E-commerce logistics pricing: how much does a 3PL really cost in 2025?

E-commerce logistics has become one of the most strategic cost items for online merchants. Yet it is also one of the most poorly understood subjects: prices vary enormously from one provider to another, some 3PLs use opaque models, and it can sometimes be difficult to know exactly how much order fulfilment, storage, or returns management really costs.

In 2025, with constantly rising volumes, increasing carrier costs, and growing demand for fast delivery, brands want to understand precisely what they are paying — and above all what a high-performing logistics model can help them gain.

This article explains in detail the e-commerce logistics pricing of a 3PL in 2025, what influences prices, hidden costs to avoid, modern pricing models, and how to identify the most cost-effective solution for your business.

What is the average cost of a 3PL in 2025? (direct answer)

On average, in Europe, the pricing of an e-commerce logistics provider in 2025 falls within the following ranges:

• Order fulfilment (Pick & Pack): between 3 € and 7 €
• Storage: from 8 € to 30 € per m³ / month (or per m² depending on the model)
• Returns management: between 1.50 € and 4.50 € per return depending on the sector
• Integration fees: sometimes 50 to 500 € depending on the provider
• Monthly subscriptions: between 49 € and 400 € with traditional 3PLs
• Shipping: depends on the carrier, weight, and destination

The differences between each 3PL are significant, as each pricing model includes — or excludes — services in order to artificially influence the displayed price.

One of the key points in 2025 is the rise of 3PLs adopting subscription-free, no-minimum, no-hidden-costs models, in the style of Yaslan. This model is increasingly sought after by e-merchants who want precise control over their costs and logistics aligned with their actual volume.

How is e-commerce logistics pricing structured?

To understand what your logistics really costs, you first need to break down each element of the process.

Contrary to a widespread belief, the "price per order" is only the tip of the iceberg. The final cost depends on a set of items that add up:

• storage, which represents a fixed cost
• picking, often variable depending on the number of items
• packaging, which depends on the format and material
• labelling
• quality control
• shipping, which varies depending on the carrier
• returns management, often billed separately
• technical integrations

A transparent provider will show you each of these elements clearly, with a simple and stable price.
An opaque provider will spread them across several lines and create an impression of an "attractive" price that, once additional fees are added, becomes considerably higher.

Pick & Pack pricing: how much does order fulfilment cost?

Order fulfilment is the most visible pricing element.
In 2025, prices vary mainly depending on:

• the number of items in the order
• the fragility of the products
• the complexity of the packaging
• personalisation requirements
• the pace required (same-day shipping, late cut-off, etc.)

In general:

• Simple order (1 to 2 items) → between 3.00 € and 4.50 €
• Multi-product order → between 4.50 € and 7.00 €
• Custom packaging / inserts / cards → surcharge depending on provider

What really makes the price vary is not the preparation itself, but the quality of service associated with it:
accurate picking, care taken with packaging, no errors, speed.

At Yaslan, for example, the price is deliberately simple:
👉 no subscription, no hidden fees, you pay only for fulfilment and shipping.

Storage pricing: an underestimated cost

Storage can be charged:

• per m²,
• per m³,
• per pallet space,
• or per SKU location.

The cost depends on:

• stock turnover,
• the volume occupied,
• the nature of the products (fragile, bulky),
• the geographical zone.

In Belgium, prices are particularly competitive compared to France or the Netherlands, whilst offering a perfect location for shipping across all of Europe within 24–48 h.

For many brands, storage represents a "fixed" item, but it can be optimised by:
✔ reducing dormant products
✔ avoiding overly bulky collections
✔ improving the turnover of best-sellers
✔ opting for a flexible 3PL (like Yaslan) that charges by usage

Shipping costs: the most variable element

Shipping accounts for 40 to 60 % of the logistics budget.

Prices depend on:

• the origin (Belgium = strategic advantage)
• the country of delivery
• the weight and volume
• the carrier
• the format (box, pouch, fragile, express…)

A good 3PL uses a multi-carrier model, enabling it to:

• reduce costs,
• choose the most relevant provider,
• avoid price increases from a single carrier,
• optimise lead times by zone.

