Fulfilment Services FAQs
Our fulfilment team has put together a shortlist of the most common fulfilment questions and answers.
If we haven’t answered your question, please speak to one of our Fulfilment experts on 0344 264 8000.
Frequently Asked Fulfilment Questions
Is a 3PL cheaper than in-house fulfilment?
For most growing brands, a 3PL converts the fixed cost of warehousing, staff and systems into a variable per-order cost, which is usually cheaper until volumes are high and predictable enough to justify running fulfilment in-house.
How do I compare two 3PL quotes fairly?
To compare quotes fairly, request a total modelled monthly invoice using three months of your real order and SKU data. Account for minimum spend commitments, software fees and VAT, then divide the total projected monthly bill by total order count to identify the true cost per order.
What does it cost to fulfil EU orders from the UK after Brexit?
You either ship per order from the UK (customs admin and possible duty each time) or hold EU stock (a second storage cost but in-region delivery, such as ILG’s Wroclaw facility). GPSR compliance also requires an EU-based Responsible Person, charged annually per SKU.
Why does a premium 3PL cost more than a standard one?
Branded packaging, gift messaging, condition-graded returns, a named account manager and a contractual accuracy SLA all add cost. A brand shipping in a branded box with a gift card pays more per order than one shipping in a poly bag.
What hidden charges should I ask about before signing a 3PL contract?
Ask about long-term storage penalties, minimum monthly charges, peak surcharges, setup or integration fees, WMS access fees and special handling for fragile items. These are legitimate charges, but they’re often absent from the headline rate.
How are 3PL storage fees calculated?
3PL storage in the UK is usually charged per pallet per month, typically £10 to £30, though some providers charge per shelf, bin or cubic metre. The rate varies with location, access frequency and any minimum commitment.
What is a typical pick and pack rate in the UK
Pick and pack rates in the UK generally range from £0.45 per order for high-volume, single-item orders to £2.60 or more for complex orders with multiple SKUs or specialised packaging. Pricing is typically structured as a base order fee plus a smaller charge per additional item picked.
How much does a 3PL cost in the UK?
An all-in benchmark cost for UK 3PL fulfilment typically ranges between £1 and £3 per order for standard products. The total depends on your volume, SKU count, packaging and shipping profile, with pick and pack and storage making up most of the bill.
Is ILG able to offer organic fulfilment?
Yes! ILG has three facilities organic certified by the Soil Association. This means we are compliant with European organic regulations (EC) No 834/2007 and (EC) No 889/2008 and we can fulfill e-commerce and retail orders for all kinds of organic brands.
Read more about our organic fulfilment services here
Do your fulfilment services have any minimum charges or order volumes?
We typically work with brands processing over 500 e-commerce orders per month, as this is where our fulfilment services add the most value and are most cost-effective for both parties. That said, we review every enquiry individually and are happy to make exceptions where it makes sense. So, please do get in touch even if you’re currently below this volume.
How long does it take for my orders to start shipping through ILG?
Usually, we suggest around 16-20 weeks for your implementation. Depending on the complexity of the work involved it may take longer, but this is normally ample time for us to create and test IT solutions, receive your stock, set you up with our account management function and agree all your requirements.
Where are your warehouses?
Our fulfilment facilities are based in the South and Midlands regions of the UK, all within easy reach of London. We also have a facility in Wroclaw, Poland. In total we operate 12 sites and manage over 545,000 square feet of flexible warehouse space. As part of Yusen Logistics, we also have access to a global network of bases, including 104 warehousing and distribution sites in mainland Europe.
Find an ILG fulfilment centre here
How do your warehousing and fulfilment charges work?
We give you a schedule of charges that includes all our fees for providing your warehousing and fulfilment. Our pricing is activity-based and tailored to match your profile. Read more about our Fulfilment Pricing here. We also provide a set of global delivery tariffs which details prices to each destination.
What about insurance?
When your goods are in our warehouses or in transit, they are covered on a limited liability basis in line with our terms and conditions. For full coverage, a separate insurance policy is required which can usually be added to your existing policy. You can either source the additional policy yourself, or we can introduce you to the right specialist.
Can you help with importing my goods from overseas?
Yes, we offer competitively priced international import services from all over the world to bring back your goods safely to the UK. Our highly knowledgeable and experienced ILG Customer Service Team can assist with your customs clearance too.
Do you offer bonded warehouse facilities?
No, currently we don’t provide bonded warehouse facilities.
Do you provide fulfilment for international customers?
Yes, we regularly service customers from all over the world. We may require some additional information as part of the implementation process and a deposit to secure credit terms.
How do ILG’s fulfilment services work?
We integrate our IT systems with yours so that order and inventory information can be exchanged accurately and easily. We learn your packing requirements, align ourselves with your brand and ensure your orders are efficiently picked, personalised, packaged and sent to destinations worldwide. Our systems then exchange data with yours to update records with relevant information and costs.
Why should I outsource my order fulfilment?
Outsourcing takes away the effort and stress of managing the fulfilment process yourself, so you can focus on what’s most important, growing your business. Our outsourced fulfilment services provide accurate, efficient fulfilment backed by flexible costs and a wide variety of fast international shipping options. The streamlined process of outsourced fulfilment also ensures that as your business grows, your logistics keep up with increased demand.
What is order fulfilment?
Order fulfilment is the process of receiving an order (usually from a website) through to picking, packing and delivering the purchased items to your customer.
Read our latest fulfilment and delivery insights >
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Every 3PL structures its quote differently, which is exactly why comparing fulfilment pricing is so frustrating. We break down the real cost components, what pushes them up or down, and what a premium operation adds that a commodity 3PL doesn’t.