eCommerce Shipping & Fulfillment Blog

The best 3PL companies for ecommerce in 2026, compared: ShipBob, Red Stag, ShipMonk, Simpl Fulfillment, and more. Pricing starts at $7/order.

When managing inventory and forecasting customer demand, fill rate is one of the key metrics used in determining a business's success or failure. The fill rate tells us what percentage of customer orders are satisfied with items in stock. It helps provide insight into how well your company is meeting customer needs and expectations regarding product availability, which directly impacts sales and overall profitability. We will explore this important KPI in greater detail – from what fill rate means to how you can measure it – to ensure you always keep your customers coming back for more.

USPS retired First-Class Package Service, Retail Ground and Parcel Select Ground in July 2023 and folded them into Ground Advantage. This guide maps each old class name to its current USPS service, gives the delivery window USPS publishes for each, and lists retail and commercial starting prices effective July 12, 2026.

A carrier facility is a sorting hub that shipping networks route packages through, so an "arrived at carrier facility" update on Amazon tracking reads as your package having reached one of those hubs on the way to you — a routing stop, not your final delivery point. Here's how to read the status against your estimated delivery date and when a stall is worth acting on.

This guide groups 3PL fee structures into eight cost categories to normalize different vendors' labels and line items for comparison. Here is how to read a quote, which charges are easy to overlook, and how Simpl's flat-rate pricing compares. Built for DTC brands shipping 50 to 5,000+ orders a month.

Amazon FBA packaging requirements by product type: poly bag rules and suffocation labels, fragile and oversize prep, box size and weight limits, and case-pack specs, organized by category so you can check your products fast.

A 3PL cost breakdown for eBay sellers: bundled vs unbundled pricing, eBay's own fulfillment attempts, a provider comparison, and how to switch without hurting your metrics.

CDL Last Mile is a family-owned regional carrier delivering across the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic. How to track a CDL package, whether USPS is involved, and how to contact CDL.

Discover how USPS Ground Advantage is revolutionizing eCommerce shipping with cost-effective rates, reliable delivery, and convenient features. Learn about the benefits, requirements, and how to save on shipping costs with this game-changing service.

USPS does not assign addresses. Your local government does, then reports it to USPS. Here is how to confirm a new address made it into the USPS database, and what to do if it did not.

"End of day" means the carrier committed to a day, not an hour. Typical UPS, FedEx, and USPS delivery windows, plus which services carry a real money-back guarantee, sourced from the carriers and dated.

USPS delivery times explained: Understand when mail arrives, factors affecting schedules, and how to plan for timely shipments. Maximize your postal knowledge.

There are many eCommerce stores online today looking for Fulfillment by Amazon companies to ship overseas. Whether you have a small eCommerce site or a large-scale eCommerce business, shipping to Puerto Rico can help you expand your global business. Puerto Rico is a smaller but more dynamic regional market with lesser competitors. Therefore, it is the best market to enter right now as a key player. To help you enter the market, here are some shipping pointers we present for your assistance.

USPS Flat Rate box and envelope prices effective July 12, 2026, at retail and commercial, with inside and outside dimensions, what is included, and a break-even table showing when paying by weight and zone is cheaper.

Domestic shipping is the carriage of goods or passengers within the boundaries of a single country. It is often used when referring to shipments made by common carriers such as trucks, trains, and boats. Domestic shipping can be used for both personal and commercial purposes. Whether you're sending a package to a friend or business associate, there are several different ways to go about domestic shipping. Let's take a closer look at your options!

Customers always demand more when it comes to receiving packages soon. Due to this reason, it is a good idea to opt for overnight shipping. It helps to maintain a competitive advantage; however, it should be affordable. Therefore, you can choose UPS Next Day Air Saver as it is quite a cost-effective option.

eBay Store subscribers at Basic and above get a quarterly coupon worth up to $150 toward eBay-branded shipping supplies. What eBay publishes about it, where to claim it, and which carriers give away packaging.

USPS prices domestic packages by zone, numbered 1 through 9. The zone comes from the distance between the centers of the origin and destination 3-digit ZIP Code areas, not from miles between your warehouse and the customer. Here are the zone bands as the current Domestic Mail Manual defines them, and where to look up the exact zone for any ZIP Code pair.

So you want to sell on Amazon FBA, but your supplier is in a different country. The benefits of selling on Amazon FBA are huge, but buying goods from USA suppliers can be pricey. Dropshipping from overseas suppliers is an attractive option to keep costs down. But everyone knows you can make a ton of money by selling on Amazon FBA. Is it possible to ship supplies from China to Amazon FBA? Yes, with some caveats.

Certified Mail is a USPS extra service that gives you a dated mailing receipt and a delivery record. The recipient's signature only comes with Return Receipt. Here is how to send it at the Post Office, what USPS charges as of September 2026, and what each proof covers.

3PL companies in Austin, TX for ecommerce brands, compared on location, services, and pricing transparency, starting with Austin-based Simpl Fulfillment.

In the ever-evolving realms of retail and e-commerce, one concept that often pops up is 'backordered,' a term that might stir up confusion and frustration among customers anticipating their purchases. Understanding backorders is crucial fo...

