eCommerce Shipping & Fulfillment Blog

Apparel peak isn't the CPG peak with bigger volume. A peak-readiness checklist, what an apparel-only peak SLA should actually contain, and three ways to stress-test a 3PL's peak claim before you sign.

Pick and pack is the core fulfillment process: receive inventory, pull each order, pack it, ship it. Here's what it actually looks like — and how to tell if a provider does it well.

A ranked 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.

Merch drops concentrate a month's orders into an afternoon. Most 3PLs aren't built for that kind of spike. Here's what makes drops hard to fulfill, what to look for in a partner, and how Simpl handles it.

A no-fluff look at the top ecommerce fulfillment companies of 2026: what they charge, whether they have order minimums, and how they connect to your store.

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

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

The EU dropped its €150 duty-free threshold on July 1, 2026. Nearly every US-to-EU parcel now owes a flat €3 duty plus VAT. Here's what it costs and how to handle it.

Most brands wait too long to outsource fulfillment. Here's how to know when the math tips in favor of a 3PL, what it actually costs, and how to pick one.

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.

Welcome to the world of inventory write-downs, where managing inventory becomes a critical aspect of any booming eCommerce business. In this overview, we will delve into the definition of inventory write-downs and explore why they are nece...

Welcome to our comprehensive guide on understanding cargo in ecommerce. In this article, we will delve into the definition of cargo in ecommerce, explore the various types of cargo handled by ecommerce businesses, and uncover how cargo is...

FIFO and LIFO are two ways of accounting for which inventory leaves first. The pick affects your taxes, your COGS, and what your warehouse actually does.

Welcome to this detailed case study on demand management. In this article, we will explore the importance of demand management in the eCommerce sector and how it can help businesses achieve customer satisfaction and balance supply and dema...

Warehouses are an important part of the eCommerce process, but they can also be a legal liability. In this post, we'll discuss warehouse legal liability and how to protect yourself from potential lawsuits. Stay safe out there!

The last mile is the final hop from local hub to a customer's doorstep. It's where most delivery delays happen and where the biggest carrier costs live.

Devanning is the controlled unloading of cargo from a sealed shipping container. Here's the steps, the staffing, and the planning that protects the day.

With the advancement of technology, businesses undertaking warehousing operations are increasingly aware that efficient maintenance is becoming more and more important. If a business fails to ensure their warehouse is well maintained, it can significantly impair their efficiency and limit their success. Knowing this, every business owner must understand the vital role maintenance plays in a warehouse's optimal operation and set realistic strategies for continuous improvement within their processes. Moving forward, it’s essential to focus on quality assurance practices that keep your warehouses running at peak performance levels. Read on to discover how to use preventive maintenance techniques within your warehouse operations!

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.

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.

Logistic centers are warehouses offering storage places along with various on-demand services. According to reports, the logic industry can witness a growth of 12.68 billion dollars by the year 2023. Logistic centers often provide multiple locations as part of one network on most occasions. This helps the brands over the web distribute the inventory with a proper plan all over the place. It makes the process of packaging streamlined and helps in delivering finished products quickly. Get to know the different types of facilities.

As a business owner, you know that your customers expect fast delivery of their purchases. The success of your online store will depend on how well you fulfill these requirements - and the right shipping solution is essential for meeting customer expectations. A comprehensive and efficient delivery process not only increases customer satisfaction but can also result in greater profitability by reducing costs associated with fulfillment, transportation and labor. But with so many different shipping solutions available, it can be difficult to identify which one is best suited for your eCommerce business. In this blog post we’ll explore the key elements you should consider when selecting a shipping solution designed to fuel growth for your business. Join us as we take a closer look at the factors necessary for successful eCommerce order management!

Every e-commerce store is unique. For example, free return shipping might be impossible for large items delivered by freight truck. In that case, think of other ways to make returns easy for customers. Allowing drop off to your warehouse is one option. Crystal clear return instructions that are easy to find and read go a long way, too. No matter what you sell, try to make your return policy the best it can be.

