7 Nov

How to Prepare to Outsource Your Order Fulfilment to MSL COPACK + ECOMM

Handing your orders to a partner is a big step. Instead of picking, packing, and shipping from your own space, you trust a team like MSL COPACK + ECOMM to store your products, process each order, and ship it to your customers on time, every time. For many growing brands, this move frees up space, cuts stress, and lets the team focus on product, marketing, and sales.

MSL works as more than a simple warehouse. Their team handles contract packaging for retail and e‑commerce, builds custom packs and promotions, and prepares products so they are ready to ship or go straight to the shelf. On top of that, they manage warehousing and inventory, so you get clean stock counts and fast access to the data you need. Their distribution and fulfillment services also cover e‑commerce order processing, from shopping cart connection to final delivery.

This guide walks you through what to get ready before you outsource your order fulfilment to MSL COPACK + ECOMM. You will see what data to pull, what product details to document, and what questions to answer about your shipping rules and customer promises. With that prep work in place, your onboarding goes faster, costs are easier to predict, and you avoid surprises later.

Think of this as your pre-flight checklist. By the time you finish, you will know what MSL needs from you, what you can expect from them, and how both sides can start on the same page. That way, your first orders ship smoothly, and your team can finally step away from the packing table with confidence.

Start With a Clear Picture of Your Products and Packaging

Before you outsource your order fulfilment, your products and packaging need to be crystal clear on paper. Think of this as giving MSL COPACK + ECOMM a detailed playbook. The better that playbook, the fewer questions, delays, and picking mistakes you will deal with later.

A clean product catalog, clear pack rules, and organized brand assets help MSL set up their systems, plan storage, and train their team so they can hit the ground running from day one.

Create a simple product catalog with SKUs and descriptions

Your product catalog is the foundation of everything MSL will do for you. It tells their team what each item is, how to store it, and how to ship it without damage or confusion.

At a minimum, your catalog should include:

Product name and a short description
Unique SKU for every item and every variant
Variants such as size, color, flavor, or style
Unit dimensions and weight
Materials or ingredients
Any special handling needs (fragile, temperature sensitive, orientation, lot control)

This detail lets MSL set up accurate inventory, assign bin locations, and build rules around how each item gets picked and packed. If your team also shares planned bundles or future kits, that makes it easier to design efficient pick paths and packing stations from the start. For more ideas on how SKUs and kits work together, their article on kitting vs traditional inventory management can be a useful reference.

You do not need fancy software to start. A simple spreadsheet works well, as long as it is clean and consistent. Many brands also export product data from their e‑commerce platform and use that file as the base. When you outsource your order fulfilment, this upfront work saves time, prevents rework, and gives MSL a strong base to build from.

Document current packaging and kitting requirements

Next, you want to capture how each product leaves your building today. MSL will rely on this as a starting point for both storage and contract packaging work.

Outline how every SKU should be packed, including:

Inner packs or small cartons
Master cartons and case packs
Pallet patterns, if you use them
Bundles or multi-packs
Kits and subscription boxes
Display units and promotional packs

For bundles and kits, list every component and the quantity of each. Then outline the assembly steps in the order you want them done. Simple numbered steps work well, for example: add product A, add product B, place insert, seal, apply label.

This level of detail helps MSL copy your current process or improve it. Their team specializes in contract packaging services, so once they see your requirements, they can often recommend smarter pack sizes or more efficient kitting flows that reduce labor and damages.

The payoff is real. When your packaging rules are clear, MSL can staff correctly, build quality checks, and keep your customer experience consistent, even during peak season.

Gather artwork, branding, and labeling guidelines

The last piece of the picture is your branding and labels. If product data tells MSL what to ship, your brand assets tell them how it should look when it arrives.

Before onboarding, pull together:

Logo files and brand colors
Artwork for cartons, bags, and sleeves
Label templates and carton markings
Standard inserts, stickers, and thank you cards
Brand guidelines for tone, layout, and placement

Store these in one shared folder and label them clearly by SKU or kit name. Clear instructions for where to place labels, which inserts go with which product, and how to use branded packaging help MSL pack orders the same way your in‑house team would.

Do not forget compliance details. If you have required regulatory content, batch codes, lot or date labels, or warnings that must always appear on the packaging, flag that early. When you outsource your order fulfilment, this prep work reduces relabeling, keeps you compliant, and protects your brand at the same time.

Get Your Inventory Data and Storage Plan Ready

Once your product details are locked in, the next step is getting your inventory data and storage rules in shape. This is what lets MSL COPACK + ECOMM receive, store, and ship with confidence from day one.

When you outsource your order fulfilment, clean counts, clear rules, and simple stocking decisions help MSL design the right storage layout, staff correctly, and keep your customers away from out of stocks. Think of this as setting the stage so their warehouse and systems can do their best work.

