One of the most confusing parts of evaluating 3PL partners is understanding how pricing actually works. Every 3PL structures their fees differently, and the all-in cost per order is rarely obvious from the rate card alone.**The Four Core Fees**Receiving fees are charged when your inventory arrives at the warehouse. This is typically a flat fee per pallet or a per-unit fee. Receiving covers the labor of unloading, counting, inspecting, and putting away your inventory.Storage fees are charged monthly for the space your inventory occupies. 3PLs typically charge per cubic foot per month or per pallet position per month. A cubic foot per month rate of $0.75 means a product that takes up 2 cubic feet costs $1.50/month to store.Pick and pack fees are charged per order and cover the labor of pulling items from shelves, placing them in a box or mailer, applying a shipping label, and staging for carrier pickup. For a standard single-item order, pick and pack typically runs $2-5.Shipping is passed through at cost — either at retail rates or at the 3PL's discounted carrier rates. Because 3PLs ship high volume, their rates are typically 20-40% lower than what you would pay directly.**What Your All-In Cost Looks Like**For a standard DTC order with one item in a mailer: receiving (amortized) ~$0.20, storage ~$0.30/month, pick and pack ~$3.00, shipping ~$5-8. All-in: roughly $8-12 per order depending on shipping zone.**Hidden Fees to Watch For**Ask specifically about: special handling fees, minimum monthly fees, kitting fees, account setup fees, return processing fees, and fuel surcharges. These can add $1-3 per order to your costs without being obvious in the standard rate card.At 3PLCity, we provide a complete fee schedule upfront with no hidden fees. Every charge is itemized on your monthly invoice.