Optimize Sample Fulfillment with the 3PL Technology and Expertise Your Brand Needs
Protect margins and scale every sample launch with real-time inventory visibility and cost-effective shipping.
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What brands with sample products need from a fulfillment partner
From beauty trial kits to consumable test samples, brands that offer sample products face fulfillment challenges that standard 3PLs often overlook. Here’s what to look for in a fulfillment partner to find one that protects margins on low-value SKUs, scales promotional campaigns efficiently, and delivers samples quickly across every channel.
Protecting margins on low-value samples
Postage costs can outweigh the benefits of trial-size orders, so choose a partner that distributes inventory across different countries and regions of the U.S., and uses a box selection algorithm and negotiated carrier rates to keep shipping costs in check.
Tracking multiple SKUs and sample variants in real time
Juggling full-size products alongside several sample-size variants can lead to tying up capital in inventory that won’t sell. Choose a tech-forward 3PL that integrates with your ecommerce stack and shows real-time inventory counts for every SKU across channels, so you can run sample promos efficiently without deadstock taking up space on shelves and without missing sales opportunities.
Scaling influencer and promotional campaigns without extra headcount
Sudden spikes from influencer campaigns can overwhelm small teams. Partner with a fulfillment provider that processes orders quickly and stores branded inserts as SKUs for seamless execution, enabling brands to ship thousands of sample units during peak moments and seasons without operational bottlenecks.
Speed to market for changing sample SKUs
Seasonal scents and limited-edition flavors lose impact if inbound stock sits idle for too long. Look for a fulfillment partner that can receive and store new SKUs quickly and surface real-time inventory counts the moment inventory is received, so you can rest easy knowing you’re ready to launch trial-size products ahead of big promotional pushes.
Selling build-your-own sample bundles easily
Personalized discovery bundles can create inventory management challenges, so choose a fulfillment solution that supports virtual bundling rules which automatically deduct each component SKU in real time. This enables brands to offer mix-and-match sampler packs without manual effort or spreadsheet tracking.
Expanding sampling initiatives across borders cost-effectively
International shoppers expect to try before buying, so work with a logistics partner that offers DDP shipping and in-country fulfillment in key markets (such as the U.S., UK, Europe, Australia, and Canada) to avoid surprise duties and delays. This approach can help brands turn global browsers into repeat local orders.
ShipBob’s fulfillment solutions that sample brands care about
ShipBob helps sample-focused brands scale efficiently without sacrificing margins or speed. With real-time inventory visibility across all SKUs and variants and a distributed fulfillment network that reduces shipping costs, ShipBob ensures every order of samples is fulfilled accurately and cost-effectively.
Transparent, predictable pricing
ShipBob provides transparent, line-item billing and customized quotes, so you can see what you’re paying for and forecast costs with confidence. Our core pricing includes receiving, storage, and all-in fulfillment cost, which helps eliminate surprise surcharges during peak seasons.
With transparent billing and the ability to scale as demand grows, you can confidently expand sample or trial-size programs while keeping costs in check.
Real-time inventory visibility
ShipBob’s advanced platform provides real-time inventory counts for every SKU, including both full-size products and sample variants, across all your sales channels. Effortlessly track stock levels in real time, so you can confidently run sample promotions and manage multiple product lines without risking stockouts or tying up capital in excess inventory.
Effortless campaign scaling
ShipBob’s nationwide fulfillment network and advanced technology make it easy to handle sudden surges in order volume, whether from influencer campaigns, giveaways, or viral promotions.
Orders are processed quickly and accurately, and you can use the Customization Suite to include your branded packaging and marketing inserts stored as SKUs for a seamless and curated experience in every shipment. With real-time inventory visibility and proactive support, you can scale your marketing initiatives without adding extra headcount or slowing down operations.
Real-time inventory insights
Stay ahead of every product launch with ShipBob’s advanced inventory replenishment and analytics tools. Instantly access SKU-level inventory forecasts (updated weekly), on-hand counts, and incoming inventory data, all visible in the platform to help you make fast, informed decisions.
Our platform recommends replenishment dates and quantities, so you can activate new SKUs and seasonal products with confidence and ensure your latest releases are ready to ship the moment they arrive.
Effortless virtual bundling
ShipBob’s platform empowers brands to create and manage bundle products directly in the Product Catalog, making it easy to offer mix-and-match sample packs or discovery kits.
When a customer orders a bundle, each individual component SKU is automatically picked, packed, and inventory levels are updated in real time. This seamless digital bundling ensures accurate stock counts and a smooth fulfillment process, so you can focus on delivering a personalized shopping experience that delights your customers.
Global sampling fulfillment
ShipBob empowers brands to launch and scale sampling initiatives internationally with a robust network of fulfillment centers in the U.S., UK, Europe, Australia, and Canada.
By leveraging in-country fulfillment, brands can deliver samples to shoppers quickly and cost-effectively, eliminating surprise duties and customs delays.
Our platform streamlines inventory distribution and provides real-time visibility, making it easy to manage cross-border campaigns and turn global interest into loyal local business.
