ShipBob's marketing makes their pricing look straightforward, but we've seen enough brands get surprised by their actual costs to know better. After helping dozens of companies transition away from ShipBob (and honestly, a few transition to them), we've learned exactly where their pricing can bite you.
The biggest issue? ShipBob doesn't publish real rates. Everything requires a custom quote, which sounds personalized but often means you won't know your true costs until you're already committed. Here's what we've observed from working in this industry.
Based on quotes we've seen from prospective clients throughout 2025, here's what ShipBob actually charges:
The implementation fee covers integration setup, but here's what they don't tell you: if your integration hits snags (and they often do), additional dev work gets billed separately. We've seen brands charged extra for "troubleshooting" that should have been included.
ShipBob's 2025 US storage rates:
Here's the catch: ShipBob assigns your storage type, not you. While they claim to use the "smallest possible" option to save you money, we've had clients discover their products were stored inefficiently, driving up monthly costs.
ShipBob's headline feature is "$0 pick and pack for the first 4 units," but this is where their pricing gets clever:
The "free" picking cost gets rolled into their shipping rates, which are typically 15-25% higher than what you'd pay working directly with carriers or through other 3PLs.
ShipBob negotiates decent carrier rates, but they markup those rates significantly. Without published shipping costs, you're flying blind until you're already onboarded. Based on client transitions we've handled, expect:
ShipBob requires a $275 monthly minimum spend on fulfillment services—which sounds reasonable until you realize this is just the floor. This minimum doesn't include:- Storage fees ($40+ per month depending on inventory)- Setup fees ($500-2,500)- Shipping costs (marked up 15-30% over carrier rates)- Returns processing ($3 per return)- Any additional service feesSo while $275 sounds low, your actual monthly bill will be significantly higher once you factor in storage, shipping markups, and other fees. We've seen brands with 50-75 monthly orders paying $600-1,000+ per month when all costs are included.
Tariff Uncertainty: With ongoing trade policy changes, ShipBob's international shipping costs have become less predictable. They've added "tariff adjustment" language to contracts that allows rate changes with limited notice.
Carrier Rate Increases: Industry-wide carrier increases of 5-7% in 2024 have carried into 2025, and ShipBob has passed these through (plus their markup) to clients.
Technology Changes: ShipBob has improved their dashboard analytics, but client onboarding times have actually increased due to more complex integration requirements.
From our experience helping brands transition fulfillment:
Cost Creep: Initial quotes look reasonable, but actual monthly costs often run 20-40% higher once you factor in all fees, minimums, and shipping markups.
Support Inconsistency: While ShipBob has improved, larger clients get dedicated reps while smaller accounts deal with general support queues. Response times vary dramatically.
Inventory Management Issues: We've handled several transitions where brands struggled with ShipBob's inventory allocation system, particularly for multi-warehouse distribution.
Contract Lock-in: ShipBob's agreements can be difficult to exit, with inventory transfer fees and notice requirements that complicate moves.
ShipBob isn't wrong for everyone. They work well for:
Since ShipBob requires quotes for everything:
While ShipBob has scale and technology, other 3PLs often provide better value:
For cost-conscious brands: Regional 3PLs typically offer 20-30% savings on total fulfillment costsFor personalized service: Smaller 3PLs provide dedicated support and flexibility ShipBob can't matchFor transparent pricing: Several competitors publish actual rates instead of requiring quotes
ShipBob's pricing works if you're a medium-to-large brand that values their technology platform and global reach over cost optimization. Their "free" pick-and-pack marketing is misleading—you pay for it through higher shipping rates and various fees.
For smaller brands or those with tight margins, the $275 minimum plus various fees often make ShipBob 25-40% more expensive than alternatives. Always compare total costs, not just the headline rates.
Before committing to any 3PL (including us), get detailed quotes from at least three providers. Factor in all costs—setup, monthly minimums, storage, fulfillment, shipping, and potential overages. The cheapest headline rate rarely reflects your actual monthly bill.
ShipBob's cost per order varies significantly based on your volume and shipping zones, but expect $3-8 per order when factoring in their $0.25 per unit fulfillment fee, storage costs, and marked-up shipping rates. The $275 monthly minimum often pushes smaller brands' per-order costs even higher.
ShipBob requires a $275 monthly minimum spend on fulfillment services (excluding warehousing and receiving). This minimum can significantly impact brands shipping fewer than 75-100 orders per month, often making their effective per-order costs much higher than advertised rates.
Yes, ShipBob charges implementation fees ranging from $0 for their basic self-service plan to $2,500+ for complex integrations. Most businesses pay between $500-$1,500 for standard onboarding, which covers integration setup but may not include troubleshooting or custom requirements.
ShipBob's 2025 storage rates are $40/month per pallet (60 cubic feet), $10/month per shelf (7.1 cubic feet), and $5/month per bin (0.77 cubic feet). ShipBob assigns your storage type based on their assessment, which can sometimes result in higher costs than expected.
Based on our analysis of client transitions, ShipBob typically costs 20-40% more than alternative 3PLs when accounting for all fees, minimums, and shipping markups. They work well for brands prioritizing technology and global reach over cost optimization.
ShipBob doesn't publish shipping rates publicly - they're included in custom quotes. From quotes we've reviewed, expect 15-30% markups over standard carrier rates, with higher markups on expedited shipping services.
Yes, ShipBob charges $3 per return for processing in US facilities, with similar fees at international locations. Return-to-sender (RTS) orders have waived processing fees but you still pay shipping costs to return items to the warehouse.
ShipBob's integration process typically takes 2-4 weeks for standard setups, though complex integrations can take longer. Unlike some competitors, ShipBob doesn't offer trial periods - you must commit fully during the onboarding process.
ShipBob can be challenging for small businesses due to their $275 monthly minimum and various fees. Brands shipping fewer than 100 orders per month often find better value with regional 3PLs or providers without minimum commitments.
While not technically hidden, ShipBob charges additional fees for custom packaging, kitting services, expedited processing, and various surcharges that aren't always disclosed upfront. Always request a comprehensive fee breakdown before committing.
