how to check the hours.4 min read
• 3PL storage fees: how pallet and bin storage is billedHow 3PLs charge for storage by pallet, bin, shelf or cubic foot, published monthly rates, and how to check whether you were billed on the right count.6 min read
• Address correction fee: why carriers charge it and how to checkWhat triggers a carrier address correction fee, how it shows up on 3PL invoices, how to check that the address really changed and how to prevent the charge.5 min read
• Dimensional weight: formula, divisors and how to check itThe dimensional weight formula, the UPS, FedEx and USPS divisors with sources, rounding rules, worked examples and the dim weight errors on 3PL invoices.6 min read
• Fuel surcharge: how carrier fuel charges work on 3PL invoicesHow UPS and FedEx set fuel surcharges each week, what they apply to, how they show on 3PL invoices and how to check the markup a warehouse adds on top.5 min read
• Kitting fees: what kitting is and how 3PLs charge for itWhat kitting is, how 3PLs bill it per kit, per component or by the hour, published rates, a worked example, and the kitting errors to check on your invoice.5 min read
• Long-term storage fees: what counts as aged inventory at a 3PLWhat 3PL long-term storage fees are, what counts as long-term storage, how inventory age is counted, and the aging errors to look for on your invoice.6 min read
• Packaging fees: when a 3PL can bill for boxes and mailersHow 3PLs charge for packaging, when boxes, mailers and dunnage are included in pick and pack, custom packaging, published ranges, and how to check the line.5 min read
• Pick and pack fees: how 3PLs charge and how to check themWhat pick and pack fees cover, how 3PLs price the first and additional items, published rate ranges, and how to check the line against your Shopify orders.6 min read
• Receiving fees: how 3PLs bill for inbound inventoryWhat 3PL receiving fees cover, how they are billed per pallet, carton, unit, hour or container, published ranges, and how to catch duplicate receiving charges.5 min read
• Returns processing fees: what 3PLs charge to handle returnsHow 3PL returns processing fees work, per return and per unit charges, inspection, restocking and disposal, published ranges, and how to check the line.5 min read
• UPS residential surcharge: what it is and how to check itWhat the UPS and FedEx residential surcharge is, how carriers decide an address is residential, how it shows on 3PL bills and how to spot it on business orders.5 min read