What is third-party logistics (3PL)?
Third-party logistics, or 3PL, means outsourcing all or part of your logistics operations to an external logistics partner. The 3PL provider supplies the resources, systems and infrastructure needed to manage the flow of goods. The terms contract logistics and TPL are also used in Sweden to describe the same service.
Related logistics services
Fulfillment and On-site logistics are closely related to 3PL, but work in different ways. Fulfillment covers the customer order, from the moment an order is placed until the goods have been delivered or, when needed, returned. For online stores, our e-commerce logistics solution brings together warehousing, picking and packing, shipping and returns.
On-site logistics works differently and is an alternative to 3PL. Your company keeps its own warehouse but outsources its operation. Posti provides the workforce and manages the flow of goods at your premises.
When is 3PL the right solution?
Third-party logistics can be a good choice when running your own warehouse would tie up more capital and staff than the business requires. It is common among fast-growing small and medium-sized companies, as well as larger companies looking to scale, enter new markets or improve existing flows.
3PL often becomes relevant in situations like these:
Growth: volumes are increasing faster than the company can expand or staff its own warehouse. Investing capital and lead time in additional warehouse space may not make financial sense when those resources could support business growth instead.
New markets: the company is entering a new country and needs warehousing, distribution and customs services in place from the start.
Seasonal peaks and campaigns: volumes vary so much during the year that an in-house warehouse is either half-empty for long periods or too small when demand peaks.
Multiple channels: the same product range must be delivered to both stores and consumers, with different delivery requirements.
Special requirements: products require traceability or permits, making an approved warehouse and well-established processes more important than proximity to the company office.
What a 3PL solution with Posti can include
You decide the scope. A solution can start with warehousing and expand over time. Posti’s 3PL services include:
Warehousing and fulfillment: goods are stored in our own 3PL warehouses, including inbound handling, picking, packing, dispatch and returns.
Transport and distribution: transport by road, sea and air across the Nordics and onward to 190 countries through our international partner network.
Customs services: customs handling for trade with Norway and other countries outside the EU. We can handle occasional shipments outside your regular transport flows as your freight forwarder.
Packaging: packaging solutions tailored to the goods, from small items to heavy freight weighing up to 40 tonnes.
How it works
Tell us about your flows. Share volumes, order-line numbers, seasonal patterns and customer locations. This helps us identify which parts of the logistics chain are suitable for outsourcing.
We propose a solution. The proposal covers the warehouse solution, services and pricing model based on your volumes and needs. We then refine the setup with you to suit your operations and sales flows.
Implementation. The goods are moved in, item data is set up and our systems are connected to your enterprise resource planning system. We also put the right staff and procedures in place before the first outbound deliveries.
Operations and follow-up. We manage the daily flow and monitor inventory, orders and returns. Space and staffing can be adjusted as volumes change
Strategically located 3PL warehouses serving the Nordics and Baltics
Posti has six 3PL locations in Sweden and Norway. From these warehouses, goods can be distributed to customers throughout the Nordics and Baltics:
Arlanda and Nykvarn: 3PL warehouses north and south-west of Stockholm.
Jönköping and Skillingaryd: located along the E4 motorway in Småland.
Borås: in western Sweden, one hour from Gothenburg.
Norway: the sixth location, serving deliveries to customers in Norway.
Together, these strategic locations provide more than 250,000 square metres of warehouse and logistics space. They serve customers across Sweden and Norway, while Posti’s delivery network in Finland and the Baltics provides access to markets on the other side of the Baltic Sea.
The difference between 3PL and 4PL
The main difference between 3PL and 4PL is the level of responsibility taken by the logistics partner. With third-party logistics, operational activities such as warehousing, order fulfillment and distribution are outsourced.
Fourth-party logistics, or 4PL, involves broader, more strategic responsibility. A 4PL provider often takes a coordinating and managing role, which may include planning flows, selecting and coordinating logistics providers and carriers, and monitoring the full flow from factory to end customer. This is known as supply chain management. The company outsources not only the execution, but also more of the management and coordination. A 4PL provider does not necessarily perform every logistics activity itself. If you simply want to hand over the management of your transports, our transport management service is a good fit. We handle procurement, bookings and performance monitoring for you.
What a 3PL partnership with Posti looks like
A 3PL partnership with Posti is based on clear responsibilities. We manage warehouse operations, staffing and systems, while you retain control of your product range, sales and customer relationships. We review the setup regularly and adjust capacity as volumes change.
This was the approach when Ramcon established its medical technology business in Sweden. Ramcon compared several 3PL providers before choosing Posti. Since the partnership began in 2024, delivery accuracy has remained above 97 per cent and picking accuracy has reached 99.7 per cent.
At the same time, the cost per delivery has fallen by at least 25 per cent. Warehouse capacity in Borås has quadrupled in just over a year, without any interruptions to deliveries.