Kuehne+Nagel

If you’re choosing a 3PL for a U.S.-based ecommerce brand, I’d shortlist these first:

My practical recommendation

For most ecommerce brands, I’d start here:

1. ShipBob — best “safe default” for normal-sized DTC products.
2. ShipMonk — if you do subscriptions, kits, bundles, launches, or crowdfunding.
3. Red Stag — if your products are heavy, expensive, fragile, oversized, or costly to mis-ship.
4. Amazon FBA/MCF — if Amazon is a major channel or you want the Amazon delivery network.
5. Flexport — if your pain is not just fulfillment, but inbound freight/imports + fulfillment.

If you’re enterprise / freight-heavy, look at different names

If you mean large-scale 3PL/logistics, not ecommerce fulfillment, the major U.S./North America players include Amazon, C.H. Robinson, GXO Logistics, J.B. Hunt, Expeditors, UPS Supply Chain Solutions, Kuehne+Nagel, Ryder, DSV, DHL Supply Chain, Lineage, Uber Freight, Penske, CEVA, GEODIS, Maersk Logistics, and Flexport. Armstrong & Associates’ 2026 report ranks the largest U.S.-based 3PLs by 2025 gross logistics revenue, with Amazon, C.H. Robinson, GXO, J.B. Hunt, and Expeditors at the top. (3plogistics.com)

Quick decision rule

• Lightweight Shopify/DTC brand: ShipBob
• Subscription boxes / kits / Kickstarter: ShipMonk
• Heavy, fragile, oversized, high-value: Red Stag
• Amazon-first: FBA; Amazon MCF for off-Amazon fulfillment
• Importing from overseas + fulfillment: Flexport
• Omnichannel retail / enterprise supply chain: Stord, GXO, DHL Supply Chain, Ryder, UPS SCS, CEVA, GEODIS

Before signing, ask each 3PL for an all-in sample invoice using your real SKU dimensions, order mix, storage needs, returns rate, kitting needs, and destinations. The “best” 3PL can become expensive fast if your product profile doesn’t match their network.

There’s no single “best” 3PL — the right one depends on your business size, shipping volume, where your customers are, and whether you need e-commerce fulfillment, freight forwarding, or full supply chain management. That said, these are the most widely used and highly respected 3PL companies right now, broken down by what people actually use them for.

🌍 Best Global / Enterprise 3PLs

These are the big players for large companies, international shipping, and complex supply chains.

• DHL Supply Chain — Massive global network, great for warehousing, distribution, and omnichannel logistics.
• Kuehne+Nagel — One of the world’s largest freight forwarders, especially strong in ocean and air freight.
• C.H. Robinson — Huge freight broker and logistics provider; widely used for truckload, LTL, and managed transportation.
• DSV — Major European 3PL with strong global forwarding and contract logistics.
• DB Schenker — Excellent for air/sea freight and supply chain consulting.

🚚 Best for Trucking / Freight Brokerage

If you need to move loads, book carriers, or manage a transportation network:

• C.H. Robinson — The go-to freight brokerage, with massive carrier network and strong technology.
• XPO Logistics — Big in LTL (less-than-truckload) and truckload services.
• Uber Freight — Popular with smaller shippers for simple digital freight booking.
• TQL (Total Quality Logistics) — One of the largest freight brokerages in North America.
• J.B. Hunt 360 — Great if you want a mix of asset-based trucking and digital brokerage.

📦 Best for E-commerce / Small-to-Mid-Sized Brands

If you’re an online seller, DTC brand, or Amazon seller, these are the names people actually use:

• ShipBob — Very popular with e-commerce brands; great integrations with Shopify, Amazon, TikTok Shop, and fast 2-day shipping options.
• ShipMonk — Similar to ShipBob, but especially good for subscription boxes, high-growth brands, and global fulfillment.
• Red Stag Fulfillment — Known for handling heavy, large, or high-value items with extremely accurate orders.
• Deliverr (Amazon) — Now part of Amazon; great if you want to qualify for Prime-style delivery and sell on multiple channels.
• eFulfillment Service — Long-time favorite for small/medium businesses that want personal support and no hidden fees.

⚡ Best Tech-First / Startup-Friendly 3PLs

These combine logistics with modern software, so you can track everything in real time.

• Flexport — Excellent for startups and mid-sized companies needing freight forwarding with a clean digital dashboard.
• ShipBob — Again, it’s tech-forward, with easy inventory tracking, analytics, and multi-channel fulfillment.
• Coyote Logistics (UPS) — Strong digital freight brokerage integrated with UPS services.

🧊 Best for Retail / Omnichannel / Large B2B

• Penske Logistics — Great for dedicated trucking, distribution, and supply chain management.
• Ryder Supply Chain Solutions — Excellent for automotive, industrial, and cold-chain logistics.
• UPS Supply Chain Solutions — If you already use UPS shipping, their 3PL arm handles warehousing, freight, and returns.