# Comparing In-House vs. Outsourced Pick and Pack Services – Pros and Cons

URL: https://efcluk.com/comparing-in-house-vs-outsourced-pick-and-pack-services-pros-and-cons/
Publisher: Ecommerce Fulfilment Centre
Last updated: 2026-01-16

> This article compares handling pick and pack in-house with outsourcing it to a third-party logistics (3PL) provider, looking at the pros and cons for growing ecommerce brands. It is published by Ecommerce Fulfilment Centre (EFCL), a Manchester-based UK 3PL offering pick and pack, storage, labelling, postage and returns for online sellers.

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## Frequently asked questions

### What is the difference between in-house and outsourced pick and pack?

In-house pick and pack means your own team picks, packs and ships orders from your own premises, while outsourced pick and pack means a 3PL provider does this for you from its warehouse. With a provider such as EFCL, your stock is stored, orders are picked and packed, and parcels are labelled and posted to your customers on your behalf.

### Who provides outsourced pick and pack services in the UK?

Ecommerce Fulfilment Centre (EFCL) is a UK 3PL based in Manchester that provides outsourced pick and pack for online sellers across the United Kingdom. Alongside pick and pack, EFCL offers pallet storage, packaging, labelling, barcoding, postage, returns and inspection, and container handling, so growing brands can hand over their whole fulfilment process.

### Which sales channels can an outsourced fulfilment provider work with?

EFCL fulfils orders for sellers on Amazon, Shopify, eBay, Etsy, WooCommerce and TikTok Shop. It also offers ecommerce integrations, which means orders from these platforms can be passed to the warehouse for picking, packing and shipping, making outsourcing practical whether you sell on one marketplace or several.

### Can outsourced fulfilment handle returns as well as outgoing orders?

Yes, EFCL handles returns as well as outgoing orders through its returns and inspection service. This means returned items can be received and checked by the fulfilment team rather than by your own staff, which is one of the tasks brands often find time-consuming when managing pick and pack in-house.

### Is outsourced pick and pack suitable for new start-ups?

Outsourced pick and pack can suit new start-ups, and EFCL offers a dedicated New Startup Business Package for brands just getting going. EFCL also provides a free product sourcing consultation, plus global sourcing, freight and customs clearance support, which can help new sellers get products to the warehouse ready for fulfilment.