Clean up your current inventory counts and reconcile stock

Before you ship a single pallet to MSL, take time to clean up your current inventory. You want a solid “starting snapshot” that both your team and MSL can trust.

Start with a basic inventory check:

Count on‑hand units for every active SKU.
Remove or flag discontinued SKUs that you no longer plan to sell.
Mark damaged, expired, or unsellable stock as separate from good units.

If your stock sits in more than one place, capture counts by SKU and by location. For example, you might have units in your office, a small warehouse, and a retail backroom. Listing each site separately helps MSL understand what is moving to their building and what will stay with you.

Accurate starting numbers help MSL:

Avoid overselling when systems sync with your store.
Plan bin locations, pallet spots, and pick faces.
Keep service levels high even when order volume jumps.

You can keep this simple. A spreadsheet with SKU, description, on‑hand units, and current location is enough to start. Once your inventory transfers to a fulfillment center, clean data supports fast receiving and tight real-time inventory tracking, as outlined in their ecommerce fulfillment centers guide.

Decide what inventory to send to MSL and what to phase out

Outsourcing is a smart moment to decide what deserves space in MSL’s warehouse and what should quietly exit your catalog. Not every SKU needs to make the trip.

A practical approach is to focus on:

Best sellers that drive most of your revenue.
Core SKUs that define your brand or anchor bundles.
Seasonal or promo items that are active right now or in the next 3 to 6 months.

At the same time, look for products that create noise:

Slow movers that tie up cash and shelf space.
Old packaging versions that confuse pickers and customers.
Products with high return or damage rates that you plan to replace.

You might decide to:

Send only current packaging and active SKUs to MSL.
Sell through or liquidate old versions from your existing space.
Mark end‑of‑life SKUs so they do not appear in new orders.

This kind of cleanup reduces storage costs and keeps the warehouse layout simple. MSL can slot fast movers in prime locations and keep your pick paths short, which means faster processing and fewer mistakes once you outsource your order fulfilment.

Set basic inventory rules: safety stock, reorder points, and lot control

Clean counts and clear SKU choices set the base. Inventory rules tell MSL how to keep product flowing without painful stockouts or piles of dead stock.

Start with a few simple concepts:

Safety stock is a small buffer of extra units you keep on hand. It protects you when sales spike or a supplier runs late.
A reorder point is the level where you want to order more. When on‑hand units drop to that number, it is time to place a new PO.

For each key SKU, decide:

What is the minimum “safe” number you want in MSL’s warehouse.
How long it usually takes from PO to product arrival.
Which items are most important to keep in stock at all times.

Share these rules with your MSL team so they can flag risks early. Their systems can help you track trends and dial in these thresholds over time, especially when you use inventory forecasting with 3PL support like the approach outlined here: Inventory Forecasting And Demand Planning With 3PL Support.

If you sell food, beverages, cosmetics, supplements, or other regulated items, add lot control rules:

How to track lot numbers or batch IDs.
How to record expiration or best‑by dates.
Which lots can ship to which channels, if there are rules.

Tell MSL how to rotate stock, for example “first expire, first out” or “first in, first out.” With clear lot and date rules, they can pick the right units, support recalls if needed, and keep your customers from receiving short‑dated items.

Simple, well‑shared rules turn your inventory into a stable system instead of a guessing game, which is exactly what you want when you outsource your order fulfilment to a partner you trust.

Prepare Your Order, Shipping, and Returns Settings

Once your products and inventory are in good shape, the next step is to get clear on how orders move, ship, and come back. When you set these rules before you outsource your order fulfilment, MSL COPACK + ECOMM can plug into your business faster, reduce errors, and keep your customers happy from the first week.

Think of this section as the “traffic plan” for your orders. You are deciding which roads they take in, how they leave, and what happens if they need to turn around.

Map how orders come in from your sales channels

Start by listing every single way an order reaches you today. This list is the road map MSL will use to connect their systems to yours and keep orders flowing without gaps.

Common order sources include:

Shopify, WooCommerce, BigCommerce, or other web stores
Marketplaces such as Amazon, Walmart, or eBay
Wholesale platforms or B2B portals
EDI orders from large retailers
Manual orders, like email, phone, or internal bulk orders

For each channel, note:

How the order looks when it comes in
What fields you use, like customer name, shipping address, phone, email, shipping option, and gift notes
Any custom fields you rely on, such as PO number, delivery notes, or internal tags
How often you want orders to sync, like real time, every 15 minutes, or in daily batches

You do not need to write a technical manual. A simple one-page summary per channel is enough, as long as it is clear and complete. The goal is that MSL can see where orders start and how they should appear in their system.

When this order flow is clear, MSL can set up clean connections, support multi-channel sales, and reduce missed or delayed orders. For a deeper look at how their team handles online orders across different channels, you can review their ecommerce fulfillment services by MSL.

