Fulfillment Costs in 2026: What Fulfillment Really Costs

What cost factors determine the fulfillment price?

Fulfillment costs typically consist of several components, which are weighted and billed differently depending on the provider. These include storage costs—which are usually calculated based on floor space, pallet space, or volume—as well as the costs for “pick & pack,” that is, the picking and packing of each individual order. Added to these are the actual shipping costs, which depend on weight, package size, destination country, and the selected shipping carrier, as well as the costs for processing returns. Many providers also charge a fixed base fee or require a minimum order volume, regardless of the actual order volume.

A Comparison of Typical Pricing Models

Essentially, two pricing philosophies have become established in the market. On the one hand, there are providers that operate with fixed base fees and minimum order quantities—a model that is particularly predictable for established brands with consistently high order volumes. On the other hand, there are purely usage-based models, in which only the actual volume incurred is billed. For growing brands or those with seasonal fluctuations in particular, a model without fixed costs is much easier to plan for, since costs increase in proportion to revenue.

Hidden Costs to Watch Out For

In addition to the obvious cost factors, it’s worth taking a closer look at potential hidden fees: setup fees during onboarding, minimum purchase quantities for packaging materials, surcharges for bulky items or non-standard sizes, and costs for integrating with your own online store system can significantly increase your actual fulfillment costs. A reputable provider will transparently disclose all cost factors before the first contract is signed.

Conclusion: How to Compare Fulfillment Providers the Right Way

If you want to compare fulfillment providers, you should never look solely at the shipping cost; instead, you should evaluate all cost components together—including any base fees and minimum order quantities. With Logiful, these fixed costs are completely eliminated. For more information, see the article “Is There a Minimum Order Volume?”