Cosmetics and beauty 3PLs
Beauty 3PLs that track the batch code on every jar
Cosmetics carry batch codes, shelf lives and, often, hazmat rules for shipping. Here is what to require from a beauty 3PL, and 3PLs that work with cosmetics and personal care brands.
What to require from a cosmetics and beauty 3PL
Batch codes captured at receiving
Cosmetics are recalled by batch. Your 3PL should receive against your batch or lot code and record it on every outbound order.
Shelf life and expiry handling
Ask whether they track expiry or manufacture dates, pick oldest-first, and flag stock that is close to the end of its shelf life.
Hazmat shipping for fragrance, nail and aerosols
Perfume, nail polish and aerosols often ship as limited-quantity dangerous goods. Confirm the 3PL has trained staff and the right labels and carrier services.
Kitting, gift sets and subscriptions
Beauty brands build kits, gift sets and subscription boxes. Ask how kits are assembled, how they consume component batches, and how they are priced.
Retail compliance
If you sell to retailers, confirm the 3PL can meet routing guides, case labels and EDI orders as well as direct-to-consumer shipping.
Presentation and damage control
Unboxing matters in beauty. Ask about custom inserts, leak-proof packing for liquids, and how they report and credit damages.
Questions to ask before you sign
- How do you receive batch codes, and are they on every shipment record?
- Do you track expiry or manufacture dates, and do you pick oldest-first?
- Which of our products would you ship as hazmat, and how?
- How do you build kits and gift sets, and how are component batches recorded?
- Can you handle retailer routing guides and EDI orders?
- How do you pack liquids, and how do you report damages?
- Which warehouse system do you run, and will you give us API access to our account?
Cosmetics and beauty 3PLs
A short list of 3PLs whose own websites say they serve this specialty.
We are checking cosmetics and beauty 3PLs now
Every listing is checked against the 3PL’s own website before it goes live, so this list fills in over the coming weeks. The guide above and the readiness kit below are ready today.
Run a 3PL that fits? Request a listingThe 3PL readiness kit
Everything we would want in hand before talking to a 3PL: questions to send before the sales call, an onboarding checklist, and a worksheet to compare quotes line by line. Free to print, no sign-up.
3PL readiness kit
Choose, compare and onboard a 3PL
Questions to ask every 3PL
Send these before the sales call, and ask for answers in writing.
- Receiving: how fast is inbound stock available to ship, and what do you charge for unlabeled or mixed cartons?
- Lots and expiry: do you capture lot and expiry at receiving, and are they on every shipment record?
- Picking rules: FEFO, FIFO, or a lot we choose? Can we set a minimum shelf life per customer?
- Holds: how do you quarantine a lot, and how fast does it stop shipping?
- Accuracy: how do you measure order accuracy and inventory accuracy, and how do you credit errors?
- Cut-off: what is the same-day ship cut-off, and what happens on peak days?
- Returns: how are returns inspected, restocked or disposed of, and how is that reported?
- Integrations: which warehouse system do you run? Will you give us API access to our own account?
- Retail and Amazon: can you handle routing guides, EDI orders and FBA prep?
- Insurance and liability: what is your liability per unit, and what does your insurance cover?
- Contract: term, notice period, minimums, and how we get our stock out if we leave.
Onboarding checklist
Work through this in the four to six weeks before your first inbound shipment.
- Clean SKU list: one SKU per sellable unit, with barcodes, weights and dimensions.
- Units of measure: each, inner pack, case and pallet quantities for every SKU.
- Lot and expiry rules: label format, where the lot sits on the carton, and your minimum shelf life.
- Kits and bundles: component lists for every kit, and who builds them.
- Packaging: boxes, mailers, inserts and coolant, and who supplies them.
- Channels connected: store, marketplaces and wholesale orders flowing to the 3PL.
- Inventory sync: stock counts, lots and shipments flowing back into your own system.
- First inbound: advance ship notice sent, with lots and expiry on it.
- Test orders: one of each order type, including a retail order and a return.
- Reconciliation: weekly count comparison between your system and the 3PL for the first two months.
Cost worksheet
Fill in one column per quote, using your real monthly order and pallet numbers.
| Line item | 3PL A | 3PL B | 3PL C |
|---|---|---|---|
| Account or setup fee | |||
| Receiving (per hour, pallet or carton) | |||
| Storage (per pallet, shelf or bin, per month) | |||
| Pick and pack (first item) | |||
| Pick and pack (each additional item) | |||
| Packaging and inserts | |||
| Kitting or assembly | |||
| Retail or B2B order handling | |||
| Returns processing | |||
| Monthly minimum | |||
| Estimated monthly total |
Frequently asked questions
Do cosmetics need lot or batch tracking at a 3PL?
You need to know which batch went to which customer if a batch is ever recalled or questioned. That only works if the 3PL captures batch codes on receiving and records them on shipments.
Are cosmetics hazardous materials for shipping?
Some are. Products with alcohol or flammable propellants, such as perfume, nail polish and aerosols, are often shipped as limited-quantity dangerous goods. Your 3PL and carrier decide based on the safety data sheet.
Can a 3PL assemble beauty kits and subscription boxes?
Many can. Ask how they price kitting, how far ahead they need components, and whether they record the component batches used in each kit.
Other 3PL specialties
Run a 3PL?
If you serve brands that make their own products, request a free listing. No paid placement.