Pick & pack is the operation of selecting (picking) the right items from warehouse storage when an order comes in, then packing them into a shipping carton for dispatch. It's the core unit of 3PL work and the line item brands compare most often.
The longer version.
Pick & pack starts when an order arrives in the 3PL's WMS — it generates a pick list, a warehouse worker (or robot) collects the items from their storage locations, brings them to a packing station, where they're verified, packed into a box with the right protective material, label-printed and dispatched to a carrier. The pick is the act of getting the item; the pack is the act of preparing the parcel.
Key facts.
First pick
The first item picked for an order. Typically priced higher to reflect the per-order setup work.
Additional pick
Each subsequent item in the same order. Lower rate because the order is already 'open'.
AU median first pick
$3.95 at the 500–2,000 orders/month tier
AU median additional pick
$0.95 at the 500–2,000 orders/month tier
Why brands use 3PLs.
- Pick accuracy directly affects refund rate and customer reviews
- Pick speed dictates same-day cutoffs and customer experience
- Pick economics scale with order complexity (1-line vs 5-line orders)
Common pitfalls.
- Comparing 3PLs on first-pick alone, missing the additional-pick rate
- Not getting volume tier breakpoints documented (rates change at 2,000 / 5,000 orders/mo)
- Ignoring SKU complexity in the quote — 3PLs price simple SKUs differently from kitted/multi-piece
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