Denver, 08/21/2026
The Fulfillment Advisor released its 2026 Warehousing and Fulfillment Costs and Pricing Report, drawing on 9 years of proprietary pricing data (2017–2026) from third-party logistics (3PL) providers across North America (~80% US, 20% Canada respondents).
The findings show a market shifting into two directions at once. Warehouses gained real pricing power by charging more and keeping more of it, while also loosening contract terms and long-term storage penalties. For businesses negotiating 3PL deals this year, the report indicates rising costs are paired with flexible terms.
Key findings (YoY, 2025 vs. 2026):
- Average monthly minimum spend: $517 to $752.08 (+45.5%)
- Average corporate profit margin: 9.27% to 13.03% (+3.76 points)
- Warehouses charging long-term storage fees: 48.6% to 41% (-7.6 points)
- Month-to-month contracts (vs. longer terms): 30.23% to 50% (+20 points)
- Average DTC pick-and-pack fee (1 item): $3.21/order
Labor (33.97%) and occupancy (27.89%) are the two largest cost drivers, accounting for 61.86% of warehouse revenue. Setup fees are charged by 55% of providers (avg. $373.06) and account management fees by 37% (avg. $253.33/month). Regional data shows a wide variation, for example, warehouse rent per square foot ranges from roughly $5.77 in Texas to $18.00 in New Jersey.
“I didn’t expect this year’s numbers to cut both ways,” said Will Schneider, founder of The Fulfillment Advisor and author of the report. “Warehouses are charging more and keeping more of it, but they’re also giving ground on contract length and storage fees. If you’re negotiating this year, you need to know which is which — not just that ‘costs are up.’”
“Every year, businesses negotiate 3PL contracts without knowing what’s actually normal. This year, minimums and margins went up, but so did flexibility. I run this survey so brands can see the real picture instead of guessing.”
The full report, including regional breakdowns and methodology, is available at https://www.thefulfillmentadvisor.com/2026-warehouse-costs-and-pricing-survey/
About The Fulfillment Advisor:
The Fulfillment Advisor is a matching service that connects businesses with pre-screened third-party logistics (3PL) providers, helps businessess rent warehouse space, and assists businesses with buying and selling their companies. Formerly known as WarehousingAndFulfillment.com, the platform has operated since 2005 to help companies find and vet the best warehousing options.
