Most US brands on Shopify Plus ship through a third-party logistics provider (3PL). The connection between Shopify and the 3PL decides whether stock levels are right, orders leave on time and customers get tracking. This guide covers what to set up and what to test.
How the connection works
A 3PL connects to Shopify through an app, usually its own. Shopify sends the 3PL the orders to fulfill, the 3PL ships them and sends back tracking numbers, and stock levels flow from the 3PL's warehouse into Shopify. On Shopify Plus, each warehouse is a location, so you can see stock by site and decide which warehouse ships which order.
What to set up
Locations
One Shopify location per warehouse, named so your team can tell them apart.
Inventory sync
Decide which system holds the true stock figure, usually the 3PL, and how often it updates Shopify. Check how pre-orders and bundles are counted.
Order routing
Set rules for which location fulfills each order, for example the warehouse nearest the customer or the one with stock of every item.
Tracking and notifications
Make sure tracking numbers and carriers come back to Shopify, so shipping confirmation emails and order status pages work.
Returns
Agree how returns are received, inspected and restocked, and how that updates Shopify.
B2B orders
If you sell wholesale on Shopify Plus, check the 3PL can handle larger orders, pallets and different packing rules.
What to test before launch
Place real orders for single items, multiple items, items from two warehouses, a discount, a subscription order if you sell them, and a return. Check each one reaches the 3PL, ships, updates stock and sends tracking to the customer. Then test a busy day: send a batch of orders at once and confirm none are missed.
Common problems
Stock that drifts out of sync, orders stuck because a product has no SKU, bundles the 3PL doesn't recognize, and tracking that never reaches the customer. Most come from how the connection was set up, and testing finds them before customers do.
Need help connecting a 3PL?
We set up and test 3PL integrations as part of Shopify Plus builds and migrations. Tell us about your store.
