Lapasar
Logistics & Fulfilment

Third-party Logistics (3PL)

Also known as: 3PL

Third-party logistics (3PL) is the outsourcing of warehousing, transport and fulfilment activities to a specialist external provider.

WhatsApp us rfqme@lapasar.com

A 3PL provider handles logistics functions on a business's behalf — storing stock, picking and packing orders, arranging transport and managing deliveries — so the business can focus on its core activities. It lets companies scale distribution without investing in their own warehouses and fleets.

The trade-off is less direct control over the customer's delivery experience. Some operators choose instead to own their logistics: a marketplace that runs its own warehouses and delivery fleet across Peninsular Malaysia keeps fulfilment accountability in-house rather than relying on a 3PL, which can make service more predictable.

Frequently asked questions

What is third-party logistics?
Third-party logistics (3PL) is outsourcing warehousing, transport and fulfilment to a specialist provider, letting a business scale distribution without owning its own warehouses and fleet.
What is the difference between 3PL and in-house logistics?
With 3PL, an external provider runs your logistics; with in-house logistics you own the warehouses, staff and vehicles. In-house gives more control over delivery, while 3PL offers flexibility without heavy capital investment.

Explore related across the knowledge graph

GuideMRO procurementThe spare parts, tools, safety and consumables that keep facilities and equipment running — critical, fragmented and easy to overspend on.GuideProcure-to-payThe operational cycle that turns an approved need into a purchase order, a delivery, a matched invoice and a payment.GuideSupplier scorecardsHow to measure supplier performance over time with a weighted scorecard — turning quality, delivery, price and service into evidence you can act on.SolutionAI Procurement Software in MalaysiaAI procurement software for Malaysian enterprises — AI spend categorization, price benchmarking, GL code detection and approver insights on a full workflow platform that also executes what it recommends through 10,000+ suppliers and owned fulfilment.SolutionB2B Procurement & Supplies in CyberjayaB2B supplier for Cyberjaya and Putrajaya's tech and government corridor — office, pantry, cleaning and facilities goods on one managed account with contract pricing, credit terms and free delivery on orders from RM1,000.SolutionB2B Procurement & Supplies in IpohB2B supplier for Ipoh and Kinta Valley businesses — office, pantry, cleaning, MRO, packaging and safety goods on one managed account with contract pricing, credit terms and free delivery on orders from RM1,000 in Perak.ToolInventory Carrying Cost CalculatorEstimate the annual cost of the stock sitting in your storeroom.ToolVendor Risk AssessmentScore a vendor's financial, delivery, quality and continuity risk.TemplateGoods Received Note (GRN) TemplateAn Excel GRN to record and inspect deliveries, flag quantity variances and feed three-way matching.TemplateOffice Supplies Inventory TemplateAn Excel inventory for office and pantry supplies with reorder points that flag what to replenish.TemplateSupplier Audit ChecklistAn Excel and PDF checklist to audit a supplier's quality, delivery, compliance and controls, with an automatic score.ComparisonBuild vs buy a platformBuild vs buy a procurement platform: why AI makes the ordering software easy to build, but the supplier network, pricing, credit and owned fulfilment underneath are the real decision.ComparisonFull-Service vs Facilitator Procurement ModelsTwo models of B2B procurement in Malaysia compared: full-service marketplaces with owned fulfilment vs facilitator, software-only platforms — and who owns the outcome.ComparisonLapasar vs ERP procurementLapasar vs ERP procurement modules: Malaysian B2B marketplace with owned fulfilment versus procurement built into an enterprise ERP suite.ResearchSupplier Risk Report 2026The supplier risks Malaysian enterprises carry in 2026 — continuity, concentration, compliance, financial and delivery — and how consolidation and visibility reduce them.
Back to the procurement glossary

Put procurement theory into practice

Talk to our team about wholesale pricing, credit terms, sourcing support and delivery across Peninsular Malaysia — or explore the marketplace built for Malaysian enterprises.

Request a demoExplore enterprise procurement

Prefer to talk to a real person?

Our team replies fast on WhatsApp and email — no forms, no waiting.

WhatsApp us rfqme@lapasar.com