3PL (Third-Party Logistics)
Quick Answer
A 3PL manages your entire logistics chain — from storage to delivery — allowing you to focus on scaling your business.
What Is 3PL (Third-Party Logistics)?
3PL stands for Third-Party Logistics and refers to specialised companies that deliver fully outsourced logistics and fulfilment services, including inventory storage, order processing, packing, and shipping management.
Full Explanation
Third-party logistics providers act as the operational backbone for e-commerce and retail businesses by taking full responsibility for the fulfilment process. When you partner with a 3PL, your products are received at their warehouse facilities, stored and organised using advanced warehouse management systems, and fulfilled from the moment a customer places an order through to final delivery.
The modern 3PL landscape has evolved far beyond basic storage and shipping services. Today’s providers offer advanced technology integrations that seamlessly connect with platforms such as Shopify, WooCommerce, and Amazon, providing real-time insight into inventory levels, order status, and shipment tracking. 3PLs manage complex operational processes including batch picking for efficiency, quality control procedures, customised packaging requirements, and specialised services such as subscription box assembly and product bundling.
For European e-commerce businesses, working with a 3PL becomes especially valuable when expanding internationally. A strategic 3PL partner operates fulfilment centres across multiple countries, handling country-specific requirements such as VAT compliance, customs documentation, and local carrier integrations. This infrastructure enables businesses to offer competitive delivery times across Europe without the need to build and manage their own international warehouse network.
Why It Matters
Partnering with a 3PL typically reduces fulfilment costs by 25–40% while improving delivery speed and accuracy, enabling businesses to compete with larger retailers without heavy infrastructure investments.
Practical Example
A British electronics retailer selling across Europe can reduce shipping costs by up to 45% and achieve 1–2 day delivery to key markets by using a 3PL with warehouses in the Netherlands, Germany, and France.
How Monta Helps
At Monta, our 3PL services connect over 2,500 webshops to a network of strategically located fulfilment centres, processing more than 100,000 orders per day with a 99.9% accuracy rate.