Your Thai factory can be perfect and your freight rate excellent, and you can still lose margin in the last 40 miles. For US importers, the 3PL decision determines your true landed cost more than most freight negotiations do.
Pick the 3PL before you book the container
The warehouse address decides your discharge port, your drayage cost, and whether you pay per diem. Choosing a Georgia 3PL after booking to Long Beach means paying transcontinental trucking or rail you never budgeted. Lock the destination first, then route the ocean leg — our best US port guide covers the trade-offs.
The fee structure you will actually be quoted
| Fee | Typical 2026 range | Watch for |
|---|---|---|
| Container unload (floor-loaded) | USD 400–850 per 40' | Higher for hand-stack, no pallets |
| Container unload (palletised) | USD 150–350 per 40' | Cheapest option — ask Thailand to palletise |
| Pallet storage | USD 18–35 per pallet/month | Confirm if billed monthly or per 15 days |
| Pick & pack (first item) | USD 1.85–3.25 per order | Additional items USD 0.30–0.75 |
| FBA carton prep/labeling | USD 0.85–2.00 per carton | Includes FNSKU if agreed |
| Receiving admin / ASN | USD 35–95 per shipment | Should be waived at volume |
The single biggest lever is palletising in Thailand. A container floor-loaded to squeeze in 8% more units often costs more in unload labour than the freight it saved — and it slows receiving by two days.
Storage math most buyers get wrong
A 40' HQ typically yields 20–24 standard pallets. At USD 26 per pallet per month, a container sitting three months costs roughly USD 1,600–1,900 in storage. If your Thai MOQ pushes you into six months of cover, storage can quietly exceed your ocean freight. Model it before you accept an MOQ — our MOQ negotiation notes show how to stage deliveries instead.
What to require from your Thai supplier
- Carton dimensions, gross weight, and units per carton confirmed before production, so the 3PL can plan pallet configuration.
- Cartons labelled with SKU, PO number, carton x of y, and country of origin marking. Marking rules are strict — see our country of origin marking guide.
- ISPM 15 heat-treated pallets with a visible IPPC stamp. Untreated wood triggers CBP/APHIS re-export.
- A packing list that matches the commercial invoice line by line. Mismatches are the number one cause of receiving discrepancies and chargebacks.
Amazon FBA sellers: prep-centre vs full 3PL
A prep centre is cheap per carton but usually cannot hold reserve inventory economically or ship D2C. A full 3PL costs more per touch but supports FBA replenishment, Walmart WFS, and your own Shopify orders from one pool of stock. If your IPI score restricts FBA storage, a full 3PL is not optional. Our Amazon FBA direct guide covers routing Thai cartons straight to Amazon versus staging domestically.
Contract clauses that protect you
- Receiving SLA: cargo received and available in the WMS within 48 business hours of delivery, with photos of any damage.
- Discrepancy protocol: written variance report within 24 hours, with carton-level counts, before anything is repacked.
- Insurance: confirm the 3PL carries warehouse legal liability and state the limit; it rarely covers full retail value, so keep your own stock-throughput cover.
- Exit terms: 30-day termination and a capped fee for pulling inventory out. Hostage stock is a real risk.
- Free time: minimum 5–10 days free storage on new receipts so a delayed launch does not start the meter immediately.
Drayage, per diem, and the clock
Ocean carriers give roughly 4–5 free days at the US terminal. If your 3PL cannot accept a live unload inside that window, you pay per diem plus chassis. Book the delivery appointment as soon as the vessel ETA is firm, and require your broker to clear customs before vessel arrival so the container is released the day it discharges.
How TUSKO handles it
We build the packaging and palletising spec with the Thai factory to match your 3PL's receiving rules, verify carton marking at pre-shipment inspection, and hand your broker and warehouse a matched document set. One point of contact owns the shipment from the factory floor to your warehouse dock, with all handling costs built into the landed cost you approve up front.
FAQ
Should I palletise in Thailand or floor-load the container?
Palletise unless the cube saving is over 10% and your 3PL charges the same either way. Palletised unload is typically USD 300–500 cheaper per container and two days faster.
How many pallets fit in a 40ft high cube from Thailand?
Usually 20–24 standard 40x48 pallets single-stacked, or up to 40 double-stacked if your product allows stacking.
Do I need ISPM 15 pallets for US imports?
Yes. All solid wood packaging must carry the IPPC heat-treatment stamp. Non-compliant wood can force re-export of the whole container at your cost.
Can a 3PL be my importer of record?
Almost never, and you should not want it. You remain the importer of record with your own bond — see our customs bond and broker cost guide.
What is a realistic all-in 3PL cost per unit?
For a mid-size consumer product, plan USD 1.20–2.80 per unit including receiving, storage, and pick-pack. Model it before you accept your Thai MOQ.
How do I avoid per diem charges on arrival?
Clear customs pre-arrival, book the delivery appointment on ETA confirmation, and confirm your 3PL has a live-unload door slot inside the carrier's free time.