Handing your warehousing, fulfilment, and delivery to a third party is one of the highest-leverage decisions a growing business makes. You are in good company: nearly 62% of manufacturers and 57% of retailers now use third-party logistics to simplify distribution, and the global 3PL market has grown to roughly US$1.4 trillion in 2025, expanding close to 9–10% a year (Global Growth Insights). The right 3PL partner becomes invisible infrastructure; the wrong one becomes a daily source of friction. Before you sign, ask these seven questions.
The seven questions that matter
- 1. What is your on-time delivery rate? Ask for a real, measured number — a partner that tracks performance (Intact runs at 98% on-time) is one that manages it.
- 2. How do you handle peak season? Capacity in November tells you far more than capacity in February. Ask how they flex space and labour for the holidays.
- 3. What visibility will I have? Real-time tracking and live inventory data should be standard, not a premium add-on.
- 4. How exactly do you price? Watch for hidden fees on receiving, storage, pick-and-pack, and returns. Ask for a sample invoice.
- 5. Can you scale with me? Your partner should absorb 10x volume without a disruptive rip-and-replace.
- 6. Do you own the whole chain? Partners who combine warehousing and delivery in-house avoid the finger-pointing that plagues multi-vendor setups.
- 7. Who is my point of contact? A named account manager beats an anonymous ticket queue every time.
Why integration matters most
Of all seven, question six is the quiet differentiator. When the same team picks, packs, and delivers your orders, accountability is clear and problems get solved in one phone call instead of three. A warehouse that sub-contracts delivery introduces a seam — and seams are where shipments get lost and blame gets passed. The strongest 3PLs control both storage and transport under one roof.
Red flags to watch for
Be cautious of vague performance answers, pricing that “depends,” reluctance to share references, or technology that cannot show you where your inventory is right now. A modern 3PL should be transparent on all four.
Frequently asked questions
What is a 3PL?
A third-party logistics provider manages outsourced supply-chain functions — typically warehousing, fulfilment, and transportation — so you can focus on selling rather than shipping.
When should a business move to a 3PL?
When order volume outgrows your space and time, when you are expanding to new regions, or when slow fulfilment starts costing sales.
Is a 3PL cheaper than doing it in-house?
For most growing businesses, yes — you trade fixed costs (leases, equipment, staff) for variable costs that scale with volume, and you gain access to established delivery networks.
Get a Free Quote
Evaluating 3PL partners? Contact Intact Courier & Logistics for a free consultation. We combine warehousing, fulfilment, and same-day delivery under one accountable agreement — operating since 2018 with 350+ drivers and a 98% on-time record.