3PL and ecommerce logistics blog
Practical articles on warehousing, order fulfillment, shipping and 3PL costs, written by the Kolineo team for brands selling in Canada and the United States.
Latest articles
Costs, choosing a partner, ecommerce fulfillment, where your warehouse should be: straight answers to the questions brands ask before they outsource their logistics.
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Lost or damaged parcels: shipping insurance, liability and claims
Declaring a parcel’s value does not guarantee full reimbursement. Here is what to check before shipping and the evidence to prepare when an incident occurs.
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Canada Post, Purolator, UPS or FedEx: which carrier is right for your ecommerce store?
The best carrier depends on your parcels and customers. A useful comparison looks at services, destinations and invoices, with a backup option ready to use.
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Selling to the US: who pays import duties and customs charges?
Customers should know before paying whether charges may be due on arrival. Here is how to align your sales terms, documents and shipping instructions.
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How to package products to reduce damage and shipping costs
An oversized box uses space, void fill and sometimes more shipping spend. Too little protection leads to replacements. Choose and test packaging by order profile.
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Shipping ecommerce orders from Canada to the US: costs, delivery times and options
A good shipping rate is only part of the picture. To sell in the US, compare the full cost of a delivered order, customs requirements and returns handling.
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Ecommerce returns management: process, costs and restocking
A return is complete only when the customer has an answer and inventory reflects the decision. Here is how to organize the steps and measure their cost.
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Free shipping: how to calculate a profitable threshold for your store
Shipping can be free for the customer while remaining a cost for your store. Your threshold needs to cover that cost and leave enough margin for the products and destinations involved.
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Dead stock: how to reduce unsold inventory and storage costs
A product that stops selling still takes up space and ties up cash. To act, distinguish slow-moving items, seasonal stock and inventory that is genuinely blocked.
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Importing from China to Canada: your goods’ journey from port to warehouse
Incoterms, CBSA accounts, port of entry, customs clearance, documents and container unloading: how an import from China travels to your warehouse in Québec, step by step.
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UPC codes in Canada: how to get your barcodes before moving to a 3PL
GTIN, UPC, EAN, SKU, carton codes: how to get valid barcodes from GS1 Canada, the trap of resold codes and what to send your 3PL before your first inbound shipment.
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FIFO vs FEFO: how a warehouse rotates your stock (and your expiry dates)
FIFO, FEFO, LIFO: how a warehouse rotates your stock, why FIFO falls short for dated products, what to provide at receiving (lot and date on the carton) and the questions to ask your 3PL.
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Best pet products 3PL in Québec (2026)
Heavy bags, lots and dates, recalls, subscriptions, pet stores and U.S. sales: the criteria for choosing the best 3PL for your pet products in Québec, with a grid of questions to ask.
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Best cosmetics 3PL in Québec (2026): criteria and comparison
Lots and dates, leaks, gift sets, influencers, drugstores: the criteria for comparing cosmetics 3PLs in Québec, with the questions to ask and the red flags to watch.
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Best beverage 3PL in Québec (2026)
Heavy cans, fragile bottles, best-before dates and grocery requirements: how to choose the right 3PL for your beverage brand in Québec, with a comparison checklist and the questions to ask.
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Best food 3PL in Québec (2026): how to choose
Temperature, lots and dates, recalls, grocers, gift boxes: the criteria for choosing a food 3PL in Québec, a grid of questions to ask and the red flags to watch for.
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What is ecommerce fulfillment? A step-by-step guide
What ecommerce fulfillment is, how an order travels from your store to your customer’s door, which integrations and KPIs matter, and how to choose between in-house fulfillment, a 3PL and Amazon FBA.
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Outsourcing logistics: when and how to switch to a 3PL
When is outsourcing logistics the right move? The signs it is time to hand your warehouse over to a 3PL, how to choose the right partner and a five-step onboarding plan to switch without stockouts.
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Sherbrooke vs Montreal: where should your Québec 3PL be?
Selling into Québec from Ontario or the U.S.? An honest look at a 3PL in Sherbrooke versus Montreal: space costs, labor, traffic, transit to Québec and Ontario, and when Montreal is the better pick.
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Fulfillment costs in Canada: what a 3PL really charges
Receiving, storage, pick and pack, packaging, returns and shipping: fulfillment costs explained line by line, with typical Québec market rates in Canadian dollars and a worked example for 800 orders a month.
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10 benefits of a 3PL for growing brands
Lower shipping rates, faster delivery, flexible space, better technology and easier access to major retailers: here are the 10 real benefits of a 3PL, plus the trade-offs to weigh before you outsource.
Have a question about your logistics?
Tell us about your products, volumes and destinations, and we will get back to you with a detailed quote.