Every subscription box company eventually reaches a tipping point when company growth and order volume starts to impact fulfillment. Eventually, fulfilling orders inhouse requires excessive time and money while delivering less consistency. Whether you’re shipping curated lifestyle boxes, monthly replenishment products, or exclusive member kits, these logistics problems can quickly impact the customer experience and customer retention rates.
That’s why selecting the right third-party logistics (3PL) provider is key for your business’s survival and growth. However, with so many 3PLs claiming subscription box expertise, finding one that truly delivers on those promises requires extensive research and deep industry knowledge.
To help you make an informed decision, we’ve analyzed leading 3PL companies and selected five that excel across key performance areas of subscription box fulfillment. This guide covers their key strengths and core services as well as the subscription models they handle best.
Top 3PL companies for subscription box fulfillment
| 3PL provider | Key strengths |
|---|---|
| Red Stag Fulfillment |
|
| eFulfillment Service |
|
| MAI Fulfillment |
|
| NFI Industries |
|
| Renewal Logistics |
|
| ShipBob |
|
Pro tip: Running an ecommerce company that ships oversized or heavy products? Red Stag Fulfillment can help—we specialize in handling large, bulky, and heavy items with precision—and back every order with fulfillment service guarantees that protect your bottom line. Learn more about our 3PL services today.
Red Stag Fulfillment
01
Core services
Subscription box fulfillment
Ecommerce, retail, and D2C fulfillment
Kitting, bundling, nesting, and light assembly
Reverse logistics (returns management and processing)
Storage and warehousing
Amazon fulfillment (FBA prep, Seller Fulfilled Prime, FBM fulfillment)
Standout characteristics and strengths:
Top-tier customer service—They have dedicated account managers for each client.
Low initial cost—The initial setup and onboarding are free, and they have no monthly order minimums, which is ideal for early-stage subscription box businesses.
Strong track record—The company has over two decades of experience in the fulfillment industry.
Clear pricing—Their cost structure is simple and transparent, with no hidden fees.
Why we’re a good fit for subscription box fulfillment
Red Stag’s industry-leading guarantees make us particularly well-suited for subscription box businesses where customer experience is everything. Our zero-shrinkage policy means your inventory investment is protected, while our 99.99% pick-and-pack accuracy ensures subscribers get exactly what they expect every month.
Combined with our same-day shipping capabilities, you can launch and scale your subscription service without worrying about the fulfillment failures that damage subscriber retention.
Request a subscription box fulfillment quote today.
eFulfillment Service
02
Core services:
Subscription box fulfillment
Ecommerce and retail fulfillment
Kitting and light assembly
Reverse logistics (returns management and processing)
Storage and warehousing
Preparation service for the Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA) shipments
Standout characteristics and strengths:
Top-tier customer service—They have dedicated account managers for each client.
Low initial cost—The initial setup and onboarding are free, and they have no monthly order minimums, which is ideal for early-stage subscription box businesses.
Strong track record—The company has over two decades of experience in the fulfillment industry.
Clear pricing—Their cost structure is simple and transparent, with no hidden fees.
Why they’re a good fit for subscription box fulfillment
The company’s kitting capabilities and absence of order minimums make them particularly well-suited for curation model subscription boxes, as you can launch with just a few hundred subscribers without penalty fees. The company is an ideal partner for growing subscription businesses that prioritize predictable costs and hands-on support over ultra-fast shipping speeds.
MAI Fulfillment
03
Core services:
Business-to-business (B2B) and direct-to-consumer (DTC) omnichannel fulfillment
Subscription box fulfillment
Value-added services—kitting, bundling, and custom packaging
Freight brokerage
Amazon FBA prep
Storage
Standout characteristics and strengths:
Reliable same-day shipping capabilities—Orders received by 2 p.m. ship the same day, which means new subscribers receive their current month’s box without delay.
Integrated contact center—They can handle subscriber enquiries (as an add-on, separate service).
End-to-end support subscription box fulfillment—MAI Fulfillment can handle the entirety of the supply chain, from system integrations to final mile shipping.
High-touch service—The company provides high levels of customization for packaging, kitting, and brand presentation.
Pay-as-you-go service plans and low initial fees—Most services are available without long-term contracts or monthly order minimums.
Food-grade certified facilities—MAI Fulfillment’s warehouses are certified by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the American Institute of Baking (AIB), making them ideal for subscription box services offering food products.
Versatile integrations—Their proprietary WMS natively integrates with over 100 ecommerce platforms and marketplaces, covering virtually any sales channel a subscription box might use (e.g., Shopify, WooCommerce, Cratejoy, Amazon, etc.).
Why they’re a good fit for subscription box fulfillment
Because of their kitting expertise, high-touch approach, and proprietary WMS, MAI Fulfillment is a strong fit for nearly all types of subscription models at small-to-mid scale.
The company’s cost-effective central shipping might also lower fulfillment costs for businesses with predictable shipping patterns, like replenishment subscriptions.
