Warehouse services providers store, handle, and move goods for other businesses. That includes third-party logistics (3PL) operators, public warehouses, fulfillment shops, cross-dock and transload operators, and small outfits that offer pallet storage and pick-and-pack. Invoices usually bundle recurring storage charges with per-transaction handling fees and one-off accessorial charges.
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Warehouse work is billed by unit of activity rather than by the hour. Storage is charged per pallet position, per bin, or per square foot, usually monthly, and often with a minimum. Some warehouses use an initial storage charge on receipt plus a renewal charge each month or on each anniversary date. Handling is billed per pallet in and out, per case, per carton, or per piece, and fulfillment is billed per order plus per additional item picked. Value-added work such as labeling, kitting, repacking, and returns processing is billed per piece or per labor hour. Accessorial charges cover things like detention, after-hours receiving, special equipment, shrink wrap, pallets, and re-palletizing. Many contracts include a monthly minimum, an onboarding or setup fee, and an annual rate review or fuel-related adjustment on any freight you arrange. Larger accounts often negotiate a rate sheet, so the invoice should map line by line to that sheet.
| Service | Priced | Typical range |
|---|---|---|
| Pallet storage (standard 48x40) | per pallet per month | $12-30 |
| Pallet receiving / put-away | per pallet | $6-15 |
| Pallet shipping / load-out | per pallet | $6-15 |
| Pick and pack (e-commerce order) | per order (first item) | $2.50-5.00 |
| Additional item picked | per item | $0.25-1.00 |
| Labeling, kitting, or repackaging labor | per hour | $30-55 |
| Container unload (floor-loaded 40 ft) | per container | $350-800 |
| Returns processing | per unit | $2-6 |
Typical US ranges. Rates vary by region, experience, and job size.
| Description | Qty | Rate | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pallet storage, March (average 40 positions, 48x40) | 40 pallet | $18.00 | $720.00 |
| Inbound receiving and put-away (PO 4471, 12 pallets) | 12 pallet | $9.00 | $108.00 |
| E-commerce orders picked and packed (first item) | 620 order | $3.25 | $2,015.00 |
| Additional items picked | 410 item | $0.50 | $205.00 |
| Relabeling of cartons (FNSKU labels) | 6 hour | $38.00 | $228.00 |
| Stretch wrap and pallet materials | 12 pallet | $4.00 | $48.00 |
| Total | $3,324.00 | ||
Notes: Payment due net 30 from invoice date. Storage billed monthly on average daily pallet count. A 1.5% monthly late fee applies to balances past due. Inventory report for the billing period is attached. Questions about charges must be sent within 15 days of invoice date.
Storage and handling charges are tied to a date range. Clients will check the numbers against their own inventory counts.
Average daily, end-of-month, or peak counts give different totals. State the method so the storage line is not disputed.
Matching each handling charge to a document lets the client tie your invoice to their purchase and sales records.
Detention, after-hours work, shrink wrap, and re-palletizing should appear on their own lines with quantities, so they do not look like padding.
For value-added work, list the task, hours, and date. Clients often want to verify the hours against what was requested.
Pointing to the agreed rates shows the charges match the agreement and reduces back-and-forth.
If a monthly minimum applies, show the calculation so a slow month does not look like a billing error.
Most warehouse providers invoice storage monthly and handling either weekly or monthly, with net 15 or net 30 terms. Smaller or new accounts are often asked for a deposit or a prepaid balance, and some shops hold inventory release if an account is far past due, which is often permitted under the warehouse agreement and in many states by a warehouse lien, so check your contract and local rules. Late fees of 1% to 1.5% per month are common if written into the agreement. ACH and wire are standard for business clients, with checks and cards used for smaller accounts, and card payments are sometimes subject to a surcharge to cover fees.
Decide whether you bill storage on average daily count, month-end count, or per pallet received with monthly renewals, and write it down. Most storage disputes come from clients assuming a different method.
Record detention, special requests, and extra labor on the day they occur and attach the note or email approving it. Adding them months later makes them hard to collect.
Minimums cover your fixed cost of space, racking, and systems when a client's volume drops. Show the minimum on the invoice when it applies.
Count discrepancies, damaged goods, and unreceived freight cause credits and re-bills. Resolve them before the invoice goes out, not after.
Labor, rent, and equipment costs change. Include a clause allowing an annual rate adjustment with 30 to 60 days notice.
Pick one method and put it in the agreement. Common choices are average daily pallet count, peak count, or a per-pallet initial charge with a renewal each month on the anniversary date. Average daily count is the fairest for clients with fluctuating inventory.
Often you can keep charging storage, and in many states a warehouse has a statutory lien on stored goods for unpaid charges if a proper warehouse receipt or agreement exists. Rules differ, so check your state law and have a written agreement before relying on it.
It depends on the state. Some states tax storage or certain services, others do not, and resale or exemption certificates may apply. Check with your state revenue department or an accountant.
Handle claims separately from invoices. Your agreement should state liability limits, often a per-pound or declared-value cap. Issue a credit memo against the invoice if you owe a credit, rather than editing past invoices.
1% to 1.5% per month on the overdue balance is common in B2B work. It must be stated in your contract or on earlier invoices, and some states cap the rate, so check local rules.
Send a Warehouse Services estimate for approval, then turn it into an invoice when the work is done.
Warehouse Services estimate template