Streamline Wearable Tech and Smart Device Fulfilment With ShipBob’s Global 3PL Network and Unified Platform
Navigate battery-related shipping complexities and prevent stockouts while facilitating a fast, cost-effective delivery experience.
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What wearables and smart devices brands need from a fulfilment partner
Shipping battery-powered wearables from one warehouse drives up DG surcharges and delays. Brands need a partner that distributes inventory across regions to lower costs and improve delivery times, while providing real-time visibility to balance stock between core devices and accessories. Managing DTC and retailer orders on separate systems creates inventory drift, so a unified fulfilment platform is essential for accurate counts and smoother operations.
Managing DG/HAZMAT shipping costs
Shipping every order from a single warehouse can increase shipping surcharges on battery-powered wearables and slow delivery times. Brands benefit from a fulfilment partner that can distribute inventory across different countries and regions to reduce average shipping zones and keep margins healthy.
Balancing inventory between core devices and accessories
Running out of flagship products while others collect dust on shelves can stall revenue during launches and peak periods. Brands need a 3PL with real-time multichannel inventory visibility and SKU-level insights to keep every item in stock without tying up capital in inventory that won’t sell.
Streamlining DTC and retailer order workflows
Managing separate warehouses or platforms for DTC and B2B orders can waste time and lead to discrepancies in inventory counts. A unified fulfilment solution that ships both DTC orders and retailer POs from the same inventory pool streamlines operations and reduces overhead.
Simplifying returns management
High-value wearables often come back for sizing adjustments, creating operational headaches. Brands need a fulfilment provider that integrates with returns management tools (such as Loop and AfterShip) to facilitate restocking, quarantining, or disposal of items, and to handle exchanges and returns.
Amazon FBA prep that meets receiving requirements
Strict Amazon labelling and pallet guidelines can add extra steps when sending smart devices to a fulfilment centre. Brands benefit from a 3PL that can manage automated FBA prep orders and keep DTC orders flowing simultaneously to save time.
Cost-effective cross-border fulfilment for global demand
International shoppers expect transparent pricing and quick delivery – but surcharges, duties, and taxes can complicate the process. A provider with DDP shipping options and fulfilment centres in key markets like the U.S., UK, Europe, Australia, and Canada enables local delivery and a seamless checkout experience.
ShipBob’s fulfilment solutions for wearable and smart device brands
ShipBob supports safe, compliant shipping for lithium-ion and DG-labelled products while reducing courier surcharges through regional distribution. Real-time inventory insights keep both core devices and variants in stock, and unified DTC and B2B fulfilment simplifies retailer POs, bulk EDI orders, and ecommerce shipments from one shared inventory pool.
Battery-powered device shipping
ShipBob is equipped to store and ship products containing lithium-ion and other battery types. Our team reviews and approves all products categorized as dangerous goods (DG) or hazardous materials (HAZMAT) – including those containing lithium-ion batteries – before they enter our network.
With clear operational procedures and dashboard visibility, ShipBob helps brands confidently fulfil orders containing battery-powered wearables across the U.S. while minimising courier surcharges and achieving cost-effective shipping.
Real-time inventory insights
Gain complete visibility into your inventory across all SKUs and sales channels with ShipBob’s advanced dashboard. Monitor stock levels for both core products and variants in real time, helping you avoid stockouts or overstocking.
With actionable reorder notifications and detailed analytics, you can keep every item balanced and ready for peak demand.
Unified B2B and DTC fulfilment
ShipBob empowers brands to manage both direct-to-consumer and wholesale B2B orders from a single, integrated platform. With ShipBob, you can fulfil retailer purchase orders, bulk EDI orders, and DTC ecommerce shipments from the same inventory pool, eliminating the need for separate workflows or multiple systems.
Our tech-enabled network, automated EDI integrations (in the U.S.), and order management capabilities make it easy to scale across channels while maintaining real-time visibility and control.
