ShipSquared

Switching 3PL Providers

Keep orders moving while you change fulfillment partners. A staged transfer and a tested cutover help reduce disruption. No plan can promise zero downtime, so agree on a fallback before moving stock.

Audit your setup and contract

Review your current contract, notice period, inventory release terms and outstanding charges. Map receiving, order routing, returns and open orders. Agree with both providers on who owns each task and when the old provider stops accepting new orders.

Export data and SKUs

Export SKUs, barcodes, variants, dimensions, weights, bundles and packaging rules. Include lot and expiry data where needed. Save an inventory count and a list of open orders. Reconcile missing or duplicate SKU records before importing into the new system.

Plan the inventory transfer

Decide which stock moves first and what stays available at the current provider. Agree on carton labels, transfer counts, transport and receiving instructions. Keep enough stock available for the overlap based on your own demand and transfer plan. Reconcile counts when the new provider receives inventory.

Run both setups in parallel

Use a controlled order group to check the new workflow while the current provider continues shipping other orders. Define which provider owns each order so neither ships it twice. Compare stock, packing and tracking results before widening the cutover.

Cut over integrations

For Shopify, TikTok Shop, Amazon and other channels, confirm the intended order flow and each channel requirement. Test order import, SKU mapping, stock updates, cancellations and tracking. Pause or change the old connection only after confirming the new routing and a rollback plan.

Set up carriers

Confirm the carrier accounts, service mappings, package weights, labels and pickup arrangements for launch. Review UPS, FedEx, USPS and DHL options against your orders. Check that tracking is returned to the right store and that the selected service matches the customer delivery choice.

Use a go-live checklist

Before launch, confirm reconciled inventory, approved SKU mapping, tested orders, working tracking, carrier setup and a clear support contact. Assign a cutover owner and a rollback decision point. After launch, review unshipped orders and stock differences before closing the old setup.

Why Brands Choose ShipSquared

Inventory plan

Reconcile SKU and transfer records before cutover.

Order checks

Test each selling channel and tracking flow.

Carrier setup

Review service mappings before go-live.

Related services

Services

https://www.shipsquared.com/switching-3pl-providers

Get a free fulfillment quote in 24 hours →

Frequently asked questions

Can switching 3PLs guarantee no downtime?

No. A staged inventory transfer, parallel running, tested integrations and a rollback plan can help reduce disruption, but timing depends on your setup.

What data should I export?

Export SKU and barcode records, product dimensions and weights, packaging rules, inventory counts and open orders. Include lot and expiry records where your products need them.

When should I disconnect the old provider?

Agree on the cutover point first. Confirm the new order flow, available inventory and tracking, then change the old connection without leaving orders routed to both providers.

What belongs on the go-live checklist?

Reconciled inventory, correct SKU mapping, tested channel orders, working tracking, carrier setup, a cutover owner and a rollback plan.