What Should a 3PL Rate Card Include? 12 Line Items Brands Often Miss

When you're evaluating fulfillment providers, a 3PL rate card is one of the most important documents you'll compare. It's also one of the most inconsistent. Two providers can respond to the same RFP with rate cards that look nothing alike, making apples-to-apples comparison harder than it should be. Most brands know to look for the basics: pick and pack, storage, receiving, and returns. But a complete rate card covers significantly more than that. Missing line items don't stay missing for long. They show up later as surprise charges that weren't in your original cost model. Here's what a thorough 3PL rate card should include, and what's commonly left out. --- ## The Standard Line Items (What Most Rate Cards Cover) Before getting to the gaps, it's worth confirming what a baseline rate card should always include. If any of these are missing from a proposal, ask for them before moving forward. ### Pick and Pack Fees This is typically priced per order or per unit, sometimes both. Understand whether the pick fee covers a single unit or a base number of units, and what the per-unit add-on rate is beyond that threshold. The structure matters as much as the number. ### Storage Fees Storage is usually priced per pallet, per bin, or per cubic foot per month. Clarify the unit of measure and how partial periods are billed. A provider who bills for a full month on day two of the month versus one who prorates daily can produce very different actual costs. ### Receiving Fees Receiving is often priced per pallet, per carton, or per unit depending on how the provider handles inbound freight. Make sure you understand whether floor-loaded containers are priced differently from palletized shipments, because they usually are. ### Returns Processing Returns fees are typically charged per unit or per order returned. Ask what "returns processing" actually includes. Some providers include basic inspection and restocking. Others charge separately for inspection, re-bagging, retagging, and disposition decisions. ### Outbound Shipping Most 3PLs pass through carrier costs at their negotiated rates. Make sure you know what carrier mix they use, whether you can bring your own negotiated rates, and how fuel surcharges and accessorial fees flow through to your invoice. --- ## The Line Items Brands Most Often Miss This is where rate cards diverge, and where budget surprises tend to come from. ### Account Setup and Onboarding Fees Many providers charge a one-time setup fee to configure your account, build integrations, and onboard your SKU catalog. These fees range from a few hundred dollars to several thousand depending on complexity. They're not always listed upfront. ### Integration and Technology Fees If your e-commerce platform, ERP, or order management system requires a custom integration, expect a development fee. Beyond that, some providers charge ongoing monthly fees for API access or EDI connectivity. Ask for this to be broken out explicitly. ### Special Projects and Kitting Kitting, bundling, custom labeling, gift wrapping, and promotional inserts are typically billed separately from standard pick and pack. Get a rate per unit or per order for any special project work you anticipate needing. If you run seasonal campaigns or subscription boxes, this line item can be significant. ### Hazmat Handling If any of your products contain lithium batteries, aerosols, or other regulated materials, ask about hazmat handling fees. These are often omitted from standard rate cards but apply to a wide range of consumer products. ### Address Correction and Carrier Surcharges When a carrier applies an address correction charge because of an error in the shipping address, that charge typically gets passed to you. The same goes for residential delivery surcharges, extended area fees, and large package fees. These don't live in the base rate card but they show up on your invoices. ### Disposal and Destruction Fees What happens to slow-moving or expired inventory? If you need product disposed of or destroyed, most providers charge for it. Get the per-unit or per-pallet rate, and ask about the documentation process if you need a certificate of destruction. ### Minimum Monthly Fees Many 3PLs charge a monthly minimum, typically $1,500 to $5,000, to cover account management and overhead regardless of your volume. If your volume is seasonal or variable, understand how minimums apply during slow months. ### Long-Term Storage or Aged Inventory Fees If inventory sits in the warehouse beyond a defined threshold, usually 90 or 180 days, some providers apply a surcharge. This mirrors how Amazon FBA handles aged inventory and is worth clarifying if your SKU mix includes slow-moving items. ### Freight In Coordination Fees If you need your 3PL to manage inbound freight coordination, purchase order tracking, or container booking, those are typically billed as a separate service. Don't assume it's included in receiving. ### Account Management or Customer Service Fees Dedicated account management, reporting access, or priority support tiers are sometimes included at higher volume thresholds but billed separately at lower ones. Understand what level of service is included in the base rate and what costs extra. --- ## Why Rate Card Gaps Are a Red Flag An incomplete rate card isn't always intentional, but it is informative. A provider with a disciplined pricing structure will have thought through every service line. Gaps in the rate card often reflect gaps in operational maturity or a pricing approach that leaves room to add charges later. When you receive a rate card, compare it against this list. Any line item that applies to your business but isn't addressed is worth flagging directly. A straightforward question to a provider about missing fees is a good early test of how transparent they'll be once you're a client.