Best 3PL Companies for Regulated Material
(2025)

What is 3PL?

A 3PL (Third-Party Logistics) company manages logistics for businesses, including transportation, warehousing, and distribution of products. For companies that handle regulated materials, working with a 3PL is critical to comply with the strict regulations for handling, storage, and shipping of sensitive items like hazardous materials, raw materials, and other controlled substances. By outsourcing logistics to a 3PL, businesses, especially in industries like pharma, chemicals, and medical devices, can focus on their core business while the companies listed on Partner3PL manage the supply chain. Companies listed on Partner3PL offer customized fulfillment services, advanced inventory management, and specialized solutions to meet regulatory requirements and customer satisfaction.

Benefits of Finding a 3PL That Specializes in Regulated Material

Working with a 3PL gives businesses several advantages when handling controlled or sensitive products. Here are the benefits:

1. Regulatory Compliance Expertise

Handling regulated material requires strict adherence to industry regulations, and compliance is critical to avoid fines. Partner3PL matches companies to 3PL service providers specializing in regulatory compliance, ensuring products meet all requirements. They also provide security to protect sensitive goods, reduce the risk of non-compliance, and increase overall operational efficiency.

2. Inventory Management

Inventory management is critical for businesses that handle regulated goods. Partner3PL matches businesses to 3PL channels that use advanced inventory management systems to track stock levels in real-time, helping maintain inventory accuracy and comply with legal regulations. This also helps with traceability and optimizes the logistics by reducing excess inventory and ensuring product availability.

3. Specialized Handling and Equipment

Regulated material often requires specialized handling and equipment to ensure it is transported and stored safely. Partner3PL matches companies with 3PL fulfilment centers with specialized equipment to handle sensitive goods, including hazardous materials and other controlled substances, reducing the risk of damage or contamination during shipping.

4. Custom Packaging

Custom packaging is critical to ensure the safe transportation of regulated material. Partner3PL matches businesses to 3PL operators offering customized packaging solutions that protect goods during transit while meeting regulatory requirements to avoid penalties.

5. Cost Savings through Fulfillment Optimization

Shipping regulated goods comes with higher costs due to special handling requirements. However, Partner3PL gets companies aligned with 3PL companies that help control costs by optimizing order fulfillment, reducing packaging expenses, and negotiating shipping rates with carriers. By streamlining the logistics services, 3PL providers help businesses reduce supply chain costs while maintaining high compliance standards.

6. Customer Satisfaction

For businesses that handle sensitive material, timely and accurate delivery is key to higher customer satisfaction. Partner3PL aligns businesses with 3PL partners experienced in regulated goods fulfillment, offering seamless e-commerce shipping that is fast, secure, and compliant with all regulations.

7. Hazardous Materials Compliance

If your business handles hazardous materials, safety is top priority. Partner3PL gets companies linked with 3PL companies specializing in hazardous materials, ensuring full compliance with safety regulations, including labeling, storage, and transportation management. This reduces risk and ensures hazardous goods are handled safely from start to finish.

8. Additional Security

Regulated material often requires additional security throughout the entire supply chain. Partner3PL links businesses to 3PL services with robust security measures, ensuring sensitive products are handled safely in warehouses and during shipping across borders. This prevents theft or tampering and keeps your goods intact.

9. Reverse Logistics for Regulated Material

Returns for regulated goods can be tricky. Partner3PL aligns companies with 3PL partners offering reverse logistics solutions to manage returns efficiently while complying with disposal or return regulations for controlled substances or tightly regulated products. This is especially important for controlled substances or products with strict return and disposal requirements.

10. Full Supply Chain Management

Partner3PL connects businesses with 3PL fulfillment channels capable of managing the entire supply chain for regulated materials, from raw material to final delivery. By offering full supply chain management, 3PLs help businesses comply at every step of the process and reduce the risk of delays or disruptions.

Things to Consider When Shipping Regulated Material

Shipping regulated material requires careful consideration to ensure compliance with strict regulatory requirements. Here are the key factors to keep in mind:

1. Compliance

Compliance with industry regulations is critical when shipping regulated material. Partner3PL matches companies to providers that ensure all necessary documentation, permits, and certifications are in place to meet regulatory requirements, avoiding delays, penalties, or legal issues.

2. Custom Packaging and Handling

Regulated material requires custom packaging to protect the goods and meet legal standards. Partner3PL gets businesses matched with 3PL service providers offering custom solutions tailored to specific product needs and applicable regulations.

3. Inventory Management and Traceability

Tracking regulated material throughout the supply chain is critical for compliance and transparency. Partner3PL connects companies with 3PL partners having advanced inventory management systems that provide real-time tracking and traceability for accurate product movement and inventory control.

4. International Regulations

Shipping regulated material across borders requires compliance with international laws and customs regulations. Partner3PL gets businesses aligned with companies with international shipping expertise, ensuring all documentation is managed correctly, products comply with shipping regulations, and goods are delivered on time.

5. Insurance and Risk Management

Since regulated material is sensitive, shipping insurance is critical to protect against loss, damage, or theft in transit. Partner3PL connects companies to companies that recommend appropriate insurance coverage and implement risk reduction strategies throughout the shipping process.

Regulated Material that 3PL Can Fulfill

A 3PL service provider can fulfill controlled and sensitive products. Here are some examples of regulated materials 3PL can fulfill:

1. Pharmaceuticals

Pharmaceuticals are subject to strict regulations for the storage, handling, and shipping of drugs. A 3PL company that specializes in pharmaceuticals will comply with regulations such as the Drug Supply Chain Security Act and provide temperature-controlled storage and shipping solutions to keep the product safe.

2. Hazardous Materials

Shipping hazardous materials requires specialized knowledge, equipment, and documentation to ensure safety and compliance with regulations. A 3PL that handles hazardous goods will label properly, package securely, and transport safely to protect people and the environment.

3. Medical Devices

Medical devices are subject to strict regulations. A 3PL provider will store, package, and distribute devices in compliance with regulatory standards throughout the shipping process.

How to Choose The Right 3PL Provider

Choosing the right 3PL for regulated material is critical for compliance and smooth logistics. Here are some tips to help you choose the best logistics partner:

1. Regulatory Compliance Expertise

Choose a 3PL company with experience in handling regulated material and industry compliance. This will reduce risk and ensure your products are handled properly.

2. Advanced Inventory Management System

Choose a 3PL business that has an advanced inventory management system to provide real-time tracking and traceability. This will give you visibility into your supply chain and help with recalls or audits when needed.

3. Custom Packaging Solutions

Select a third-party logistics provider that offers custom packaging solutions for your regulated material. Proper packaging is critical for compliance and product safety in transit.

4. Experience with Hazardous Materials and Pharmaceuticals

When shipping hazardous materials or pharmaceuticals, choose a 3PL business with experience in handling these sensitive goods. Check for certifications and case studies to make sure the service provider meets your needs.

5. End-to-End Supply Chain Solutions

Choose a third-party logistics service provider that provides end-to-end supply chain management services from sourcing to delivery.