> ## Documentation Index > Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://help.jetpack3pl.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further. # Transitioning from Another 3PL > Switching fulfillment providers doesn't have to be painful. Here's how Jetpack makes the transition smooth with phased transfers, parallel operations, and hands-on support.

Changing 3PLs can feel risky—what if something goes wrong during the transition? What if orders get lost between systems? What if you run out of inventory mid-switch? Jetpack is proud of how we guide our brands through this process, and we've refined it into a smooth, low-risk transition that keeps your fulfillment running without interruption.

## Why Brands Switch to Jetpack Before we get into the "how," let's talk about the "why." Most brands transition to Jetpack for one (or more) of these reasons: **Support frustrations** Tired of waiting days for ticket responses or dealing with support reps who don't know your account? Jetpack's [dedicated Slack channel](/fulfillment/jetpack-care) puts you in direct contact with an account manager who knows your business. **Hidden fees and surprise costs** Many 3PLs have complex pricing structures with hidden storage fees, receiving surcharges, and ambiguous handling costs. Jetpack offers transparent, customized pricing with no surprises. **Lack of proactive communication** Most 3PLs are reactive—you find out about problems after they've already impacted your customers. Jetpack proactively monitors inventory levels, shipment delays, and integration issues, reaching out before problems escalate. **Limited scalability or global reach** Outgrowing a regional 3PL with limited warehouse locations? Jetpack's [60+ fulfillment center network](/fulfillment/warehouse-network) and MultiHub IQ technology support expansion without switching providers again. **Poor technology or integration challenges** Clunky dashboards, manual processes, or unreliable integrations slow down operations. Jetpack's platform is built for growing brands with modern integrations and automation. If any of these sound familiar, you're in the right place. *** ## The Transition Process: How It Works Switching 3PLs isn't instant, but it doesn't have to be complicated either. Jetpack's transition process is designed to minimize risk and keep your fulfillment running smoothly throughout the changeover. ### Phase 1: Planning and Setup (Week 1-2) The first step is getting your Jetpack account set up and ready to receive orders and inventory. Your dedicated account manager schedules a kickoff call to understand your current fulfillment setup, pain points, and transition goals. This is where we map out the transition plan together. We'll connect your ecommerce platforms (Shopify, Amazon, BigCommerce, etc.) to Jetpack so orders can start flowing once you're ready. Learn more about [integrations and apps](/fulfillment/account-setup/integrations-overview). Products from your store sync automatically into Jetpack. You'll review product details (dimensions, weight, packaging) to ensure accurate fulfillment. See our guide on [syncing products](/fulfillment/account-setup/syncing-products). Set up default carriers, shipping methods, packaging options, and returns preferences. Your Jetpack Care team helps optimize these settings based on your order volume and customer distribution. Decide whether to do a full cutover (switch everything at once) or a phased transition (gradually move SKUs or fulfillment centers over time). Your account manager will recommend the best approach based on your inventory complexity and risk tolerance. *** ### Phase 2: Inventory Transfer (Week 2-4) Getting your inventory from your current 3PL to Jetpack is the most critical part of the transition. We offer several approaches: ## Phased Transfer (Lower Risk) The preferred option. Gradually move inventory over several weeks, running parallel operations with your old 3PL during the transition. **How it works:** 1. Identify which SKUs to move first (e.g., bestsellers, new products, or specific categories). If stock allows, dividing all SKUs in half allows for a seamless transition. 