NFI Industries
04
Core services:
Omnichannel fulfillment and logistics
Subscription box fulfillment
Custom value-added services (kitting, bundling, packaging)
Supply chain management
Shipping
Transport and transportation management
Freight brokerage
Port services
Standout characteristics and strengths:
Assets and resources—With over 70 million square feet of warehouse space, NFI is one of North America’s largest 3PLs, which allows them to handle significant volume growth without service disruptions or the need to switch providers.
Adaptability—Their asset ownership and scale allow them to meet demand fluctuations during peak seasons.
Strong end-to-end logistics solutions—They can handle inbound logistics (ocean/air freight of your products), warehousing, fulfillment, and final-mile delivery.
Advanced WMS and OMS—Their systems offer real-time inventory visibility and order status tracking, and they integrate with all major subscription platforms.
Fast shipping—They offer one- and two-day delivery across 99.5% of the United States.
Why they’re a good fit for subscription box fulfillment
NFI Industries brings enterprise-scale capabilities to subscription box fulfillment through their robust ecommerce division.
Their end-to-end service can cover the complete subscription box fulfillment: receiving supplier products, storing inventory across their network, assembling custom-branded kits, and delivering scheduled shipments. This streamlined approach works well for scaling mid-to-large subscription companies.
Renewal Logistics
05
Core services:
Retail, ecommerce, and subscription box fulfillment
Stock refurbishment, restoration, reticketing, and repackaging
Amazon FBA
Inventory management and distribution
Returns management
Standout characteristics and strengths:
Apparel expertise—They specialize in apparel, fabric, and textiles, with deep expertise in textile restoration that minimizes waste.
High-level returns management—Their returns management services include inspection, cleaning, repair, and repackaging.
Reliable accuracy at peak demand—Over 2,500 seasonal workers minimize delays when demand grows.
Why they’re a good fit for subscription box fulfillment
Renewal Logistics is an excellent fit for fashion, beauty, and other high-touch subscription boxes where quality and presentation are top priorities.
They’re also well-suited for sustainable or circular subscription models that reclaim, rent, or refurbish items—such as kids’ clothing rental subscriptions or high-end handbag rental memberships.
ShipBob
06
Core services:
Subscription box fulfillment
Omnichannel (B2B and DTC) fulfillment
Custom packaging, bundling, and kitting
Supply chain management, storage, and inventory distribution
WMS for in-house fulfillment
Return management
Standout characteristics and strengths:
Highly automated platform—ShipBob’s operations are highly automated while still allowing for tailored solutions, which makes them ideal for subscription brands with specialized kitting or packaging needs.
Detailed analytics and reporting—The WMS platform delivers comprehensive metrics on fulfillment costs, transit times, and stock levels to help subscription brands track and replenish across stock-keeping units (SKUs).
Extensive warehouse network—Over 60 fulfillment centers across the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, European Union, and Australia enable efficient inventory distribution.
Strong technology integrations—Their software natively integrates with more than 30 shopping carts, marketplaces, and subscription apps.
Proven track record—ShipBob has a 4.2/5 rating on Trustpilot and 3.7/5 on G2.
Why they’re a good fit for subscription box fulfillment
ShipBob is a good fit for curation-based and replenishment subscription boxes, mainly because of their technology integrations with subscription apps, ability to handle multiple SKUs, and kitting/custom packaging expertise.
On the other hand, access and membership-box models benefit from ShipBob’s extensive warehouse network, which provides two-day shipping coverage to 100% of the continental United States.
Choosing the right subscription box fulfillment company
Selecting the best 3PL provider for your subscription box business isn’t about finding one perfect feature. The right choice depends on how well a provider performs across several critical areas that directly affect your operations, customer satisfaction, and retention rates.
Different subscription box models—e.g., curation services, replenishment programs, and access-based memberships*—have unique logistics requirements. What works perfectly for a monthly makeup box might not suit a weekly meal kit service.
Below, we’ll break down the essential factors you should evaluate and explain how each impacts different subscription box models.
*Curation boxes provide surprise themed assortments (e.g., collectibles, beauty, lifestyle, pets), replenishment subscription boxes deliver staple products on regular schedules (e.g., baby care, shaving essentials, feminine products), and an access-based membership model gives subscribers exclusive perks (members-only products, discounts, or early access).
Customization capabilities
01
Unlike single products, subscription boxes are curated assortments that must be assembled (kitted) accurately each cycle. This creates unique challenges that require a 3PL partner with strong kitting and custom packaging capabilities.
When choosing a 3PL partner, look for a provider with extensive experience assembling multiple SKUs into single packages and a clear understanding of how to deliver the brand experience your subscribers expect.
PRO TIP: Ask providers for specific examples of past subscription box clients with similar needs. If you require specialized services—like handwritten note insertion—inquire whether they’ve handled these requests and can provide client references.
Further reading: Kitting and assembly services explained
Speed and timing
02
All subscription box models depend on precise timing, and delays can result in cancellations and customer churn.
Here’s why accurate delivery schedules matter for each model:
Curated subscription boxes require synchronized shipping windows so all subscribers receive boxes simultaneously and keep the element of surprise. Additionally, accurate timing ensures that deliveries align with marketing campaigns and seasonal themes. Delays can ruin the unboxing experience because customers might see box contents shared in online communities before their box arrives.
