Choosing a third-party logistics (3PL) provider is one of the biggest operational decisions a growing brand makes. The right partner stores your inventory, ships your orders and handles returns so you can focus on selling. The wrong one leads to late orders, lost stock and surprise invoices.
If you are looking for a 3PL in Toronto or anywhere in the Greater Toronto Area, these 10 questions will help you compare providers and find one that fits your business.
1. Where is the warehouse, and how close is it to your customers?
Location affects delivery speed and shipping costs. A warehouse in the GTA puts you within a day of a large share of Canada’s population, close to Toronto Pearson airport and the 400-series highways. Ask exactly where your inventory will be stored and which carriers pick up from that facility.
2. Which services do you offer under one roof?
Many brands outgrow a provider that only does one thing. Check whether the 3PL can handle everything you need now and in the next two years, for example:
- Warehousing and storage
- E-commerce fulfillment (pick, pack and ship)
- Amazon FBA prep and Walmart WFS prep
- B2B distribution and retail compliance
- Cross-border shipping to the US
- Returns processing
- Local delivery across the GTA
Working with one partner for all of these means fewer hand-offs and one point of contact when something goes wrong.
3. Do you integrate with my sales channels?
Orders should flow from your store to the warehouse automatically. Ask which platforms the 3PL connects with, such as Shopify, Amazon, WooCommerce, Etsy, Wayfair, Walmart and eBay, and how tracking numbers get back to your customers.
4. How do you track inventory?
You should be able to see what is in stock, where it is and how fast it is moving. Ask whether the 3PL uses a warehouse management system, how often it does cycle counts, and how it reports discrepancies.
5. How do you handle B2B and retail orders?
If you sell wholesale or to retail chains, your 3PL needs to follow each retailer’s routing guide: labels, case packs, pallet builds and delivery appointments. Mistakes here often lead to chargebacks. Ask for examples of retailers they already ship to.
6. Can you prep inventory for Amazon and Walmart?
This matters more than ever. Amazon stopped offering its own FBA prep and labelling in Canada on July 1, 2026, so sellers now need to prepare every unit before it reaches Amazon. A 3PL that can store your bulk stock and send prepared replenishment shipments saves you time and storage fees. Read our guide to Amazon FBA prep requirements in Canada.
7. How are returns processed?
Returns are part of selling online. Ask how returned items are inspected, how quickly sellable items go back into stock, and whether you can set rules for each product and condition.
8. What does pricing include?
3PL pricing usually combines receiving, storage, pick and pack, packaging and shipping. Ask for a quote based on your real products and volumes, and check what is included, what is billed separately and whether there are minimums or long-term contracts. See how Newsom 3PL quotes work for an example.
9. How flexible are you as my volumes change?
Seasonal peaks, product launches and slow months all change how much space and labour you need. A good 3PL lets you scale up and down without long-term commitments for space you do not use.
10. Who will I talk to when I need help?
Responsive communication is often what separates a good 3PL from a frustrating one. Ask who your main contact will be, how quickly they respond, and whether you can visit the warehouse to meet the team handling your products.
Red flags to watch for
- Vague answers about where your inventory is stored
- No way to see inventory levels or order status
- Pricing that is hard to understand or full of extra fees
- Long contracts before you have seen how they perform
- No experience with your sales channels or retail customers
Why brands choose Newsom 3PL
Newsom 3PL is based at 3405 American Dr. in Mississauga, near Toronto Pearson International Airport. We offer warehousing, e-commerce fulfillment, Amazon and Walmart prep, B2B distribution, cross-border shipping, returns and GTA delivery from one warehouse, with flexible terms and a team you can actually reach.
Request a quote and we will answer all 10 of these questions for your business.
Frequently asked questions
What does a 3PL do?
A 3PL (third-party logistics provider) stores your inventory and handles logistics tasks such as order fulfillment, shipping, B2B distribution and returns on your behalf.
When should a business switch to a 3PL?
Common signs are running out of space, spending too much time packing orders, struggling with peak seasons, or expanding into new channels such as Amazon, retail or the US.
Is a local 3PL better than a national one?
It depends on where your customers are. If many of them are in Ontario or the GTA, a local 3PL can deliver faster and lets you visit the warehouse and work directly with the team.