A UK order fulfilment cost is made up of goods-in, storage, pick-and-pack and postage, with returns handled separately when they occur. For a simple single-item parcel, the indicative industry ranges below can put the listed cost components around £5–£9 per order, but they are not a quotation and do not include separately billed consumables.
What's included in a per-order fulfilment cost?
A per-order fulfilment cost is not one number. A typical UK e-commerce order can involve receiving stock into the warehouse, holding it in storage, picking and packing it, and sending it with a carrier. Returns processing is an additional charge when an order comes back.
Providers can present these costs as a flat order fee, separate activity rates or a bundle. A useful proposal makes the components clear, so it is possible to see what is driving the total rather than comparing a headline figure in isolation.
Consumables are billed separately by Pro FS. This can include the packaging materials used for an order, so they should be allowed for alongside pick-and-pack when building a budget.
What do UK 3PLs typically charge?
The following are indicative UK industry ranges, not published Pro FS prices and not a quotation. They are planning examples: the applicable charge for a particular operation depends on its order profile, stock and carrier requirements.
| Activity | Indicative UK industry range |
|---|---|
| Pick-and-pack, first item | £1.50–£3.50 per order |
| Pick-and-pack, each additional item | £0.30–£0.60 per item |
| Goods-in | £10–£20 per pallet |
| Storage, pallet | £0.35–£0.60 per pallet, per day |
| Storage, tote | £0.05–£0.15 per tote, per day |
| Royal Mail Tracked 48 postage | £3.00–£4.00 per parcel |
| EVRi postage | £2.80–£3.50 per parcel |
| DPD next-day postage | £5.00–£7.00 per parcel |
| Returns processing | £1.50–£3.00 per return |
Compare the VAT treatment stated in each proposal. The ranges above do not establish whether a supplier's prices include VAT.
What does a 1,000-order month look like?
This illustration uses the midpoint of the ranges above. It assumes 1,000 single-item orders sent with Royal Mail Tracked 48 and 10 pallets in storage for a 30-day month.
- Pick-and-pack: 1,000 orders × £2.50 = £2,500
- Storage: 10 pallets × 30 days × £0.475 per pallet per day = £142.50
- Postage: 1,000 parcels × £3.50 = £3,500
- Total of the listed costs: £6,142.50, or roughly £6.14 per order
Goods-in and returns are excluded because the example assumes no new pallet delivery and no returns that month. Consumables are also billed separately, so this is not an all-in cost per order. Its VAT treatment should likewise be checked in a provider's proposal.
The purpose of the example is to show the shape of the calculation. Postage can be the largest component, with pick-and-pack next; storage can be a smaller element where stock moves reasonably quickly.
What changes the cost per order?
Order profile matters. Multi-item orders generally take more handling than single-item orders, while weight and dimensions can move a parcel into a different carrier price band. Branded packaging, tissue and inserts can add to the cost of an order because consumables are billed separately.
Storage turnover is another lever. Stock that moves quickly occupies space for fewer days than slow-moving stock. Return rate also matters, because each return can create a separate processing charge on top of the original outbound order. Volume can affect unit rates, but the result still needs to be tested against the actual mix of orders, SKUs and carrier services.
Why does day-rate storage matter?
Some providers charge storage from a month-end snapshot; others charge by the day. Pro FS charges storage by the day: a pallet that arrives and sells within 20 days of a 31-day month is charged for 20 days of storage, rather than the whole month.
A storage rate only becomes meaningful once the charging method is clear. When comparing proposals, ask how stock movements, daily occupancy and slow-moving inventory are reflected in the calculation.
Is there a minimum with Pro FS?
The stated Pro FS minimum is £4,000 monthly spend or 1,000 orders per month.
Which operating metrics matter?
Price is only one part of a fulfilment comparison. Pro FS publishes an order error rate of 1 in 10,000, real-time inventory accuracy of 99.99% and same-day dispatch until 2pm. Look at those measures alongside the total cost, the agreed service levels and the needs of your operation.
FAQ
Is pick-and-pack the only per-order charge?
No. Postage can be a major line on an invoice, while goods-in, storage and returns processing can also affect the total. Consumables are billed separately by Pro FS.
Do storage costs really change every month?
They can, especially where storage is charged by daily occupancy. The total will depend on how long stock occupies space and on the pricing method used in the proposal.
How should I compare 3PL quotes?
Ask every provider to price the same worked example: the same order count, item mix, stock profile, carrier service, returns assumptions and consumables. Compare VAT treatment, minimums and every included or separate charge. Be specific.