Replenishment boxes demand consistent delivery schedules since customers rely on your service for convenience and plan their lives around specific delivery deadlines. Late deliveries disrupt routines and defeat the core purpose of the subscription.
Membership boxes often include exclusive or limited-run items, so delays can undermine the sense of privilege that keeps subscribers engaged.
PRO TIP: Choose a 3PL provider with a proven track record of timely deliveries—ideally over 99%. Instead of settling for verbal promises, request historical performance reports that show actual shipped-on-time percentages.
Accuracy and quality control
03
Every monthly shipment is a touchpoint with your subscription box customer, so accuracy and reliability are key.
This is particularly important for membership models, where customers pay for exclusive access and perks. Since this model depends on delivering a premium experience, a single incorrect order can damage the perceived value.
If the customer doesn’t feel like they’re getting VIP treatment, it lowers trust, breaks loyalties, and affects your bottom line.
PRO TIP: Choose a provider that has a high accuracy track record and offers guarantees and compensation for errors. For reference, industry-leading operations have over 99% pick/pack accuracy.
Attention to detail and presentation
04
For many subscription box businesses, presentation isn’t a bonus—it’s a core product component.
Whether you’re shipping a luxury skincare curation, a designer fashion rental, or a kid’s educational box, how the items are packed and presented is an essential part of the branding.
Your 3PL’s attention to detail becomes a direct reflection of your business, especially for high-touch curated subscription boxes like those for beauty, makeup, or fashion.
PRO TIP: If the unboxing experience is just as important as the box contents, make sure your 3PL provider shares your vision. Ask specific questions. Do they have samples or walkthrough videos of their kitting process? Are details like handwritten notes included or charged separately?
Pricing
05
Your true cost per box matters more than any single headline fee, like receiving, storage, or shipping fees. To accurately compare 3PLs, focus on understanding their complete pricing structures and total per-order costs.
Understanding cost structure
Some fulfillment costs remain consistent whether you’re shipping single products or complex subscription boxes. For example, inbound fees are charged per pallet, and setup costs are one-time charges.
However, other fees vary with shipment complexity:
Pick-and-pack fees are typically structured as two-part charges—a base cost ($1.50–$2.50 per order) plus a per-item cost ($0.50–$1.00 per item).
Kitting fees are charged per hour, per project, or per unit, with average costs of $39/hour in 2025.
What it means for subscription boxes
For subscription boxes—where kitting, branded inserts, and packaging complexity often add labor and material costs—your per-box cost can trend higher than standard ecommerce fulfillment.
For example, if a pick-and-pack fee is structured as $2 per order plus $1 per item, a subscription box with three items will incur a $5 fee, while a box with 10 items will cost $12 to pick and pack.
When requesting quotes, follow these steps:
Request detailed cost breakdowns, including base pick-and-pack fees, per-item fees, packaging costs, and charges for inserts, shipping, and returns processing.
Ask for a projected monthly cost model based on your actual average SKU count and volume.
Verify storage rate structures to understand whether rates vary by product type.
Watch for hidden fees such as account management charges, long-term storage minimums, and software access costs.
Bottom line: Subscription box fulfillment costs are more complex than typical single-item ecommerce fulfillment. If you’re sending curated boxes with varying item counts, your monthly per-order costs will fluctuate accordingly.
Further reading: Best 3PL companies for small businesses
Contract terms
06
Because subscription box businesses face unique challenges—seasonal volume swings from marketing campaigns, varying item counts per box, and unpredictable subscriber growth patterns—they require more flexible contract terms than traditional ecommerce companies.
Choose a 3PL partner that offers month-to-month agreements, scalable service plans, and low (or no) minimum order volume requirements. These contract features allow you to adjust as your business evolves without incurring unnecessary fees for unused services.
However, if you’re running a replenishment-based subscription, consistent monthly volume might justify a longer-term agreement in exchange for discounted per-order fees.
Bottom line: Examine the service agreement thoroughly before you sign. Pay special attention to the contract length and termination conditions, volume-based fees, discounts or penalties, and clauses about rate changes. If you don’t understand all the terms, ask the provider or seek legal advice.
Scalability
07
The best subscription box fulfillment partnerships evolve with your business.
This evolution requires true scalability, which is multifaceted. It means your 3PL can seamlessly handle volume spikes during peak seasons, accommodate new product lines as your offers expand, and integrate additional sales channels—all without compromising accuracy or delivery times.
Consider NFI Industries as an example of built-for-scale operations. With over 70 million square feet of warehouse space, they can transition from subscription boxes to high-volume retail distribution—making them ideal for brands planning to expand into retail or hybrid B2B models.
Technology scalability is also critical. Look for providers with WMSs that support SKU-level tracking and demand forecasting (like ShipBob’s analytics platform). These insights help you anticipate inventory issues before they affect customers.
Bottom line: Choose a 3PL with proven experience managing seasonal demand and a robust WMS. Ask potential partners about their largest volume increases with existing clients and how they maintained service quality during those growth periods.
Further reading: Best 3PL companies for startups