Automated returns management
ShipBob facilitates a seamless returns experience, and even offers integrations that make initiating returns and exchanges easier by allowing you to automate the creation and handling of return orders.
With configurable SKU-level options for restocking, quarantining, or disposing of returned items, you can ensure each product is processed according to your preferences. You can also arrange to have returns sent to another (non-ShipBob) facility of your choosing.
Omnichannel fulfilment
ShipBob enables brands to manage all their sales channels from a single, unified platform. With a shared pool of inventory, you can seamlessly fulfil DTC, B2B, and marketplace orders without juggling multiple partners or risking overstock and stockouts. Our fulfilment experts follow strict processes and adhere to each retailer’s unique guidelines, ensuring every order meets the highest standards for accuracy.
This integrated approach streamlines your operations, preserves valuable retail relationships, and gives you real-time visibility and control across every channel.
Global DDP shipping and fulfilment
ShipBob empowers brands to reach customers worldwide with a robust network of fulfilment centres in the U.S., UK, Europe, Australia, and Canada. By offering Delivered Duty Paid (DDP) shipping options to over 250 destinations, ShipBob enables transparent landed costs and faster, more reliable local delivery.
Our platform streamlines cross-border logistics and provides real-time visibility, so your customers enjoy a seamless checkout and delivery experience.
Types of wearables and smart devices products that companies fulfil with ShipBob
- Fitness and activity trackers
- Fitness trackers
- Smartwatches
- Activity bands
- GPS tracking devices
- Audio devices
- Bluetooth earbuds
- Wireless headphones
- Health monitoring devices (Class I or II only)
- Heart rate monitors
- Sleep trackers
- Smart rings
- Smart patches
- Wearable temperature monitors
- Smart glucose monitors
Success story: How Sharkbanz scaled their global fulfilment and nailed BFCM with ShipBob
Ocean safety equipment brand Sharkbanz turned to ShipBob after testing three other providers. Leveraging ShipBob’s extensive fulfilment centre footprint across the U.S., UK, and Australia, they were able to place inventory closer to customers and support omnichannel growth.
Ahead of BFCM, Sharkbanz leveraged FreightBob (ShipBob’s managed freight service)to expedite ocean freight, allowing inventory to be quickly distributed to the necessary fulfilment centres in time for their biggest sales of the year. With ShipBob in place, the brand sustained 50% year-over-year growth while running fulfilment through a single platform and global fulfilment network.
ShipBob services all customers benefit from
- Connectivity & integrations: ShipBob’s 50+ turnkey integrations with all major ecommerce channels and tools – including Shopify, Gorgias, Klaviyo, NetSuite, Loop, AfterShip, and more – enable you to grow your business smarter, faster, and stronger than ever before. In addition to the ShipBob App Store that lets you instantly connect your tech stack, you can also leverage ShipBob’s Develop API for custom builds.
- Transparent, cost-effective pricing: Unlike many 3PLs, ShipBob has easy-to-predict billing that makes it easy to plan for spend, without too many line items. ShipBob also negotiates rates with couriers and passes those savings on to you.
- Real-time visibility: Track shipments, orders, and inventory across locations from one dashboard. Manage one pool of inventory across sales channels and push stock levels back to your store so you don’t oversell.
- Full-stack fulfilment platform: With ShipBob, you get an all-in-one OMS, IMS, WMS, RMS, TMS, and analytics for a consolidated tech stack. ShipBob’s platform acts as a mini-ERP, being a single source of truth for your orders and inventory.
- Easy, comprehensive onboarding: We’ve onboarded thousands of ecommerce merchants and helped some of the fastest-growing brands scale effortlessly. Our implementation team sets you up for success with everything from configuring your ship options, to syncing your online store.
- Support for growth: ShipBob aims to be the last fulfilment partner you’ll need. Whether you’re shipping 1,000 orders per month or 200,000, we have you covered. With a large fulfilment network to scale into, new channels to expand into, and additional capabilities to tap into, you won’t outgrow ShipBob.
