A UK fulfilment partner isn’t just about storage and shipping. It’s about data, communication, and scaling smart. In this guide, we share the seven things every eCommerce brand should ask before committing to a UK 3PL — from hidden costs to OTIF scores and beyond.
Not all fulfilment partners are built for what you sell. Get clear on your own operational and commercial requirements before you even compare pick fees.
Ask yourself:
Are you selling DTC, B2B, or both?
Do you ship chilled, fragile, or high-value items?
Are you using subscriptions, bundles, or kitting?
Are you managing seasonal demand spikes?
What platforms and tools does your stack rely on? (e.g. Shopify, Mintsoft, Amazon Vendor)
A good 3PL will ask where your business is going — not just where it is now. If they’re not talking forecasts, you’re speaking different languages.
That shiny £1.20 pick fee? It’s rarely the full picture.
You need a clear understanding of your total landed cost per order — including:
Storage (daily or pallet rate?)
Packaging (is it passed through or marked up?)
Admin or rework charges
Returns handling
Carrier fuel surcharges
Monthly account management fees
Ask for a sample invoice. The right partner won’t hesitate to walk you through it. The wrong one will hide behind spreadsheets.
Your fulfilment partner’s tech should give you control, visibility and the confidence to plan ahead.
Look for:
Real-time dashboards for orders, returns and inventory
Seamless integration with your existing stack — Shopify, Mintsoft, WooCommerce, Amazon
Custom rule logic for different product types or customer flows
Forecasting tools (like Prediko) that help you plan smarter
If you’re still relying on email chains to find a parcel — your 3PL’s system is stuck in the past.
Tech is only half the story. When something breaks, it’s humans that fix it.
You need a partner who:
Understands your business inside out
Responds quickly, honestly, and helpfully
Doesn’t hide behind “we’ll get back to you” auto-replies
At We Are Fulfilment, our OSMs (Operational Solutions Managers) don’t just log tickets — they solve problems. And they do it knowing your product, team, and pace of growth.
Everyone says they’re accurate. Fast. Reliable. Prove it.
Ask your 3PL for:
OTIF % (On Time In Full)
Error and returns rates
Peak season performance data
SLA breach reports
Escalation response times
Also: ask to speak with current clients. Founders who've been through Q4 with them are your best reference point.
Today’s a 5k/month brand. Tomorrow? You could be at 25k and launching into retail.
So ask:
Can their warehouse flex up — fast?
Do they support kitting, bundling, gift wrapping, B2B and chilled?
Do they bring anything extra? (At WAF, that’s things like CapRelease, Global Media, Prediko, and data-driven insight.)
A great fulfilment partner isn’t just an operational choice. It’s a growth lever.
There’s no substitute for a warehouse visit. Walk the floor. Meet the team. Trust your gut.
Ask them:
What broke during last peak — and what did they fix?
What happens if a parcel goes unscanned?
How do they train staff on your brand and SKUs?
What happens if you double your order volume next month?
If they’re open, honest, and unflustered by these questions — that’s a great sign.
The wrong fulfilment partner slows you down.
The right one unlocks your next level. Choose the right UK fulfilment partner to drive your growth.
If you're looking for clarity, transparency, and a team that backs your ambition — let’s talk.
📞 Book a 15-minute call with our team
A 3PL (Third-Party Logistics provider) handles more than just storage. They manage your inventory, pick and pack your orders, arrange courier delivery, and often provide returns management, data insights, and integrations with your eCommerce platform.
Start with:
What are your OTIF and error rates?
How do you handle peak volume?
What’s included in your pricing — and what’s extra?
Can I visit your site and meet the team?
OTIF stands for On Time In Full. It measures how often your UK fulfilment partner ships the right items on time. It’s the gold standard for service quality — and poor OTIF leads to missed SLAs, refunds, and unhappy customers.
Look for signs like flexible warehouse space, ability to support kitting/co-packing/B2B, and whether they’ve already supported other brands through scale. Ask for case studies.
We Are Fulfilment can help supercharge your eCom with tailored solutions designed for your needs.
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The We Are Fulfilment team are available weekdays 8am-5pm.
We Are Fulfilment can help supercharge your eCom with tailored solutions designed for your needs.
Please fill out the information opposite, so we can understand how best we could work with you.
The We Are Fulfilment team are available weekdays 8am-5pm.