As an eCommerce business owner will tell you, managing your Inventory can be overwhelming. Aside from the problematic tracking of stock levels, there is also a crucial consideration of the Finished Goods Inventory (FGI) that needs to be taken into account to maximize efficiency and profitability. FGI represents the completed goods or raw materials sitting on warehouse or store shelves and ready for sale. In other words, FGI is those items ready to ship immediately upon receiving orders from customers. Understanding how important it is to have all elements properly managed when dealing with finished goods inventory can be challenging. Still, this blog post will fill you in on everything you need to know about utilizing this key asset within your business.

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.

Amazon's June 29 FBM handling-time enforcement is here. Here's what changes, what sellers risk if they miss it, and how same-day 3PL fulfillment keeps you covered.

You've heard all the buzzwords flying around lately - omni channel, multi-channel, omnichannel. What do they mean, and more importantly, how can you use them in your business? Wonder no longer! This blog post will break it all down for you. Stay tuned!

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...

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...

The best 3PL companies in 2026 compared on published pricing, account management, accuracy, and onboarding speed — match the right one to your business without a sales call first.

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.

AI agents started talking directly to logistics platforms this spring. Here's what's real, what isn't, and what a brand operator should actually do about it in 2026.

Warehousing services are an important part of the supply chain and logistics industry. They provide businesses with a place to store their goods, as well as the necessary equipment and personnel to manage those goods. Warehousing can be tailored to meet the specific needs of a business, making it an essential part of any logistics plan. There are many different types of warehousing services available, so it is important to choose the right one for your needs. Read on to learn more about what warehousing services are and how they can benefit your business.

An 8-point audit to run against your current 3PL before Q4 — leading with the pricing and capacity questions generic checklists skip, so you know whether to stay, fix, or switch while there's still time to move.

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.

Discover leading warehouse fulfillment services to boost your e-commerce efficiency in 2026. Find the perfect 3PL partner today!

Explore the advantages and disadvantages of 3PL services. Learn how third-party logistics can streamline your operations, reduce costs, and scale your business. Find out if 3PL is right for you.

If you source overseas and sell on Amazon, your inventory passes through more hands than most sellers expect before it ever reaches a fulfillment center. Two of those hands get confused constantly: the freight forwarder and the 3PL prep center. Here is how the inbound flow actually works.

Order accuracy is the share of orders you ship with no errors, and one of the first metrics to check when evaluating a 3PL. Here is what it means, what a good rate looks like, and how to judge a provider's claim.

If you're a start-up eCommerce business owner, or an established one looking to improve your fulfillment process, then this blog post is for you. In it we’ll outline the do's and don'ts of picking and packing fulfillment from my own experience as well as from colleagues in the industry. This will help save time and money on things like inventory storage costs, shipping rates, order errors etc. Read on if you want to know more!

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.

When you're ready to stop self-shipping, picking the right fulfillment center matters. Here's what to check before signing with any 3PL.

Amazon gives buyers a 30-day return window on most FBA orders and handles most of those returns without you. Here is how FBA returns actually work, where they eat your margin, and when a 3PL is the cheaper call.

Ecommerce fulfillment is how an online order gets from your inventory to the customer's door: receiving, storing, picking, packing, and shipping. Here is what it includes, the three models brands use, and how to know when to outsource.

How 3PL integrations actually work for Shopify, WooCommerce, and Amazon stores, what to ask before you switch, and how Simpl fits in. Starting at $7/order.

The Supreme Court struck down IEEPA tariffs in 2026, and CBP's new CAPE process lets importers claim refunds on what they overpaid. Here's how the refund works, who can file, and what's still not refundable.

Ready to stop packing orders yourself? Our comprehensive guide shows eBay sellers exactly when 3PL makes sense and how to choose the right fulfillment partner.

Returns are a real 3PL selection criterion, not an afterthought. How in-house, standalone returns vendors, and 3PL-integrated returns compare on cost, speed, and customer experience.