Request a quote for smart devices and wearables fulfilment
How it works
How ShipBob goes from your online store to your customer’s door
1. Connect
Connect your store, import your products, then send us your inventory.
2. Store
We store your inventory in any combination of our fulfilment centers.
3. Ship
As soon as a customer places an order, we ship it from the nearest fulfilment centre.
FAQs about smart devices and wearables fulfilment
How does ShipBob handle the storage and shipping of wearables and smart devices with batteries?
ShipBob reviews and approves all products containing batteries before they enter our network. We require a Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) and a UN test for compliance, and we ensure that all shipments adhere to DG/HAZMAT packaging standards to prevent movement and accidental activation.
Can ShipBob help manage inventory for both core devices and accessories?
Yes. ShipBob’s platform provides real-time inventory visibility across all your SKUs and sales channels, helping you balance stock levels for both core products and accessories. Automated reorder notifications and detailed analytics help prevent stockouts and overstocking.
Does ShipBob support both DTC and B2B (retail) fulfilment for wearables?
Absolutely. ShipBob provides omnichannel fulfilment, enabling you to fulfil DTC and wholesale B2B orders from the same inventory pool, with support for automated EDI integrations and adherence to strict U.S. retailer requirements.
How does ShipBob handle returns for smart devices?
ShipBob facilitates a seamless returns experience, including integrations with platforms like Loop and AfterShip. For returned items, you can set your configurable preferences to automatically restock, quarantine, or dispose of products. You may also choose to have returns sent to another (non-ShipBob) facility of your choosing.
Can ShipBob fulfil bundles and personalised notes?
Yes – ShipBob offers both product bundling capabilities and can include personalised marketing inserts in orders of your choice. Bundling allows you to sell multiple products together as a single SKU, while the Customisation Suite lets you add personalised gift notes and inserts for a unique unboxing experience.
What ecommerce platforms and tools does ShipBob integrate with?
ShipBob offers turnkey integrations with major ecommerce channels and tools, including platforms like Shopify, BigCommerce, WooCommerce, Amazon, and Walmart, as well as technology partners for returns, analytics, and marketing.
How does ShipBob help with international shipping and customs for wearables?
ShipBob operates a global network of fulfilment centres in the U.S., UK, Europe, Canada, and Australia, enabling local delivery as well as offering DDP shipping options to over 250 destinations to improve cross-border transparency and delivery experience.
Can ShipBob handle high-volume product launches or seasonal spikes?
Yes. ShipBob’s scalable fulfilment network and real-time inventory management help you prepare for and manage large order volumes, product drops, and seasonal demand fluctuations, ensuring orders are fulfilled quickly and accurately.
What packaging solutions does ShipBob offer for fragile or high-value electronics?
ShipBob uses optimally-sized boxes and standard protective dunnage for all orders (such as Geami paper or kraft paper) for all orders, ensuring your wearables and smart devices are secure during storage and transit.
How does ShipBob provide visibility and control over my fulfilment operations?
ShipBob’s proprietary software platform provides a single view of inventory, orders, and shipments across all channels, leveraging real-time analytics and reporting to help you make informed decisions and maintain control over fulfilment operations.
Shipping costs are variable in nature, based on weight, dimensions, destination, service, and more. Request your custom quote here: https://www.shipbob.com/quote/
INTEGRATE ALL OF YOUR TOOLS
Connect to 50+ few-click integrations from our App Store, or build directly with our developer-friendly API
Ship from 60+ global locations
We use our network of fulfilment centres to help you strategically split and manage your inventory to reduce shipping costs and transit times.
FEATURED REPORT
What are smart devices and wearables brands’ top priorities for shipping and fulfilment this year? Find out
There’s no question that the last several years have thrown a multitude of challenges at ecommerce brands. Despite this, brands are navigating the ever-changing landscape with plans to expand this year.
