Fulfillment infrastructure

ShipBob & 3PL Systems due diligence

Published · Reviewed by The Diligence Standard Team · Updated

A 3PL relationship affects inventory accuracy, delivery promises, returns and working capital. The operational contract and data, not the logo, determine transferability.

Evidence to request

  • Executed 3PL agreement, pricing schedules and renewal terms
  • Inventory ledger reconciled to warehouse and accounting records
  • Receiving, storage, pick-pack, shipping, return and exception fees
  • Order accuracy, damage, loss, claim and service-level history
  • Storefront, carrier, EDI, API and user-access map
  • Aged, reserved, quarantined and geographically stranded inventory

Transfer risks

  • Seller pricing or credit terms do not continue
  • Inventory quantities or ownership do not reconcile
  • Peak surcharges and exception fees are excluded from margins
  • Critical workflows depend on undocumented manual work

Control-change sequence

  • Obtain written 3PL guidance for assignment or buyer onboarding.
  • Reconcile inventory before control and allocate shrinkage or claims.
  • Test order, cancellation, return and reporting integrations.

Customer agreements, integrations, warehouse coverage, service levels and account changes vary by provider and negotiated contract.