Changes to the $800 De Minimis Import Threshold for US Imports:

The de minimis rule lets low-value shipments (under $800) enter the U.S. duty-free. On August 29, 2025, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) will extend full duties and fees to all non-postal parcels, closing long-standing loopholes.

✅ Real-Time Inventory ✅ Warehouse Management ✅ Order Fulfillment ✅ Automated Billing ✅ Multi-Warehouse Support

Discover how Matiyas simplifies logistics with an all-in-one cloud-based 3PL platform.

Whether you're a 3PL provider, warehouse operator, or growing business, Matiyas helps you automate inventory, streamline warehouse operations, and improve fulfillment accuracy.

Take control of your warehouse, inventory, order fulfillment, and shipping with Matiyas 3PL Software. Built for growing logistics providers and businesses that need a smarter way to manage operations—all from one powerful platform.

👉 Learn more: https://www.matiyas.com/3pl-software/

Frequently Asked Logistics Industry FAQs

1. What is the biggest logistics trend in 2026?

AI-powered supply chain management and automation are leading the way.

2. Are integrated logistics solutions worth the investment?

Yes. They improve visibility, efficiency, and collaboration across the supply chain.

3. How can businesses prepare for future logistics challenges?

There is usually a moment when logistics becomes impossible to ignore.

It might be a warehouse running out of space.

It might be delayed deliveries.

It might be inventory sitting in the wrong location at the wrong time.

Most businesses experience this at some point as they grow.

The interesting part is that the problem rarely appears overnight.

Instead, it develops gradually through hundreds of small operational decisions.

Additional suppliers.

More customers.

New markets.

Higher order volumes.

Eventually, complexity catches up.

This is why many growing businesses begin exploring third-party logistics providers.

Not because outsourcing sounds attractive.

Because existing systems are struggling to keep pace with growth.

Understanding what a 3PL company actually does is often the first step before evaluating whether outsourcing makes sense.

Full article:

Growth is exciting for any business. More customers, increasing orders, and expanding product lines are all signs that a company is moving in the right direction. However, growth often introduces a challenge that many businesses underestimate—fulfillment.

As order volumes increase, the systems that once handled daily operations smoothly can begin showing signs of strain. Warehouse space becomes limited, shipping costs rise, inventory management becomes more complicated, and customer expectations continue to grow.

At this stage, many businesses face an important decision: continue managing fulfillment internally or partner with a 3PL logistics provider.

Both approaches have advantages, but the right choice depends on a company's goals, resources, and long-term growth plans. Understanding the differences between in-house fulfillment and third-party logistics can help businesses make a more informed decision.

Understanding In-House Fulfillment

In-house fulfillment means a business manages every aspect of the fulfillment process internally.

This typically includes:

Inventory storage

Warehouse operations

Order picking and packing

Shipping coordination

Returns management

Inventory tracking

Many startups begin this way because it provides direct control over operations. During the early stages of growth, managing fulfillment internally can be practical and cost-effective.

Business owners often have greater visibility into inventory, can oversee packing quality, and maintain direct control over customer orders.

However, as sales increase, in-house fulfillment can become more demanding and resource-intensive.

What Is 3PL Logistics?

3PL logistics refers to outsourcing fulfillment and logistics operations to a third-party provider.

A professional 3PL logistics company typically handles:

Warehousing

Inventory management

Order fulfillment

Shipping coordination

Distribution

Transportation management

Returns processing

Rather than operating their own warehouse and fulfillment team, businesses use the infrastructure and expertise of a logistics partner.

This approach allows companies to focus more on growth, marketing, product development, and customer experience while logistics professionals manage fulfillment operations.

Why More Growing Brands Are Exploring 3PL Services

Customer expectations have changed dramatically over the past few years.

Today's customers expect:

Fast shipping

Accurate deliveries

Real-time tracking

Easy returns

Consistent service

Meeting these expectations becomes increasingly difficult as order volumes increase.

Businesses that continue relying on systems designed for smaller operations often experience fulfillment bottlenecks, inventory challenges, and shipping delays.

This is one reason why demand for 3PL logistics services continues growing across the United States.

The Advantage of In-House Fulfillment

Despite the rise of outsourced logistics, in-house fulfillment still offers several benefits.

Greater Operational Control

Businesses maintain direct oversight of inventory, packaging, and shipping processes.

This can be particularly valuable for companies with highly customized products or specialized packaging requirements.

Brand Experience Management

Businesses can create unique packaging experiences that reflect their brand identity.