E-merchants rarely internalise these optimisations: this is one of the main reasons why outsourcing becomes profitable beyond a certain volume.

Returns costs: the element many forget

In certain sectors — fashion, accessories, cosmetics — the returns rate is high.
A return generally costs:

• parcel reception
• scanning
• quality control
• return to stock
• reporting

On average:
👉 between 1.50 € and 4.50 € per return.

A good 3PL minimises returns costs by:
✔ accelerating return to stock,
✔ reducing errors,
✔ streamlining the customer flow,
✔ automating return notifications.

At Yaslan, processing is clear, fast, and transparent — which improves stock turnover and reduces lost revenue.

The pricing traps of traditional providers

In 2025, many 3PLs still use opaque models:

• mandatory monthly subscription
• imposed order minimums
• technical integration fees
• stock inbound fees
• customer support fees
• stock outbound fees
• returns management fees
• surcharges for rush periods

These systems create an impression of low prices… which becomes considerably higher once ancillary costs are added.

Brands that compare quotes are often surprised:
👉 a provider without subscription or hidden fees works out cheaper, even if the displayed "price per order" appears slightly higher.

The subscription-free model: the new standard for SMEs

Brands want simple, flexible, no-commitment logistics.
This is what is driving the explosion in models that are:

✔ subscription-free
✔ minimum-free
✔ with no hidden line items
✔ pay-per-use
✔ clear pricing

This model — adopted by Yaslan — is particularly well-suited to growing companies, because:

• it creates no financial pressure,
• it naturally accompanies volume variations,
• it avoids unpleasant surprises on the invoice.

In a period where e-commerce margins are fragile, this transparency becomes a competitive advantage.

From what point does a 3PL become profitable?

On average:
👉 between 200 and 400 orders per month, i.e. 8 to 15 orders per day.

Why this threshold?

Because beyond this volume:

• time lost internally costs more than the external service,
• errors increase,
• logistics blocks growth,
• you need to hire or expand your space,
• customer experience deteriorates rapidly.

But for certain brands, profitability arrives from the very first order, if logistics:

• is holding back growth,
• is consuming too much time,
• is preventing marketing campaigns from being launched,
• is blocking collections.

That is why Yaslan imposes no minimum: you outsource when it becomes profitable for you, not for the provider.

Comparison: in-house logistics vs outsourced

Here is what in-house logistics really costs:

Visible costs:

• packaging
• labels
• equipment
• storage / premises
• transport

Invisible costs:

• time spent (sometimes 2–4 h per day)
• picking errors
• poorly managed returns
• dissatisfied customers
• poor stock rotation
• lack of space
• inability to absorb peaks

A 3PL removes the majority of these invisible costs and transforms your logistics into a growth lever.

Example: how Yaslan applies simple and transparent pricing

Yaslan has deliberately chosen a different model:

• No subscription
• No volume minimum
• Clear and readable pricing
• Payment only on usage
• No hidden fees
• Human responsiveness
• Shipping from Belgium for ultra-fast European lead times

This model meets the modern expectations of brands: flexibility, transparency, and efficiency.

CTA — Get your pricing estimate in less than 24 h

Would you like to know the exact cost of your logistics?

🎁 –30 % on order fulfilment for the first 5 Yaslan clients.

👉 Contact Yaslan to receive a precise and transparent estimate.

FAQ — E-commerce logistics pricing (SEO-optimised)

1. What is the average price of a 3PL in 2025?

Between 3 € and 7 € per order, plus storage and shipping.

2. Why do prices vary so much?

Because each provider includes or excludes certain services (support, integration, returns…).

3. Are subscriptions useful?

Rarely. They create unnecessary fixed costs for SMEs.

4. Is storage expensive?

It depends on the volume and turnover. Usage-based models are the most economical.

5. What is a subscription-free model?

A model where you only pay for what you ship — with no fixed fees.

6. From when is outsourcing profitable?

Generally from 8 to 15 orders per day, sometimes even sooner.