Types of logistics partner
- 3PL fulfilment: stores your stock, picks, packs and ships orders, and handles returns.
- Freight forwarder: arranges sea, air, road or rail transport for larger shipments.
- Customs broker: prepares customs declarations and helps calculate duties and taxes.
- Couriers and parcel aggregators: discounted rates for parcels.
Cross-border basics
- Incoterms® 2020, published by the International Chamber of Commerce, set out who pays and takes risk at each stage of a shipment. Agree them in every contract.
- EORI numbers are needed to move goods into or out of the UK and EU.
- US: customs brokers are licensed by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP).
- Product codes: the right tariff (HS) code affects duty and paperwork.
Questions to ask a 3PL
- Which platforms and marketplaces do you integrate with?
- What are your cut-off times and order accuracy measures?
- How do you handle returns and damaged stock?
- Where are your warehouses, and can you serve other countries?
- How are storage, pick and pack, and packaging charged?
What affects the cost
Storage space, order volume, items per order, packaging, carriers, destinations, duties and value-added services. Ask for a full rate card and model it against a typical month.
Last updated: 16 October 2026
