How much does fulfilment cost for an online shop? Real-world pricing and calculation examples (2026)

“That sounds good, but how much will it cost per month?” – This is the question we get asked most often. And it’s the right question. Because outsourcing logistics only makes sense if it’s financially worthwhile.

The problem is that fulfilment doesn’t have a single price. It’s a combination of several factors that varies depending on your volume, the type of goods and the chosen carrier. In this article, we’ll show you what the price consists of, what the real figures are in 2026 and how to calculate whether it’s worth it for you.

How much does fulfilment cost? In 2026, the average e-shop will pay approximately €3.80–€5.50 (excluding VAT) to process a single-item order (including delivery within Slovakia). The exact amount depends on the weight of the parcel, the number of items and the chosen courier.

What does the fulfilment price consist of? (Cost structure)

Fulfillment is not a single fixed amount. It is the sum of variable fees that reflect the actual use of warehouse space and capacity. If you aren’t selling, you pay almost nothing. If you sell a lot, the price per item decreases.

1. Warehousing

Basic charge – you pay for the space your goods occupy. This is billed on a monthly basis (some warehouses on a daily basis), according to the space occupied:

• Pallet space: Ideal for bulkier or heavier goods (furniture, appliances, toiletries, books).
• Shelf space (box/bin): For small goods – cosmetics, electronics, clothing, dietary supplements.
• Entire shelf position: For medium-sized goods with a larger number of SKUs.

Tip: Modern warehouses charge based on the space actually occupied on a given day. If you dispatch goods quickly and the shelf is empty, you pay significantly less.

2. Order processing – Pick & Pack

This is the heart of the whole service. It includes the warehouse staff’s time spent picking, checking, packing and labelling the goods. At Pack4You, pricing is simple – it depends on the weight of the shipment, not the number of items in the order:

• Basic fee for orders up to 5 kg – a fixed price regardless of how many products the order contains.
• Surcharge for each kilogram over 5 kg – each additional kilogram is charged separately.

3. Packaging materials

At Pack4You, packaging materials are already included in the order processing price – no hidden extra charges. The price covers the box, filling material and shipping label.

If you have your own branded packaging, we’ll be happy to incorporate it into the packing process so that every order represents your brand.

4. Shipping and delivery

Thanks to high volumes, Pack4You has negotiated rates with couriers (DPD, SPS, Packeta, DHL...) that small senders cannot access on their own. This saving is one of the strongest arguments in favour of fulfilment.

5. One-off and occasional charges

• Cash on delivery: Fee for processing and transferring cash.
• Returns processing: For receiving, checking and restocking returned goods.
• Special labelling: Adding EAN codes, safety labels, etc.

Overview of typical fulfilment prices in 2026 (Slovakia)

The following table shows indicative price ranges common on the Slovak market:

Item	Price from	Price to
Storage – pallet space / month	€15.00	€35.00
Storage – shelf space / month	€3.00	€10.00
Order processing (1 item)	€0.80	€1.50
Each additional item in the order	€0.20	€0.50
Packaging material (standard parcel)	€0.40	€1.20
Shipping within Slovakia – courier (up to 5 kg)	€2.20	€3.50
Shipping within Slovakia – collection point	€1.50	€2.50
Return processing	€0.80	€2.00

Note: Prices are indicative and exclude VAT. The exact price list depends on the volume, type of goods and agreed terms. Contact Pack4you for a bespoke quote.

Real-life calculation examples: what will you pay each month?

The theory is all well and good. Let’s look at specific figures for three typical e-shop profiles:

Example A: A start-up e-shop selling natural products

• Volume: 120 orders per month, average of 1.5 items per order
• Products: Cosmetics, small items (5–10 shelf positions)
• Cost estimate: Storage ~€50, pick & pack ~€150, packaging ~€60, shipping ~€270

Total costs: approx. €530–700 per month

Cost per order: approx. €4.40 – €5.80

What you get: 40+ hours a month freed up for marketing and sales, no packaging hassles whilst on holiday.

Example B: Growing fashion e-shop

• Volume: 600 orders per month, average 1.8 items
• Products: Clothing and accessories (2 pallet spaces + 20 shelf positions)
• Estimated costs: Storage ~€200, pick & pack ~€700, packing ~€300, shipping ~€1,500

Total costs: approx. €2,700 – €3,500 / month

Cost per order: approx. €4.50 – €5.80

What you get: Scalable capacity without warehouse rent, seasonal peaks without temporary staff.

Example C: Medium-sized electronics e-shop

• Volume: 1,500 orders per month, average 1.2 items
• Goods: Electronics (10 pallet spaces)
• Estimated costs: Storage ~€400, pick & pack ~€1,400, packaging ~€600, transport ~€3,500

Total costs: approx. €5,900 – €7,500 / month

Cost per order: approx. €3.90 – €5.00

Economies of scale: With higher volumes, the cost per order decreases – fulfilment becomes more cost-effective as volumes increase.

Hidden fees to watch out for

When comparing price lists from different fulfilment companies, always ask about these items – some firms hide them in the terms and conditions:

1. Minimum volume fee: Some centres charge a monthly minimum. If you dispatch less, you still pay it.
2. Inventory fee: Regular physical stock-taking – sometimes included in the price, sometimes charged separately.
3. Fee for bulky items: Non-standard dimensions, weight over the limit – this can be a source of surprises.
4. Returns management fee: If e-shops have a 20–30% return rate, this can be a significant cost.
5. System integration fee: Shoptet / WooCommerce integration – one-off or monthly?

Pack4you: Transparent pricing with no hidden fees. Before signing the contract, you’ll receive a detailed quote tailored to your specific needs.

Calculator: Is fulfilment worth it for me?

Before you decide, answer these 4 questions and add up the monthly costs of managing your own logistics:

1. Warehouse rent (including utilities and insurance): _____ € / month

2. Warehouse staff wages or owner’s time × hourly rate: _____ € / month

3. Packaging materials (boxes, tape, padding): _____ € / month

4. Costs of errors (complaints, reshipments): _____ € / month 

Total = _____ € 

If the total is higher than €1.50–€2.00 per parcel (excluding delivery), Pack4you’s fulfilment service will save you money from the very first month.

Why choose Pack4you? Location as a competitive advantage

Pack4you operates a fulfilment centre right in Bratislava – a strategic location for fast dispatch across Slovakia and to neighbouring countries.

• Later cut-off time: Thanks to our proximity to the depots of major couriers, we dispatch orders received in the morning on the very same day – that’s the speed customers love.
• Lower shipping costs: Volume = better prices. You’ll save 15–40% compared to your own rates.
• No minimum order quantities: Suitable for e-shops with 50 or more orders per month. You don’t pay for capacity you don’t use.
• Transparency: An online portal with real-time stock levels, dispatch history and invoices all in one place.

Conclusion: Fulfillment pays off for most e-shops sooner than they expect

Many e-shop owners put off the decision to outsource logistics because they feel they “aren’t big enough yet”. In practice, the opposite is true – the sooner you bring fulfilment on board, the sooner you’ll save time and money for growth.

Fulfillment from Pack4you isn’t an expense – it’s an investment that, at the right volume, pays for itself in savings on costs, time and stress. And the price? It’s lower than most online shops expect.

→ Would you like a precise quote for your online shop? Contact Pack4you – the quote is free and non-binding.