Most brands delay switching 3PLs far longer than they should — worried about disruption, lost stock, or unhappy customers. Here's how to do it properly, and what to check before you commit to a new partner.
Every fulfilment relationship makes sense on day one. The trouble starts when your business changes and your provider doesn't keep pace. If any of these sound familiar, it's worth taking a closer look at whether your current setup is still the right one.
If you're solving the same operational problem with your 3PL for the third month running, it's not a blip — it's a sign the relationship has stopped scaling with you.
Switching 3PLs feels risky because it can go wrong if it's rushed. Done properly, most of that risk disappears.
Phase the transition. Move 10–20% of SKUs first, run both providers in parallel for two to four weeks, then transfer the rest once the new setup is proven.
Time it around a quiet period, not your peak season. Never start a transition heading into your busiest month.
Get inventory counts in writing from your current provider before you request stock transfer, so nothing goes missing in the handover.
The short-term admin cost of switching is almost always recovered within a few months once error rates, stockouts, and lost-sale costs are properly factored in — not just the sticker price of the new contract.
Use this list when you're evaluating a new provider. It's built to surface the gaps that don't show up until you're already committed.
Nexship is built for e-commerce brands that have outgrown a DIY setup or a provider that hasn't kept pace. Direct Shopify and WooCommerce integration, dedicated returns processing handled as a real service rather than an afterthought, and direct relationships with An Post and DPD. Based in Dublin, with EU market access built in from day one.
Our fulfilment cost audit shows you exactly what you're currently spending across shipping, packaging, storage, time, and returns — no commitment, just clarity before you decide.
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