Types of sample products that companies fulfill with ShipBob
- Beauty and personal care
- Skincare sachets and tubes (face wash, moisturizer, eye cream, sunscreen)
- Haircare packets (shampoo, conditioner, serum)
- Cosmetics (lipstick, foundation, nail polish)
- Fragrance vials and cards
- Men’s grooming (beard oil, aftershave)
- Health and wellness
- Vitamin and supplement packs
- Protein powder single-serve packets
- Health drink shot bottles
- Food and beverage
- Snack-sized samples (granola bars, nut butter packs)
- Beverage samples (tea bags, coffee pods, energy drink powder)
- Condiments and seasonings (hot sauce, spice sachets)
- Household and pet care
- Cleaning products (detergent pods, wipes, hand sanitizer)
- Pet food and treat samples
- Oral and personal hygiene
- Toothpaste tubes and mouthwash bottles
- Deodorant mini sticks
- Feminine hygiene product samples
Success story: Taste Salud scaled from $0 to $20M+ in 3 years with a lean 2-person ops team
Taste Salud, an on-the-go drink mix brand, soldits first 500 units within hours – but when they quickly realized self-fulfillment wasn’t sustainable, the founders outsourced to ShipBob.
With streamlined onboarding and real-time visibility, they centralized DTC and B2B operations while using ShipBob as a “mini-ERP.” In their first years, revenue moved from $350K in six months to $4M in 2022, then more than tripled in 2023 to surpass $20M – all with just a 2-person operations team.
Through ShipBob’s Inventory Placement Program, they distributed inventory across 3 fulfillment centers to cut shipping distance and customer wait times. This let them achieve delivery in a couple of days, and offer a delivery experience comparable to what shoppers expect from Amazon. Now, with plans to add more regional sites, Taste Salud plans to continue reducing costs and to keep delivery timelines tight as they scale new products and channels.
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 carriers 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 fulfillment 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 fulfillment partner you’ll need. Whether you’re shipping 1,000 orders per month or 200,000, we have you covered. With a large fulfillment network to scale into, new channels to expand into, and additional capabilities to tap into, you won’t outgrow ShipBob.
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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 fulfillment centers.
3. Ship
As soon as a customer places an order, we ship it from the nearest fulfillment center.
FAQs about product samples fulfillment
How can ShipBob help me distribute product samples efficiently for market testing or pilot launches?
ShipBob’s distributed fulfillment network and automated order processing enable you to quickly ship samples to customers, influencers, or test groups across the globe. Our technology streamlines order management and provides real-time tracking, making it easy to launch and monitor sample campaigns.
Is ShipBob cost-effective for low-value or sample-only orders?
ShipBob offers transparent, line-item billing and customized quotes, ideal for controlling costs on low-value or high-volume sample shipments. Our negotiated carrier rates and distributed inventory also help reduce shipping costs and protect brands’ margins.
Can ShipBob handle small or variable order quantities for sample initiatives?
Absolutely. ShipBob is built to support brands with flexible order volumes, whether you’re shipping some samples or scaling up for a major campaign or viral product drop.
Does ShipBob support custom packaging or branded inserts for sample shipments?
Yes. ShipBob’s Customization Suite supports the use of client-provided custom branded boxes, mailers, or inserts/marketing materials with your sample orders. You manage these client-provided customizations as individual SKUs in our platform, and can arrange for seamless inclusion in shipments.
How does ShipBob help me track multiple SKUs and sample variants in real time?
Our advanced platform provides real-time inventory counts for every SKU, including both full-size products and sample variants, across all your sales channels. This ensures you always know your stock levels and can avoid stockouts during promotions.
Can ShipBob help me manage influencer or brand ambassador sample campaigns?
Yes, ShipBob makes it easy to bulk-send samples to influencers or ambassadors, track shipments, and scale campaigns without adding extra headcount. Our technology and support help you keep your marketing initiatives on schedule.
What are ShipBob’s best practices for fulfilling sample or promotional orders?
We recommend leveraging our virtual bundling, real-time inventory tracking, and distributed fulfillment centers to optimize sample fulfillment speed and cost. Our team can help you set up efficient workflows for personalized sample kits and campaign-specific shipments.
How quickly can ShipBob activate new sample SKUs or seasonal products?
ShipBob can receive and activate new SKUs quickly, with real-time inventory updates reflected in the dashboard as stock is received. This agility helps you launch new samples or limited editions without delay.
Does ShipBob offer international sample fulfillment and DDP shipping?
Yes, ShipBob provides in-country fulfillment in the U.S., UK, Europe, Canada, and Australia, with DDP shipping options to avoid surprise duties and ensure a smooth experience for international recipients.
How does ShipBob ensure reliable and high-quality service for sample fulfillment?
ShipBob is committed to meeting strict SLAs, providing proactive support, and maintaining high packaging standards. Our technology, global network, and dedicated support teams ensure your sample orders are fulfilled accurately and on time, every time.
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 fulfillment centers to help you strategically split and manage your inventory to reduce shipping costs and transit times.
FEATURED REPORT
What are product sample brands’ top priorities for shipping and fulfillment 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.
