Choosing a new third party logistics (3PL) provider is a big decision. Whether you’re moving from another warehouse or outsourcing fulfilment for the first time, a smooth onboarding process can make all the difference.
The good news is that switching to a new 3PL doesn’t have to be stressful.
With the right preparation, your transition can be straightforward, allowing you to continue fulfilling orders while setting your business up for long term growth.
At Fulfilpackers, we’ve onboarded numerous ecommerce brands across apparel, beauty, health, supplements, homewares, sporting goods and more. While every business is different, the businesses with the smoothest transitions all have one thing in common: they prepare before their first shipment arrives.
Here’s what you can expect when moving to a new 3PL and how to make the process as seamless as possible.
Step 1: Understand Your Fulfilment Requirements
Before any stock arrives or systems are connected, your new 3PL needs to understand how your business operates.
The more information you can provide upfront, the easier it is to build a fulfilment solution that suits your products, your customers and your long term goals.
During the onboarding process, we’ll take the time to understand things like:
- Your monthly order volume
- Number of active SKUs
- Average items per order
- Packaging requirements
- Kitting or assembly
- B2B orders
- Returns process
- Seasonal peaks and promotions
Every ecommerce business is different. Understanding these requirements early helps us configure your account correctly and ensures we’re ready to support your business from day one.
Step 2: Prepare Your Product Data
Good product data is one of the most important parts of a successful onboarding.
Before sending your first shipment, make sure every SKU includes:
- A unique SKU
- A scannable barcode
- Product dimensions
- Weight
- Product description
- Units per carton
- Country of manufacture (for international shipping)
- HS Commodity Codes where required
It’s also worth checking that the information in your ecommerce platform matches the physical products you’re sending.
We’ve seen onboarding delays caused by duplicate SKUs, incorrect product dimensions, missing barcodes and inventory that doesn’t match the product file provided. Spending a little extra time checking these details before your stock arrives can save significant time later.
Step 3: Connect Your Online Store
Once your products are ready, it’s time to connect your online store to our Warehouse Management System (WMS), Mintsoft.
Mintsoft is the software that powers our warehouse operations. It automatically imports orders from your online store, updates inventory as stock is received and dispatched, and sends tracking information back to your customers. This reduces manual processing, improves accuracy and gives you real time visibility of your orders and inventory.
Fulfilpackers integrates with more than 150 ecommerce platforms and marketplaces through Mintsoft, making it simple to connect your existing store and automate your fulfilment.
Before going live, we’ll make sure:
- Orders import correctly
- Inventory syncs accurately
- Shipping methods are configured correctly
- Tracking notifications are working
- Customer information flows through as expected
Testing everything before launch means your first orders can be fulfilled with confidence from day one.
Step 4: Create Your Warehouse SOPs
Every ecommerce business has different fulfilment requirements, which is why we create Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for every client.
These are the documented instructions our warehouse team follows when handling your products to ensure every order is packed consistently.
Your SOPs might include:
- Packaging preferences
- Marketing inserts
- Free gifts
- Bundle or kitting instructions
- B2B packing requirements
- Fragile item handling
- Returns procedures
- Any special picking or packing notes
Taking the time to document these requirements during onboarding helps eliminate guesswork and ensures your customers receive a consistent experience every time they order.
Step 5: Plan Your First Inbound Shipment
Your first stock delivery is one of the most important stages of onboarding.
Before your shipment arrives, we’ll ask you to submit an Advance Shipping Notice (ASN). This tells our warehouse team exactly what’s arriving and allows us to plan for receiving your inventory.
Your ASN should include:
- Expected delivery date
- Number of cartons or pallets
- Product SKUs
- Expected quantities
- Barcode confirmation
- Any special handling requirements
Providing accurate information before your stock arrives allows us to receive your inventory more efficiently and have your products available for sale sooner.
Common Mistakes That Delay Onboarding
No matter the size of the business, we tend to see the same issues cause unnecessary delays during onboarding.
The most common include:
- Products arriving without barcodes
- Duplicate SKUs
- Incorrect product information
- Missing carton quantities
- Unbooked inbound deliveries
- Last minute product changes
- Leaving store integrations until the last minute
Most of these issues are easily avoided with a little preparation.
The more organised you are before your first shipment arrives, the smoother your onboarding will be and the sooner you’ll be ready to start shipping orders.
Step 6: Receiving Your Inventory
Once your stock arrives at our warehouse, our team gets to work receiving it into inventory.