Choose shipping methods, service levels, and packaging options

Next, decide how you want customers’ orders to ship. This is where you balance speed, cost, and brand experience, then hand that playbook to MSL.

Start with your shipping menu:

Economy for the lowest cost option
Standard ground for most orders
2‑day for faster service
Overnight for urgent or VIP orders

Then add your rules, such as:

Free shipping over a certain order value
Different methods for certain regions, like ground only for Alaska and Hawaii
No shipping to specific countries or states
Signature required for high value orders

You also want to explain your packaging preferences:

Branded boxes versus plain cartons
Eco-friendly options like recycled mailers or paper void fill
Use of gift wrap, tissue, or branded tape
Any items that need extra padding or double boxing

Share real examples. For instance, “All glass items must ship in a snug inner box with paper wrap, inside an outer carton.” The more concrete your rules, the easier it is for MSL to choose the right carton size, packing material, and carrier service every time.

When these settings are decided before you outsource your order fulfilment, MSL can build shipping profiles that match your promises and your margins. Their MSL packaging and fulfillment process shows how each step, from picking to label creation, follows the rules you set at the start.

Define your returns and replacements process

Even with great packing and fast shipping, some orders will come back. A clear returns and replacements plan keeps those moments from turning into chaos.

Write a simple returns policy that covers:

When you accept returns, such as within 30 or 60 days
What condition items must be in, like unused, sealed, or with tags
Who pays for return shipping, you or the customer
Whether you offer refunds, store credit, or exchanges

Then define what happens after an item returns to MSL:

Can it be restocked and sold again if it is in perfect shape?
Should it be reworked, like repacked, relabeled, or combined into new kits?
Does it need to be discarded or donated if opened or damaged?

Write these rules in plain language and share them with the MSL team. They will follow your instructions so your customer experience feels the same, even though a partner is handling the back end.

If you want to sharpen your process even more, you can look at their guide on managing returns and reverse logistics. When your return rules are clear from day one, onboarding moves faster, support tickets drop, and customers feel taken care of at every step.

Align Your Team, Systems, and Communication With MSL COPACK + ECOMM

People, processes, and tools need to work together before you outsource your order fulfilment. If your internal team knows who owns what, how data moves, and how you will track success, MSL COPACK + ECOMM can act like an extension of your business instead of a distant vendor.

This is where you move from “we hope this works” to “we know who does what and how.”

Assign clear owners for operations, customer service, and finance

Start by choosing named owners for the key parts of the relationship. Titles matter less than clarity. You want everyone to know who speaks for your brand on the most important topics.

At a minimum, assign:

Operations owner: This person is your main contact for day to day work with MSL. They handle inventory questions, inbound shipments, kitting changes, and new product launches.
Customer service owner: This person manages how your team answers “where is my order” questions, damaged shipment claims, and tracking issues.
Finance owner: This person reviews invoices, storage and pick fees, and monthly reports, and flags anything that looks off.

Share names, roles, and contact details with MSL before go live. Ask MSL who your main contacts will be on their side as well. When both teams know who to reach out to, small issues stay small.

If you want to go deeper on how service teams support a 3PL relationship, MSL’s article on the value of customer service in 3PL is a useful reference.

Clear owners cut down on finger pointing, speed up problem solving, and make your partnership feel organized instead of chaotic.

Plan basic system connections and data sharing

You do not need to be a tech expert to get your systems ready. You just need a clear list of what you use today and how information should move between your tools and MSL.

Start by writing down the core systems you rely on:

Your e‑commerce platform, such as Shopify or WooCommerce
Any ERP or order management system
Your accounting or billing software
Any separate inventory tools or spreadsheets

Then, for each system, note three things:

What data needs to move
- Orders in
- Inventory levels out
- Tracking numbers and ship dates back to your store and support team
How often it should sync
- Real time, for most web stores
- Every 15 to 60 minutes
- Once a day, for summary reports and finance
Who will monitor it
- Someone on your team should watch key dashboards, at least daily in the early weeks.

You want near real time order and inventory data so you avoid stockouts and angry customers. When systems are connected correctly, customers see up to date stock on your site, receive fast tracking updates, and your team spends less time chasing answers.

MSL already supports a wide range of integrations for carts, ERPs, and EDI. Their dedicated page on eCommerce Fulfillment Services gives a good overview of how their tech stack supports this kind of data sharing.

A simple one page “systems and data” summary makes onboarding smoother and helps both teams troubleshoot issues without guesswork.

Agree on performance metrics and reporting cadence

You cannot manage what you do not measure. Before you outsource your order fulfilment, decide how you and MSL will define “good performance” and how often you will review it together.

