Kitting and assembly services combine separate items into one ready-to-ship unit: a gift set, a subscription box, a bundle, a sample pack or a product that needs simple assembly before it ships. Doing this in-house takes space, people and time. A 3PL that offers kitting and assembly builds the kits for you in the warehouse, stores them and ships them to customers, retailers or marketplaces. This guide explains what the service covers and how to get it right.
What kitting and assembly services include
| Service | What it means |
|---|---|
| Kitting | Picking several SKUs and packing them together as one kit with its own SKU |
| Light assembly | Simple put-together work such as attaching parts, inserting accessories or adding batteries supplied separately |
| Bundling | Combining products sold together, for example a product with a refill or accessory |
| Gift sets and boxes | Building presentation boxes with tissue, inserts and branded packaging |
| Subscription boxes | Recurring kits that change each month or season |
| Inserts and printed cards | Adding flyers, thank-you cards, instructions or order-specific notes |
| Labelling | Applying barcodes, FNSKU labels or retail labels to finished kits |
For a simpler overview of the term, see what is kitting.
Pre-built kits vs kits built on demand
| Pre-built (kitted ahead) | Built on demand (per order) | |
|---|---|---|
| How it works | Kits are assembled in batches and stored as finished SKUs | Components are stored separately and combined when each order arrives |
| Best for | Steady sellers, retail and Amazon shipments, seasonal gift sets | Many variations, personalized orders, unpredictable demand |
| Speed at order time | Fastest: pick one finished kit | Slower: each kit is built as orders come in |
| Inventory | More finished stock tied up | More flexible: components used where needed |
Many brands use both: pre-built kits for best sellers and on-demand kits for everything else.
Who uses kitting and assembly services
- E-commerce brands selling bundles, starter kits or gift sets through Shopify or WooCommerce
- Amazon sellers who need multi-packs and bundles prepped to FBA requirements
- Subscription box companies with monthly or seasonal boxes
- Brands preparing holiday gift sets and promotional packs
- Companies sending sample kits, welcome kits or event kits to many locations
- B2B suppliers preparing retail-ready displays and packs
How to set up a kitting project with a 3PL
- Define the kit: list every component, quantity, packaging and insert, with a photo or sample of the finished kit.
- Create the kit SKU: give the finished kit its own SKU and barcode so it can be tracked and sold.
- Send components with an ASN: ship the parts with clear labels so they can be received and counted quickly.
- Approve a sample: check the first finished kit before the full run.
- Plan the volume: share how many kits you need and by when, especially before peak season.
What drives the cost of kitting
Kitting is usually priced per kit or per hour of labour. The main cost drivers are the number of components in each kit, how fragile or complex the items are, any assembly steps, special packaging or inserts, labelling requirements and the size of each run. Larger, repeat runs are more efficient than many small batches. Read more in how much a 3PL costs in Canada.
Kitting and assembly with Newsom 3PL
Newsom 3PL provides kitting and custom packaging from our warehouse in Mississauga, Ontario, near Toronto Pearson. We build kits and bundles, add inserts and labels, store finished kits and ship them to customers, retailers and marketplaces across Canada and the US. Pricing is based on your volume, so we send a rate card that fits your project. Request a quote to get started.
Frequently asked questions
What are kitting and assembly services?
They are warehouse services that combine separate products and packaging into one finished unit, and carry out simple assembly steps, before the item ships.
What is the difference between kitting and assembly?
Kitting groups existing items into one package. Assembly changes the product itself, for example attaching parts. Many projects involve both.
Can kits be built per order?
Yes. Kits can be pre-built in batches or built on demand when each order arrives, depending on your volume and how many variations you sell.
Can a 3PL kit products for Amazon FBA?
Yes. Bundles and multi-packs can be kitted, labelled and prepped to Amazon requirements, then shipped to Amazon fulfillment centres.