2. Create WROs for the first batch and ship from your current 3PL to Jetpack 3. Configure order routing rules so shipped SKUs fulfill from Jetpack while others continue fulfilling from your old 3PL 4. Move remaining stock or SKUs in batches until all inventory is at Jetpack **Best for:** * Brands with larger product catalogs * Multi-location setups requiring coordination * Brands who want to test Jetpack before fully committing **Timeline:** 3-6 weeks for complete transition **Risk:** Very low. You maintain fulfillment continuity throughout the process. ## Full Cutover (Fastest) Sometimes you've just got to get out of there. This option transfers all inventory from your current 3PL to Jetpack in one shipment. **How it works:** 1. Create a WRO (Warehouse Receiving Order) in Jetpack for all SKUs 2. Request your current 3PL to ship inventory to Jetpack's fulfillment center(s) 3. Pause order fulfillment at your old 3PL (or set a cutoff date) 4. Once Jetpack receives and checks in inventory, orders begin flowing to Jetpack **Best for:** * Brands with straightforward inventory (fewer than 100 SKUs) * Single fulfillment center operations * Brands willing to accept a brief period of downtime * Brands ready to make a clean break from their current provider **Timeline:** 1-2 weeks from shipment to full operation **Risk:** Medium, but low if planned correctly. Jetpack expedites receiving for transition shipments. ## Parallel Operations (Zero Downtime) Run both 3PLs simultaneously for a period, gradually shifting order volume from your old provider to Jetpack. **How it works:** 1. Send new inventory replenishments to Jetpack while keeping existing inventory at your old 3PL 2. Configure order routing to send a percentage of orders to Jetpack (e.g., start with 20%, then 50%, then 100%) 3. As inventory depletes at your old 3PL, increase the percentage of orders routed to Jetpack 4. Once old 3PL inventory is depleted, fully transition to Jetpack **Best for:** * High-volume brands who can't afford any fulfillment disruption * Brands with seasonal inventory cycles * Brands with enough inventory to support the plan * Brands who want maximum safety during the transition **Timeline:** 4-8 weeks depending on inventory turnover **Risk:** Minimal. You maintain full redundancy during transition. Your Jetpack Care team will help you choose the right approach based on your inventory, order volume, and business priorities. Every transition plan is ultimately custom and tailored to you. *** ### Phase 3: Testing and Validation (Week 3-5) Before fully cutting over, we validate that everything is working correctly. **What we test:** * **Order flow** – Place test orders to ensure they route correctly to Jetpack * **Inventory accuracy** – Verify received quantities match what was sent * **Shipping rules** – Confirm carrier selection, ship options, and delivery times are correct * **Integration syncing** – Check that orders, tracking, and inventory sync properly with your store * **Returns processing** – Test return label generation and returns handling Your Jetpack Care team coordinates testing and addresses any issues before live orders begin flowing. *** ### Phase 4: Go Live and Monitor (Week 4-6) Once testing is complete, it's time to flip the switch. Pause fulfillment at your old 3PL and enable order fulfillment at Jetpack. If doing a phased transition, increase the percentage of orders routed to Jetpack. Your Jetpack Care team watches operations closely during the first week, proactively checking for any issues with order flow, inventory accuracy, or carrier performance. After the first week, your account manager schedules a debrief to review how the transition went and identify any optimization opportunities (carrier selection, packaging, automation rules, etc.). Once you're confident in Jetpack operations, you can close your account with your previous 3PL. Your account manager can advise on timing to avoid unnecessary storage fees. *** ## Common Transition Challenges (And How We Handle Them) **Challenge: "What if my current 3PL won't ship inventory out?"** Some 3PLs make it difficult to transfer inventory, requiring lengthy notice periods or charging excessive transfer fees. Your Jetpack Care team can help navigate these conversations and, if necessary, recommend alternative approaches like running down inventory naturally while sending new stock to Jetpack. **Challenge: "I have inventory in multiple locations. How do I coordinate that?"** If your current 3PL operates multiple warehouses, we can create separate WROs for each location and coordinate receiving timing. With [MultiHub IQ](/fulfillment/warehouse-network#what-is-multihub-iq), you can consolidate to a single Hero Hub and let Jetpack handle distribution. **Challenge: "What happens to orders that were placed before the cutover but haven't shipped yet?"** We coordinate with your old 3PL to ensure in-progress orders complete there. New orders placed after the cutover date automatically route to Jetpack. Your Jetpack Care team monitors this closely to prevent any orders from falling through the cracks. **Challenge: "My products have lot numbers or serial numbers. How does that transfer?"