Packaging for 3PLs and Fulfillment Centers
Packaging delivered into the fulfillment centerAugust Packaging supplies custom boxes, mailers and packing-station supplies to third-party logistics providers and the e-commerce brands they ship for. With local supply and sales support in every major U.S. market, we deliver to your fulfillment centers and handle the inbound paperwork, so packaging shows up ready to receive.
Built for how fulfillment actually works
For 3PLs
Offer your merchants a packaging program without becoming a packaging company. We spec, quote and source the packaging. You keep it moving through your buildings.
For brands using a 3PL
Get branded, right-sized packaging delivered straight into your fulfillment center's receiving process, whichever hub it goes to.
For in-house fulfillment
Running your own warehouse? We set up stocking programs and VMI so your packing stations never run out.
Packaging we supply for fulfillment
- Custom printed mailer boxes and roll-end tuck-front boxes for subscription and DTC brands.
- Right-sized corrugated shipping boxes that cut dimensional (DIM) weight charges and void fill.
- Poly mailers and poly bubble mailers, stock or custom printed.
- Stock shipping boxes in common sizes for fast-moving SKUs.
- Packing-station supplies: carton sealing and water-activated tape, void fill, tissue, and stock and custom labels.
- Outbound and warehouse supplies: stretch film, corner boards and pallet supplies.
Delivered straight into the fulfillment center
Getting packaging into a fulfillment center is its own job. Each building has receiving appointments, inbound notices and pallet rules. We've built our process around it:
- Ship direct from the plant to the fulfillment center, or pull from local stock at our 3PL partner facilities when it makes more sense.
- Inbound paperwork handled: we work with your 3PL's warehouse receiving orders (WROs) or ASNs and reference them on every shipment.
- Pallet labels on every pallet, with pallet counts and units per pallet confirmed before the truck leaves.
- Full truckload or LTL, to one hub or split across several.
- Order tracking from purchase order to delivery, so everyone knows when packaging lands.
A packaging program your 3PL sales team can sell
3PL sales and onboarding teams aren't packaging engineers, and they shouldn't have to be. We give them a simple intake: what's being shipped, the dimensions and weight, quantities and branding. Then we come back with:
- A recommended box or mailer spec
- Pricing at several order quantities
- One-time tooling costs (dies and print plates)
- Lead time and delivery plan to the right hub
We can bill the 3PL directly so packaging rolls into your own merchant billing, or bill the brand. Whichever fits your model.
Cut shipping costs with right-sized packaging
Carriers charge by dimensional weight, so every extra inch of box costs money on every order. We help brands and 3PLs:
- Size boxes to the product instead of the nearest stock box
- Swap boxes for mailers where the product allows
- Pick the lightest board grade that still protects the product
- Reduce void fill and packing time per order
Start with our Box Design Tool: pick a style, set the size and upload artwork, and we'll quote it.
Local supply in every major U.S. market
Headquartered in St. Louis since 1987, August Packaging has 3PL partner facilities supporting every major market in the U.S., including Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas, Kansas City, Louisville, St. Louis and Northern and Southern California. You get local supply and a sales team that supports you wherever you ship from. See our locations.
Why 3PLs and brands work with August Packaging
- Packaging distributor since 1987, with a national network of corrugated, poly and printing plants.
- Local supply and sales support in every major U.S. market, including Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas, Kansas City, Louisville, St. Louis and Northern and Southern California.
- Custom and stock in one place, from short runs to programs across many merchants.
- Packing-line equipment through August Automation: case erectors, case sealers, baggers and void-fill systems.
3PL packaging FAQs
Can you ship packaging directly to our fulfillment center?
Yes. We ship from the manufacturing plant or from local stock at our 3PL partner facilities straight to the fulfillment center. We reference your receiving order or ASN and label every pallet so it can be received quickly.
Do you work with 3PLs that have multiple fulfillment centers?
Yes. We regularly deliver to multiple hubs for the same 3PL and can split an order across buildings.
What are your minimums for custom printed mailer boxes?
It depends on the style, size and print method. Digital printing allows shorter runs, and flexo printing is the most economical at higher volumes. Send us your specs, or use the Box Design Tool, and we'll quote several quantities.
Can our 3PL resell packaging to our merchants?
Yes. We can bill the 3PL directly so packaging becomes part of your service. We provide spec and pricing details your team can use to quote your merchants.
How do you help reduce DIM weight charges?
We right-size boxes and mailers to the product, choose lighter board grades where possible and cut void fill. Smaller, lighter packages cost less to ship on every order.
Set up a fulfillment packaging program
Whether you run the warehouse or ship through one, tell us what you're packing and where it ships. We'll handle the rest.