3PL guide
What is a 3PL?
A 3PL is a company that manages your warehousing, packaging, distribution, and order shipping needs for you.
Third-party logistics, explained simply.
3PL means third-party logistics. It is an outsourced service, similar to what companies use for IT, payroll, or other specialized business functions.
For an ecommerce company, the 3PL becomes the team that receives products, organizes inventory, prepares orders, packs parcels, and coordinates shipping.
An external team that becomes an extension of your operations.
What Tandem brings to your operation
Specialized operation
Access the efficiency of a specialized company that handles warehousing and inventory management.
Custom solutions
We value custom work. We listen closely and bring solution expertise to real operational constraints.
Buying power
Benefit from a supplier network and the purchasing power of a high-volume operation.
Benefits of a 3PL
If you want to simplify warehouse management, work with an organization built around teamwork, and bring the resources needed to distribute orders under one roof, Tandem is the solution.
Complete solution
Inventory management, order preparation, shipping, and delivery: Tandem handles the logistics of your online store.
Flexible labor
Sales fluctuate. Tandem gives you the personnel you need, when you need them.
Preferred rates
By combining the shipping volume of our customers, we help you benefit from competitive rates through multiple partners.
Insurance and security
We handle insurance and monitoring so your team can keep focusing on the business.
Supplier network
We give you access to trusted suppliers that save your team time.
Professional experience
Logistics and shipping are our specialty, and our team knows the solutions that keep operations moving.
Inbound stock, inventory, and locations synchronized.
Products organized and ready to move.
Orders prioritized, picked, and packed.
Labels, carriers, and tracking connected.
Timing, costs, and exceptions visible continuously.
3PL questions
What is a 3PL?
A 3PL is an external logistics partner that manages storage, picking, packing, shipping, and order tracking for a company.
When should an ecommerce brand use a 3PL?
When order preparation takes too much time, volume changes quickly, or the team wants to reduce errors, delays, and logistics costs.
Is Tandem a Montreal 3PL?
Yes. Tandem serves ecommerce brands in Montreal and Quebec from its 3PL warehouse in Longueuil.
How much does a 3PL cost in Canada?
Cost depends on volume, storage space, order count, picking, packing, materials, returns, and carriers. Tandem starts by understanding your operation before recommending the right structure.
Can a small ecommerce brand work with a 3PL?
Yes, especially when logistics starts taking too much time or slowing sales. A small ecommerce brand should look for a flexible partner with clear minimums and room to grow.
What should you ask before choosing a 3PL?
Ask how pricing works, which minimums apply, how inventory syncs, which carriers are available, how errors are handled, and what day-to-day visibility your team will have.
Can a 3PL connect to Shopify, WooCommerce, or Amazon?
Yes. A strong ecommerce 3PL should connect sales channels to the WMS so orders, inventory, shipment statuses, and tracking numbers stay synchronized.
How are returns and exceptions handled by a 3PL?
Returns and exceptions need a clear process: receiving, inspection, inventory updates, problem-shipment tracking, and fast communication with your team.
How long does it take to start with a 3PL?
The timeline depends on your platforms, inventory preparation, SKU count, and packing rules. A good launch starts with clean data, identified products, and clear operating expectations.
Sources and verification
These official references support the definitions and technology descriptions on this page. Tandem-specific commitments are confirmed in the applicable quote and agreement.
- Statistics Canada — monthly retail ecommerce sales
- ShipHero — inventory workflows
- ShipHero — order fulfillment workflows
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