Third-party logistics (3PL) are considered very essential in the eCommerce world. With 3PL, they will handle your fulfillment for you. They will take care of the packing, picking, storage, and also shipment of your products. Generally, 3PL providers will do a lot of things.
So, what exactly should you expect from your 3PL provider? We’ll be discussing that in this article.
- Product Transportation
The 3PLs do engage carriers, and they also consolidate the less than truckload (LTL) and less than container load (LCL) freights. They will keep track of the insurance documents and freight payment as they work along with private fleets. As you work with your 3PL, it will help to lower your transportation costs. In turn, it will drive efficiencies and develop solutions for the sophisticated challenges in the supply chain.
- IT
Another thing that the 3PL provider will be responsible for is information technology. Too often, the 3PL will use IT to manage eCommerce, transportation, warehouse operations, as well as customer relationships. They will use tools like application programming interface (API), electronic data interchange (EDI), as well as other cloud-based systems. Regardless of the tool that will be used by the 3PL, they will aim at bettering the overall performance in the supply chain processes.
- Global Shipping
It can be complicated and tiresome to sip items globally. Luckily, the 3PL will handle your global shipping logistics. They will handle logistics like freight forwarding, consolidation, as well as customs. With this, you can be sure of less effort. It also saves you time and money for handling all these logistics.
The 3PL will act as the client’s business representative. They will also work hard to ensure all the trade compliance requirements are met and that the costs are handled properly.
Here are other functions of a 3PL provider;
- Warehousing items
- Mail/address handling
- Labeling products
- Staging area for product photography
- Inspecting and storing returns
It is always important to work with a reliable 3PL companies in southern California. Ensure that the 3PL provider you choose will be efficient enough when working with you. Consider that with Sooner Logistics in Southern California.