If you sell bundles, gift sets, subscription boxes or starter kits, someone has to put those products together before they ship. That work is called kitting. This guide explains what kitting is, how it differs from bundling and assembly, what it costs and when it makes sense to outsource it.
What is kitting?
Kitting means taking separate items and combining them into one ready-to-ship or ready-to-sell unit with its own SKU. A skincare brand might kit a cleanser, toner and moisturizer into a starter set. A coffee company might kit beans, a mug and a card into a gift box. Once the kit is built, it is stored and sold as one product.
Kitting, bundling and assembly: what is the difference?
| Term | What it means | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Kitting | Several different items packed together as one new SKU | A gift box with three products and a card |
| Bundling | The same or related items grouped as one sellable unit | A 3-pack of socks, or a multi-pack for Amazon |
| Light assembly | Simple work to put a product together before it ships | Attaching a part or fitting batteries |
| Pre-kitting | Building kits in advance and storing them as finished stock | Building 500 holiday sets before November |
| Kit on demand | Building each kit when the order arrives | Custom or build-your-own boxes |
Common types of kits
- Starter and sample kits for new customers or trial offers.
- Gift sets and holiday boxes with tissue, inserts or thank-you cards.
- Subscription boxes packed to a monthly design.
- Promotional and event kits for trade shows, influencers or staff.
- Marketplace bundles labelled as one unit for Amazon FBA or Walmart WFS.
- Retail-ready packs for stores and wholesale customers.
How a kitting project works
- You define the kit: which items go in, in what order and how it should look. Photos or a sample help.
- Your suppliers ship the components to the warehouse, where they are received and counted.
- A sample kit is built for your approval if needed.
- The team builds the kits, labels them with the kit SKU and stores them as finished inventory.
- Finished kits ship to customers, to Amazon or Walmart, or to retailers.
How kitting is priced
3PLs usually charge for kitting in one of two ways: per kit, or by the hour. Per-kit pricing suits simple, repeat jobs. Hourly pricing suits custom work, small runs and projects where the number of steps changes. The things that affect the price are:
- How many components go into each kit.
- How much care the packing needs, such as tissue, inserts, ribbons or shrink wrap.
- Whether kits are built in advance or one by one as orders come in.
- Labelling requirements, especially for Amazon FBA or retail.
- The packaging materials, if the 3PL supplies them.
For a full breakdown of fulfillment costs, see how much a 3PL costs in Canada.
Tips for a smooth kitting project
- Give every kit its own SKU and barcode so it can be tracked like any other product.
- Send a written spec with photos of a finished kit.
- Ship components with clear labels and a packing list so receiving is quick.
- Order a few extra components to cover damage and miscounts.
- Plan seasonal kits early so they are built before peak orders arrive.
When to outsource kitting
Kitting at home or in a back room works for a handful of orders. It gets harder when you are building hundreds of kits for a launch, the holidays or a marketplace shipment. Outsourcing to the same 3PL that stores and ships your stock means components never have to move between buildings, and finished kits can go straight into fulfillment.
Kitting in Mississauga
Newsom 3PL offers kitting and custom packaging at our Mississauga warehouse near Toronto Pearson. There is no minimum order quantity: kitting is billed by the hour with a one-hour minimum, so small runs and test launches are welcome. Finished kits can be stored with us, shipped through e-commerce fulfillment, prepped for Amazon FBA or Walmart WFS, or delivered to retailers. Request a quote for your project.
Frequently asked questions
What does kitting mean in a warehouse?
In a warehouse, kitting means picking separate items and packing them together as one unit with its own SKU, so the kit can be stored and shipped as a single product.
Is kitting the same as bundling?
Not quite. Bundling usually groups the same or related items, such as a 3-pack. Kitting combines different items into a new product, such as a gift set.
Can a 3PL kit products for Amazon FBA?
Yes. Kits and bundles can be built, labelled as one unit with the right barcode and prepared to Amazon’s rules before they ship to a fulfillment centre.
Is there a minimum quantity for kitting?
It depends on the provider. Some have minimums per job. Newsom 3PL has no minimum quantity and bills kitting by the hour.