Independent 3PL versus supplier-integrated
| Dimension | Independent 3PL | Supplier fulfills |
|---|---|---|
| Inbound freight | You ship stock to them | None, stock is already there |
| Receiving delay | Days on arrival | None |
| Handlers of record | Supplier, then 3PL | One party |
| Lot traceability | Depends on their system | Continuous from production |
| Restock speed | Reorder plus freight | Immediate from the same racks |
What to establish before committing
- Cut-off time, and what happens to an order placed after it
- Whether your SKU is segregated or pooled with identical stock belonging to others
- Who supplies packaging, and whether inserts are yours
- What appears on the label and the return address your customer sees
- Lot traceability, specifically whether they can map an order to a lot months later
- Tracked shipping as standard, because untracked delivery makes every dispute unwinnable and your payment underwriter prices that
The one that costs money later
Pooled versus segregated inventory. Pooled is cheaper and perfectly normal, but it means your
customer’s vial came from a shared pool rather than from stock you own, which changes what you
can honestly say about it. Decide deliberately.
How our lane works
Your inventory sits in our Los Angeles racks under your SKU. Orders dispatch same day before 2pm Pacific, in your packaging, with your paperwork, under your label. Nothing of ours appears on the box.