** Lot-tracked and serialized inventory requires extra care during transition. Jetpack supports lot tracking and can receive inventory with specific lot numbers and expiration dates. Your account manager will walk you through the process. **Challenge: "I'm worried about downtime during peak season."** We strongly recommend avoiding major transitions during your peak sales periods (e.g., Q4 holiday season). If timing is unavoidable, we can design a more conservative phased approach to minimize risk. Your Jetpack Care team will advise on timing. *** ## What to Prepare Before Transitioning To make your transition as smooth as possible, gather this information before kickoff: **Current 3PL Details** * Name of your current provider and fulfillment center locations * Contract terms and notice requirements * Any outstanding fees or charges * Inventory transfer policies **Inventory Information** * Current inventory levels by SKU and location * Product dimensions, weights, and packaging details * Special handling requirements (HAZMAT, temperature-controlled, fragile, etc.) * Lot numbers or expiration dates (if applicable) **Order Volume and Patterns** * Average daily/monthly order volume * Peak season order volumes * Geographic distribution of customers * Average order value and units per order **Integration Details** * Which ecommerce platforms you use (Shopify, Amazon, etc.) * Any middleware or order management systems (ShipStation, Skubana, etc.) * Custom integrations or API connections **Current Pain Points** * What's not working with your current 3PL? * What do you want to improve? * What's non-negotiable in your new fulfillment setup? Your Jetpack Care team will guide you through gathering this information during the kickoff call. *** ## Transition Timeline at a Glance | Week | Phase | Key Activities | | ------------ | -------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | **Week 1-2** | Planning & Setup | Kickoff call, connect integrations, sync products, configure settings, choose transition approach | | **Week 2-4** | Inventory Transfer | Create WROs, ship inventory from old 3PL to Jetpack, receive and check in inventory | | **Week 3-5** | Testing & Validation | Test orders, verify inventory accuracy, validate integrations, check shipping rules | | **Week 4-6** | Go Live & Monitor | Cutover to Jetpack, monitor operations closely, debrief and optimize, close old 3PL account | Total timeline varies based on your chosen approach (full cutover vs. phased vs. parallel), but most transitions complete within 4-6 weeks. *** ## Transition FAQs Jetpack doesn't charge receiving fees for initial transition inventory. You'll pay shipping costs to transport inventory from your current 3PL to Jetpack, but we waive standard receiving fees to make the transition affordable. Your account manager will provide a detailed quote. It's possible but not recommended. Transitions involve some risk, and you don't want to add complexity during your highest-volume periods. Ideally, plan transitions during slower months. If timing is unavoidable, we'll design a conservative phased approach. While we're confident you'll love working with Jetpack, we understand the concern. There are no long-term contracts locking you in. If Jetpack isn't the right fit, you can transition out just as you transitioned in. We don't hold inventory hostage. Eventually, yes—but timing matters. Some 3PLs require 30-60 days' notice to close accounts. Check your contract terms. Your Jetpack Care team can advise on when and how to communicate your transition plans. If you're running parallel operations, you can configure return labels to route back to your old 3PL or Jetpack based on where the order originally shipped from. Once fully transitioned, all returns come to Jetpack. Your account manager will set this up. While we can't directly negotiate on your behalf, your Jetpack Care team can advise on common contract terms, typical exit fees, and strategies for a smooth exit. We've even sat in on meetings with the exiting 3PL. We've seen it all and can help you navigate difficult conversations. *** ## Let's Dive Deeper Back to the main fulfillment overview Learn about our dedicated Slack support during your transition Explore our 60+ fulfillment centers and MultiHub IQ Learn how to create WROs for transition shipments Full onboarding guide for new clients Connect your ecommerce platforms seamlessly **Questions? Contact Jetpack Care.** Every transition is unique. Your Jetpack Care team will design a custom transition plan tailored to your inventory, order volume, and risk tolerance. Reach out to start planning your smooth switch to Jetpack.