The costs and requirements of warehousing and fulfillment in the Netherlands (2025)

For SMB entrepreneurs looking to outsource their logistics to an outside party, finding the right warehousing or fulfillment partner is crucial. This article will help you through the process and provide insight into what you need to know before requesting a quote, with special attention to the cost structure. If you have enough information, you can request multiple quotes directly here.

Defining your logistics needs

Before requesting quotes, it is important to have a clear picture of your logistics needs. This helps 3PL providers provide an accurate quote and avoids surprises later.

Different types of services

In the market, there are three main types of services:

1. Warehousing: primarily focused on storage of goods
2. B2B fulfillment: storage and distribution to other companies
3. E-commerce fulfillment: warehousing and shipping to consumers

Essential information for a quotation

Our extensive research among dozens of SMEs and 3PL providers in the Netherlands shows what information warehousing partners need before they can make an appropriate offer. From discussions with several large 3PL providers, we identified the following critical categories of information:

1. Company information

• Company name and legal form
• Chamber of Commerce and VAT number
• Contacts and their function
• Website

2. Product Information

• General description of goods
• Dimensions and weight by SKU
• Number of unique SKUs in assortment
• ADR classification (hazardous materials?)
• Specific quality requirements (FSSC 22000, GDP, SKAL-BIO)
• Temperature requirements for storage

3. Inbound logistics

• Transportation method (air, sea, road)
• Origin of goods
• Port or airport of entry
• Volume and frequency of shipments
• Average weight per shipment
• Loading and unloading method (pallets, boxes, big bags)
• Type of boxes and pallets in use

4. Sales channels

• Type of customers (stores, consumers, distributors)
• Volume by sales channel
• Geographic distribution (countries and volumes)
• INCO terms by sales channel
• Order types (pre-order, stock replenishment, etc.)
• Average order size by channel

5. Stock and storage requirements.

• Average number of SKUs in stock
• Average quantity per SKU
• Average number of pallet spaces in use
• Current storage method (in original package, repackaged)
• Need for periodic inventory counts

6. Pick & Pack information

• Type of orders (full pallets, boxes, single items)
• Orders per day by sales channel
• Average number of items per order
• Seasonality in order picking
• Impact of marketing campaigns (Black Friday, clearance sales)
• Current delivery time by sales channel
• Cut-off times for consumer sales

7. IT integration

• Uses ERP system (Reflecta, Exact, etc.)
• E-commerce platform (Shopify, Woocommerce, etc.)
• Message types for communication (XML, EDI)
• Communication method (FTP, Web service, SFTP)
• Type of product barcodes (EAN, SSCC, UPC)
• Current system linkage with 3PL

Overview of cost structure 3PL services

Typical cost rates in the Netherlands

From our analysis of more than 50 recent quotes from Dutch warehousing providers, we can identify the following price ranges:

1. Storage costs

• Europallet: €0.33 – €1.85 per day/week
• Block pallet: €0.46 – €2.10 per day/week
• Pick location: €0.67 per week

2. Handling

• Input per pallet: €1.52 – €7.50
• Results per pallet: €1.52 – €9.95
• Order picking B2C: €1.60 – €3.50 per order plus €0.35 – €0.50 per order line

3. Shipping Costs

These depend heavily on weight, destination and service level. For B2C fulfillment:

• All-in fulfillment: €1.79 – €7.60 per package (including pick and pack and shipping)

4. Value added services

• Repacking: €39.25 per hour
• Sealing pallets: €2.95 – €5.95 per pallet
• Return processing: €1.79 – €3.46 each

5. IT and administration

• Customs documents: €65.00 – €72.50 per document
• Additional HS code: €11.00 per code
• Registration with carrier: €3.50 per shipment

Sample situations

Based on case studies from our client base, we present three typical example situations:

Situation 1: Webshop with cosmetics (B2C)

Profile: A webshop selling cosmetics with about 200 orders per week, mainly in the Netherlands and Germany.

Required information:

• 2 pallet spaces for storage
• Orders: 200-250 per week
• Average of 1 product per order
• Products are small and light (10cm × 5cm, 300g)
• Monthly delivery of 1,000 units

Price Indication:

• Storage: 2 pallets × €1.85 per week = €3.70 per week
• Storage: 1 pallet per month × €3.95 = €3.95 per month
• Order picking: 200 orders × (€1.60 per order + €0.35 per line) = €390 per week
• All-in price: €1.79 – €7.60 per package, depending on the provider

Situation 2: Japanese company with chemical raw materials (B2B)

Profile: A Korean company that imports and distributes cosmetic raw materials to EU customers.

Required information:

• 550 pallet spaces
• Europallets (120×80×120cm)
• Regular inbound and outbound shipments
• Non-hazardous chemical raw materials

Price Indication:

• Storage: 550 pallets × €0.33 per day = €181.50 per day
• Handling: €1.52 per pallet entry/exit
• For more complex handling: hourly rates (€39.25 per hour)

Situation 3: Pan-European food product distributor (B2B)

Profile: A UK exporter distributing food products to EU countries.

Required information:

• 20 pallet spaces
• Order-based shipping to various EU countries
• Chep pallets

Price Indication:

• Storage: €0.75 per pallet per day
• Inbound: €7.50 per Chep pallet
• Outbound: €9.75 per pallet (single SKU)
• $0.50 extra per additional SKU
• €5.95 per pallet for sealing

Important considerations when choosing a 3PL partner

Discussions with our clients reveal other important factors to consider besides cost aspects:

1. Geographic location: For fast EU distribution, a centrally located warehouse in the Netherlands is ideal.
2. IT integration: The ability to link your systems with the provider’s warehouse management system (WMS).
3. Flexibility: Can the provider grow with your business and handle seasonal peaks?
4. Specializations: Some providers specialize in certain product categories (food, hazardous materials, etc.).
5. Additional services: Customs clearance, quality control, return processing, etc.

Conclusion

Outsourcing your logistics to a 3PL provider can help your business scale and focus on core operations. Our practical experience shows that companies that request well prepared quotes get more accurate quotes and find a partner that better suits their specific needs.

The Dutch 3PL market offers numerous options, from highly specialized providers to all-round logistics service providers. Prices vary widely depending on volume, complexity and additional services. Comparing multiple quotes based on the same information will give you the best understanding of market-based rates for your specific situation.

Remember that the cheapest option is not always the best. Quality of service, reliability and scalability are at least as important as price, especially when your logistics directly impact customer satisfaction. Learn more about how to choose the best quote.

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