How to Choose a 3PL for a Peptide Brand
A third-party logistics (3PL) partner stores your stock and ships your orders. For peptides, the first question is whether they will take the product at all. Here is a full checklist.
What a 3PL does
A third-party logistics company receives your inventory, stores it, picks and packs each order, ships it and sends tracking back to your store. You keep selling while someone else handles the boxes.
It makes sense when packing orders is eating the time you should spend selling, or when you are running out of room. Below that point, shipping yourself is often cheaper.
Question 1: Will they accept peptides?
Ask this before anything else. Many warehouses and fulfillment networks will not handle research peptides. Get a clear written yes, and ask what documents they need from you, before you spend time on a quote.
Question 2: How will they store it?
- Is storage climate controlled? Lyophilized peptides keep best cool, dry and out of light.
- Is inventory kept in a secure area with limited access?
- How are damaged or returned units handled?
Question 3: Can they track batches?
Your customers may ask for the certificate that matches their vial. That only works if the 3PL records which batch went into which order. Ask whether they track lot numbers per shipment and whether they ship oldest stock first.
Question 4: How do they connect to your store?
- Which store platforms connect directly?
- How fast do orders arrive, and how fast does tracking come back?
- Is there a way to send orders if you change platforms later?
Question 5: Whose name does your customer see?
The box, packing slip and return address should carry your brand. The 3PL should never contact your customers or appear as the seller.
Question 6: What happens when they get it wrong?
Ask plainly who pays when they ship the wrong item, mislabel a package or lose stock. Get error rates, reship terms and inventory-loss terms in writing.
Question 7: What does it cost?
| Fee | What to ask |
|---|---|
| Setup or onboarding | One time, or none? |
| Receiving | Charged per box, pallet or hour? |
| Storage | Per bin, shelf or pallet per month? |
| Pick and pack | Per order plus per item? |
| Packaging | Included or extra? |
| Monthly minimum | Is there one? |
Model your real month: orders per month, items per order and stock on hand. Compare the total, not the headline per-order fee.
Question 8: Can you test first, and can you leave?
Run a few test orders before going live. Read the contract for term length, notice period and how you get your inventory back if you leave.
Common questions
When should a brand move to a 3PL?
When packing takes time you should spend selling, when you run out of space, or when shipping errors start to cost you customers. Run the numbers on a real month first.
Can a 3PL receive boxes straight from my supplier?
Usually yes. Give your supplier the warehouse address and ask the 3PL how it wants inbound shipments labeled so stock is checked in correctly.
What should I send a 3PL before I go live?
Your product list with batch numbers, packing instructions, insert or packing slip artwork, and the store connection details. Then run test orders.
Buying from us
MPGA Labs does not provide 3PL or fulfillment services. We supply the product: 130+ lyophilized research peptides by the 10-vial box, with open per-vial and per-box prices and no minimum order. Brands that use a 3PL can source boxes from the catalog and have them shipped to their warehouse, free on orders over $500, from Huntington Beach, California. Each batch comes with a COA from Purity Spectrum Analytics, verifiable on the lab's site (testing). For volume pricing, see the wholesale program.