Most 3PLs aren't built for small businesses. Here's how the top fulfillment providers compare on pricing, minimums, integrations, and order flexibility.

How Fulfilled by TikTok, TikTok Shipping, Seller Shipping, and a 3PL compare for TikTok Shop sellers, what changed in 2026, and which fits your brand.

ShipBob, ShipHero, and Easyship shipped AI-agent access to fulfillment data in 2026; Stord is investing heavily to follow. Here's what's real, what isn't, and how to evaluate agent access before you grant it.

Switching from ShipBob? Compare Simpl Fulfillment, ShipMonk, ShipHero, and Red Stag on pricing, speed, and order minimums.

Six 3PLs compared for health and wellness brands in 2026 on storage, compliance, pricing, and shipping speed: Fulfyld, ShipBob, Simpl Fulfillment, ShipMonk, Shipfusion, and Red Stag.

A recent data exposure at a fulfillment vendor affected thousands of ecommerce customers' records. Four questions worth asking about data retention, access controls, breach notification, and subprocessors before you sign with a 3PL.

Apparel fulfillment is harder than standard ecommerce for structural reasons: one style becomes dozens of SKUs once you add sizes and colorways, and returns run well above the ecommerce average because fit is a guess until the box arrives. This guide covers what to require from any apparel 3PL, what separates an apparel-ready operation from a generalist one, and how Simpl fits.

Amazon ended its FBA prep service January 1, 2026. Here is what that means for sellers and how to find a prep center that covers FNSKU, polybag, and bundle prep.

Peak season runs August through December. This guide covers inventory pre-positioning, carrier capacity, and what to lock in before Q4 so your orders ship on time.

Supplement fulfillment generally requires a 3PL whose storage facility holds FDA food-facility registration and follows Part 111's holding and distribution recordkeeping — plus operational controls like FEFO that go beyond what the regulation itself requires. Here's what to check for and how to verify it before you sign.

TikTok Shop offers three fulfillment options. This guide covers FBT vs. Seller Shipping, what changed with TikTok's 2026 policy shift, and when a 3PL makes more sense.

The best subscription box fulfillment companies in 2026, compared on kitting capability, pricing transparency, and platform integrations for DTC subscription brands.

In the dynamic world of warehousing and logistics, the role of essential tools and practices cannot be overstated. From the versatile pallet truck to the efficient shelving systems, each element plays a crucial part in ensuring smooth oper...

All Amazon sellers want to make selling on Amazon FBA easier and more efficient. Third-party Amazon FBA prep services are a great way to do that. If you are ready to take your Fulfilled by Amazon (FBA) sales to the next level, there are some factors to consider when choosing the best FBA prep services for you. A quick Google search reveals many companies offering FBA prep services. Which is the right choice? That is the question we are going to answer today. It all boils down to your unique business needs. Location, pricing, customization options, storage, and more all must be considered. These are the top 6 factors to ask yourself to help find the best Amazon prep services for your business.

The EU dropped its €150 duty-free threshold on July 1, 2026. Parcels valued at €150 or less now owe a flat €3 duty plus VAT (narrow exception applies).

DHL eCommerce routes packages through its own hubs before an exclusive USPS last-mile handoff. DHL's own published Ground window runs 3 to 8 average postal days. Here's what that multi-step routing model means for your deliveries.

A boutique 3PL carries fewer accounts and is built to give each one a real point of contact, flexible handling, and per-order pricing that's easy to plan around, though delivery varies by provider. How it compares to enterprise 3PLs, who it fits, and whether Simpl is the right call.

What does order fulfillment actually cost? This guide breaks down every fee type, from pick-and-pack to receiving, storage, and setup, with real industry ranges and Simpl's flat-rate model as a case study.

Evaluating 3PLs? Ten questions that separate the partners worth your time from the ones that slow you down, with the numbers to push for on accuracy, pricing, and contracts.

Apparel fulfillment is harder than standard ecommerce: size-and-color SKU matrices, high return rates, and poly-bag and hang-tag requirements. Here's what changes when you move clothing through a 3PL, what to ask before you sign, and how Simpl runs apparel programs, starting at $7/order.

Austin 3PL services with same-day shipping (12pm cutoff), local drop-off/pickup, and dedicated account management. Simpl Fulfillment serves Austin ecommerce businesses with lower shipping costs and flexible fulfillment solutions.

FBA prep, FBM, and Seller-Fulfilled Prime, handled by a boutique 3PL. Same-day shipping, 99.99% accuracy, starting at $7/order with a $750/month minimum.

A comparison guide to the best 3PLs for merch drops. We compare Simpl, ShipBob, ShipMonk, Whiplash, and Shipwire on burst capacity, kitting, Shopify integration, and flat-rate pricing.

When you hear the phrase “dropshipping”, you may think this is another word for third party logistics. Dropshipping does allow eCommerce businesses to have a third party ship products to customers, but the services provided by drop shippers and fulfillment centers are quite different. We'll explain both.

Seven advantages of using a 3PL for ecommerce brands: Simpl's per-order pricing, carrier costs built into the rate, and the hours back to run the business.

How crowdfunding fulfillment works for Kickstarter and Indiegogo campaigns, when to start planning, and where creators run into trouble.