During this process we’ll:
- Verify the products received against your Advance Shipping Notice (ASN)
- Check quantities
- Scan barcodes
- Record any discrepancies or damaged stock
- Allocate inventory within the warehouse
- Make your products available for sale
If we identify any issues, such as missing products, damaged cartons or barcode discrepancies, we’ll let you know straight away so they can be resolved before they affect your customers.
This is where good preparation really pays off. Accurate ASNs, clearly labelled products and complete product information help us receive your inventory faster and get your products available for sale sooner.
Step 7: You’re Ready to Go Live
Once your inventory has been received and your online store is connected, you’re ready to start shipping orders.
As customers place orders through your online store, they’ll automatically flow into Mintsoft, where our warehouse team will begin picking, packing and dispatching them according to your documented SOPs.
Throughout this process, you’ll have visibility over:
- Inventory levels
- Order status
- Tracking information
- Returns
- Dispatch history
This gives you confidence that your fulfilment is running smoothly while allowing you to focus on growing your business.
Supported Every Step of the Way
Moving to a new 3PL can feel like a big change, which is why clear communication throughout the onboarding process is so important.
At Fulfilpackers, you’ll work with our onboarding and Customer Success team from your initial enquiry through to your first dispatch. We’ll guide you through each stage, answer your questions, and make sure your transition is as smooth as possible.
Throughout onboarding, we’ll help you:
- Understand your fulfilment requirements
- Connect your online store
- Review your product information
- Create your warehouse SOPs
- Coordinate your first inbound shipment
- Configure your account in Mintsoft
- Support you through your go live
Our goal is simple. Make onboarding straightforward, keep you informed at every stage, and give you confidence that your fulfilment is in good hands.
Why Businesses Choose Fulfilpackers
Changing 3PL providers isn’t just about finding warehouse space. It’s about choosing a partner you can rely on.
At Fulfilpackers, we focus on building long term relationships by providing reliable fulfilment, transparent communication and personalised support.
When you partner with us, you’ll benefit from:
- 98% on time dispatch
- 99.9% order accuracy
- Over 150 ecommerce integrations through Mintsoft
- Transparent pricing
- No lock in contracts
- Dedicated local support
- Warehousing, pick and pack, kitting, returns and freight management under one roof
Whether you’re shipping a few hundred orders each month or preparing for your next stage of growth, we’ll work alongside you to build a fulfilment solution that grows with your business.
Ready to Make the Switch?
Moving to a new 3PL doesn’t have to be complicated.
With the right preparation and an experienced team behind you, transitioning your fulfilment can be a smooth and straightforward process, allowing you to spend less time managing logistics and more time growing your business.
If you’re considering changing fulfilment providers or outsourcing fulfilment for the first time, we’d love to show you how Fulfilpackers can help.
Get in touch with our team today for a tailored quote and discover how a dedicated 3PL partner can support your business now and into the future.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does onboarding take?
Every business is different, so onboarding timeframes vary depending on your product range, the complexity of your requirements and how prepared your product information is. Having accurate product data, barcodes and an organised first inbound shipment will help make the process much smoother.
What information do I need before getting started?
We’ll ask for information about your products, including SKUs, barcodes, dimensions, weights and carton quantities. We’ll also work with you to document your fulfilment requirements and connect your online store before your first stock delivery.
What ecommerce platforms does Fulfilpackers integrate with?
Fulfilpackers integrates with more than 150 ecommerce platforms and marketplaces through Mintsoft, including Shopify, WooCommerce, BigCommerce and many more. This allows orders, inventory and tracking information to sync automatically between your store and our warehouse.
Do I need barcodes on every product?
Yes. Every product should have a unique, scannable barcode to ensure inventory is received accurately and orders are picked correctly. If products arrive without barcodes, or the barcodes don’t scan, additional labelling may be required before they can be received into stock.
Can you help if I’m moving from another 3PL?
Absolutely. Whether you’re moving from another fulfilment provider or outsourcing for the first time, our team will guide you through the onboarding process, helping minimise disruption and ensuring your inventory, systems and processes are ready before you go live.
Final Thoughts
Switching to a new 3PL is an opportunity to improve more than just your warehousing.
It’s a chance to streamline your operations, improve inventory accuracy, create a better customer experience and build a fulfilment process that supports your business as it grows.
With good preparation, clear communication and the right fulfilment partner, onboarding doesn’t need to be overwhelming.
At Fulfilpackers, we’ve helped numerous ecommerce brands make the move to outsourced fulfilment, and we’d love to help you do the same. From your first conversation through to your first dispatched order, our team is here to support you every step of the way.