This level of customization may be harder to achieve with some fulfillment partners.

Immediate Process Adjustments

Changes to fulfillment procedures can often be implemented quickly without coordinating with external providers.

For smaller businesses with manageable order volumes, this flexibility can be beneficial.

However, these advantages often become harder to maintain as operations grow.

The Challenges of In-House Fulfillment

While control is valuable, growth can expose limitations in internal fulfillment systems.

Increasing Warehouse Costs

As inventory grows, businesses may require:

Larger warehouse facilities

Additional equipment

More storage capacity

These investments can become expensive over time.

Staffing Challenges

Higher order volumes typically require more warehouse staff.

Recruiting, training, and managing fulfillment teams adds operational complexity.

Shipping Limitations

Businesses operating from a single warehouse often face longer delivery times for customers located in different regions.

This can affect customer satisfaction and increase shipping costs.

Technology Investments

Modern fulfillment relies heavily on technology.

Businesses may need to invest in:

Warehouse management systems

Inventory software

Shipping platforms

Reporting tools

These systems require both financial investment and ongoing maintenance.

The Advantages of 3PL Logistics

For growing brands, outsourcing fulfillment can solve many of these challenges.

Faster Shipping

One of the biggest advantages of 3PL logistics is access to distributed warehouse networks.

Many providers operate fulfillment centers across multiple regions.

This allows inventory to be stored closer to customers, reducing transit times and improving delivery speed.

Scalability

Growth often creates sudden increases in order volume.

A professional 3PL logistics company can scale operations more easily than most internal teams.

Whether demand increases due to seasonal promotions, product launches, or business expansion, logistics providers typically have the infrastructure needed to adapt.

Lower Capital Investment

Businesses using third party logistics services avoid many of the expenses associated with operating warehouses and fulfillment facilities.

Instead of investing heavily in infrastructure, they gain access to established logistics networks.

Access to Industry Expertise

Logistics providers specialize in fulfillment operations.

Their experience often helps businesses improve efficiency, reduce shipping errors, and optimize inventory management.

Comparing Shipping Performance

Shipping speed has become a major factor influencing customer satisfaction.

For many growing brands, this is where 3PL logistics creates a significant advantage.

Businesses operating from a single warehouse often struggle to provide fast nationwide delivery.

In contrast, many 3PL companies use strategically located fulfillment centers that help reduce delivery distances.

This often results in:

Faster shipping

Lower transportation costs

Improved customer experience

Better order fulfillment performance

Inventory Management Comparison

Inventory management becomes more complex as businesses expand.

In-house operations may rely on manual processes or basic inventory systems.

Leading 3PL service providers often use advanced technology that provides:

Real-time inventory visibility

Demand forecasting

Automated inventory tracking

Inventory reporting

These tools help businesses make better inventory decisions and reduce fulfillment disruptions.

Cost Considerations

Many businesses assume outsourcing fulfillment is more expensive.

However, the true cost comparison is often more complex.

In-house fulfillment costs include:

Warehouse rent

Labor expenses

Equipment purchases

Software investments

Utility costs

Shipping contracts

A 3PL provider combines many of these expenses into a more predictable operational model.

For growing businesses, this often creates better cost efficiency.

Which Option Is Better for Growing Brands?

The answer depends largely on business size and growth goals.

In-house fulfillment may work well for:

Small businesses

Low order volumes

Highly customized products

Local distribution models

However, businesses experiencing consistent growth often benefit from the flexibility and scalability of 3PL logistics services.

The larger a company becomes, the more valuable logistics expertise, warehouse networks, and fulfillment technology become.

Why Businesses Partner with Experienced Logistics Providers

Many brands eventually reach a point where fulfillment begins consuming too much time, attention, and operational resources.

At this stage, working with an experienced provider such as LOKI 3PL can help businesses simplify operations while improving fulfillment performance.

Professional logistics support allows businesses to:

Scale efficiently

Improve delivery speed

Reduce operational complexity

Strengthen inventory management

Focus on business growth

Rather than building an extensive logistics infrastructure internally, businesses can leverage existing expertise and resources.

Final Thoughts

There is no one-size-fits-all answer when comparing in-house fulfillment and 3PL logistics. Both approaches offer unique advantages, and the right choice depends on a business's current needs and future goals.

For smaller operations, maintaining fulfillment internally may provide the control and flexibility needed during the early stages of growth.

However, as order volumes increase and customer expectations continue rising, many businesses find that outsourcing logistics creates greater efficiency and scalability.