Transitioning from Another 3PL

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Why Brands Switch to Jetpack

Before we get into the “how,” let’s talk about the “why.” Most brands transition to Jetpack for one (or more) of these reasons: Support frustrations Tired of waiting days for ticket responses or dealing with support reps who don’t know your account? Jetpack’s dedicated Slack channel puts you in direct contact with an account manager who knows your business. Hidden fees and surprise costs Many 3PLs have complex pricing structures with hidden storage fees, receiving surcharges, and ambiguous handling costs. Jetpack offers transparent, customized pricing with no surprises. Lack of proactive communication Most 3PLs are reactive—you find out about problems after they’ve already impacted your customers. Jetpack proactively monitors inventory levels, shipment delays, and integration issues, reaching out before problems escalate. Limited scalability or global reach Outgrowing a regional 3PL with limited warehouse locations? Jetpack’s 65+ fulfillment center network and MultiHub IQ technology support expansion without switching providers again. Poor technology or integration challenges Clunky dashboards, manual processes, or unreliable integrations slow down operations. Jetpack’s platform is built for growing brands with modern integrations and automation. If any of these sound familiar, you’re in the right place.

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The Transition Process: How It Works

Switching 3PLs isn’t instant, but it doesn’t have to be complicated either. Jetpack’s transition process is designed to minimize risk and keep your fulfillment running smoothly throughout the changeover.

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Phase 1: Planning and Setup (Week 1-2)

The first step is getting your Jetpack account set up and ready to receive orders and inventory.

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Phase 2: Inventory Transfer (Week 2-4)

Getting your inventory from your current 3PL to Jetpack is the most critical part of the transition. We offer several approaches: Your Jetpack Care team will help you choose the right approach based on your inventory, order volume, and business priorities. Every transition plan is ultimately custom and tailored to you.

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Phase 3: Testing and Validation (Week 3-5)

Before fully cutting over, we validate that everything is working correctly. What we test:

• Order flow – Place test orders to ensure they route correctly to Jetpack
• Inventory accuracy – Verify received quantities match what was sent
• Shipping rules – Confirm carrier selection, ship options, and delivery times are correct
• Integration syncing – Check that orders, tracking, and inventory sync properly with your store
• Returns processing – Test return label generation and returns handling

Your Jetpack Care team coordinates testing and addresses any issues before live orders begin flowing.

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Phase 4: Go Live and Monitor (Week 4-6)

Once testing is complete, it’s time to flip the switch.

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Common Transition Challenges (And How We Handle Them)

Challenge: “What if my current 3PL won’t ship inventory out?” Some 3PLs make it difficult to transfer inventory, requiring lengthy notice periods or charging excessive transfer fees. Your Jetpack Care team can help navigate these conversations and, if necessary, recommend alternative approaches like running down inventory naturally while sending new stock to Jetpack. Challenge: “I have inventory in multiple locations. How do I coordinate that?” If your current 3PL operates multiple warehouses, we can create separate WROs for each location and coordinate receiving timing. With MultiHub IQ, you can consolidate to a single Hero Hub and let Jetpack handle distribution. Challenge: “What happens to orders that were placed before the cutover but haven’t shipped yet?” We coordinate with your old 3PL to ensure in-progress orders complete there. New orders placed after the cutover date automatically route to Jetpack. Your Jetpack Care team monitors this closely to prevent any orders from falling through the cracks. Challenge: “My products have lot numbers or serial numbers. How does that transfer?” Lot-tracked and serialized inventory requires extra care during transition. Jetpack supports lot tracking and can receive inventory with specific lot numbers and expiration dates. Your account manager will walk you through the process. Challenge: “I’m worried about downtime during peak season.” We strongly recommend avoiding major transitions during your peak sales periods (e.g., Q4 holiday season). If timing is unavoidable, we can design a more conservative phased approach to minimize risk. Your Jetpack Care team will advise on timing.

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What to Prepare Before Transitioning

To make your transition as smooth as possible, gather this information before kickoff: Current 3PL Details

• Name of your current provider and fulfillment center locations
• Contract terms and notice requirements
• Any outstanding fees or charges
• Inventory transfer policies

Inventory Information

• Current inventory levels by SKU and location
• Product dimensions, weights, and packaging details
• Special handling requirements (HAZMAT, temperature-controlled, fragile, etc.)
• Lot numbers or expiration dates (if applicable)

Order Volume and Patterns

• Average daily/monthly order volume
• Peak season order volumes
• Geographic distribution of customers
• Average order value and units per order

Integration Details

• Which ecommerce platforms you use (Shopify, Amazon, etc.)
• Any middleware or order management systems (ShipStation, Skubana, etc.)
• Custom integrations or API connections

Current Pain Points

• What’s not working with your current 3PL?
• What do you want to improve?
• What’s non-negotiable in your new fulfillment setup?

Your Jetpack Care team will guide you through gathering this information during the kickoff call.

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Transition Timeline at a Glance

Total timeline varies based on your chosen approach (full cutover vs. phased vs. parallel), but most transitions complete within 4-6 weeks.

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Transition FAQs

How much does it cost to transfer inventory to Jetpack?

Jetpack doesn’t charge receiving fees for initial transition inventory. You’ll pay shipping costs to transport inventory from your current 3PL to Jetpack, but we waive standard receiving fees to make the transition affordable. Your account manager will provide a detailed quote.

Can I switch during my busy season?

It’s possible but not recommended. Transitions involve some risk, and you don’t want to add complexity during your highest-volume periods. Ideally, plan transitions during slower months. If timing is unavoidable, we’ll design a conservative phased approach.

What if I'm unhappy with Jetpack after switching? Can I move back?

While we’re confident you’ll love working with Jetpack, we understand the concern. There are no long-term contracts locking you in. If Jetpack isn’t the right fit, you can transition out just as you transitioned in. We don’t hold inventory hostage.

Do I need to tell my current 3PL I'm switching?

Eventually, yes—but timing matters. Some 3PLs require 30-60 days’ notice to close accounts. Check your contract terms. Your Jetpack Care team can advise on when and how to communicate your transition plans.

How do returns work during the transition?

If you’re running parallel operations, you can configure return labels to route back to your old 3PL or Jetpack based on where the order originally shipped from. Once fully transitioned, all returns come to Jetpack. Your account manager will set this up.

Can Jetpack help me negotiate an exit with my current 3PL?

While we can’t directly negotiate on your behalf, your Jetpack Care team can advise on common contract terms, typical exit fees, and strategies for a smooth exit. We’ve even sat in on meetings with the exiting 3PL. We’ve seen it all and can help you navigate difficult conversations.

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