Start with a short, focused KPI list:

Order accuracy: Percent of orders shipped without picking or packing errors.
On time shipment rate: Percent of orders that leave within your promised window.
Average fulfillment time: Time from order import to label creation.
Inventory accuracy: How close system counts are to physical counts.
Damage rate: Percent of orders or units reported as damaged in transit.

For each KPI, set a simple initial target, such as:

99.5% order accuracy
98% of orders shipped on time
Less than 1% damage rate

You can adjust these later as volumes grow and patterns become clear.

Then agree on a reporting cadence:

Weekly check ins for the first 4 to 8 weeks, to catch issues early.
Monthly performance reviews once things settle, to track trends and plan improvements.
Quarterly strategy talks to review new products, channels, or peak seasons.

Ask MSL what standard reports they provide and how you can access them. Many brands like a simple dashboard that shows yesterday’s orders, open issues, and any KPIs that slipped below target.

Shared metrics turn your relationship into a true partnership. Both teams see the same numbers, talk about the same facts, and work together to improve results instead of arguing about what actually happened.

Plan Your Timeline, Budget, and Transition to MSL COPACK + ECOMM

Once you decide to outsource your order fulfilment, the way you plan the transition makes a huge difference. A calm, staged rollout gives MSL COPACK + ECOMM time to learn your business, protect your service levels, and keep surprises to a minimum.

Think in three parts: your timeline, your budget, and how you prepare people for the change. When those pieces line up, moving into MSL’s warehousing and fulfillment feels controlled instead of rushed.

Build a realistic onboarding and go‑live timeline

Start by sketching a simple timeline from first call to full go live. Treat it like a project, not a quick switch you flip overnight.

Most brands move through these core stages:

Discovery and quoting Share product data, order volume, and any special work like kitting. This is where MSL turns your information into a clear scope and quote. For more ideas on what to share, their guide on efficient contract packaging onboarding process offers helpful context.
Data and process setup MSL sets up SKUs, locations, and order flows in their systems. Your team connects sales channels, confirms shipping rules, and finalizes packing instructions.
Test orders and system checks Run sample orders through each channel. Check that inventory syncs, addresses flow correctly, and tracking updates reach customers.
First inventory shipment to MSL Send an initial wave of stock, often focused on core SKUs. MSL receives, checks counts, and confirms storage locations.
Soft launch with a small group of orders Route a slice of your daily orders to MSL. Watch metrics like ship times, accuracy, and support tickets. Adjust any rules while volumes are still low.
Full go live Once results look solid, shift all new orders to MSL and retire your old process.

If you can, avoid switching right before big events like Black Friday, a product launch, or a major promotion. Ask MSL for typical onboarding time frames based on your order volume, SKU mix, and channels, then build in buffer time so you are not forced into rushed decisions.

Estimate your fulfillment and storage costs ahead of time

A clear budget removes stress during and after the move. Before you outsource your order fulfilment, break your expected costs into simple buckets so you can compare them to what you spend today.

Key areas to map:

Pick and pack fees for each order and each extra item
Storage charges, often by pallet, bin, or cubic foot
Packaging materials, such as boxes, dunnage, and mailers
Kitting or special projects, like subscription boxes or retail displays
Shipping costs, including surcharges and residential fees

To get a realistic quote, give MSL clean data on:

Average and peak order volume
Total SKU count and how many are active
Typical units per order
Expected storage footprint, such as pallets or bins

The more accurate your inputs, the closer your quote will be to real monthly spend. If you want to go deeper into how providers build pricing, MSL’s breakdown of what affects fulfillment costs is a useful reference.

Once you have MSL’s proposal, compare it side by side with your current in house costs:

Warehouse rent or storage space
Labor for picking, packing, and receiving
Packaging supplies
Software, equipment, and carrier accounts

This comparison shows the real financial impact, not just the line items on a new invoice. It also helps you see where you free up cash and where you may want to reinvest in marketing, product, or customer experience.

Create a simple change management plan for your customers and team

A smooth move is not just about boxes and SKUs. Your team and your customers need a clear view of what will change and when.

For your internal team, plan to:

Explain why you are moving to MSL and what success looks like
Update SOPs for tasks like creating POs, sending inbound shipments, and handling order issues
Decide how to handle any short delays or quirks in the first weeks, such as a daily huddle to review exceptions

For customers, keep the message simple and reassuring. You might:

Update shipping time estimates on your website if they change at all
Add a short note in order confirmation or shipping emails while you transition
Train support to explain that this shift is about faster, more reliable service over time

If you want a deeper playbook for managing a logistics switch, MSL’s step-by-step guide to migrating to a new 3PL walks through common transition stages and how to handle them.

A little planning here goes a long way. When your team knows the plan and your customers know what to expect, the move to MSL COPACK + ECOMM feels steady, not chaotic.

Conclusion

Preparing to outsource your order fulfilment to MSL COPACK + ECOMM is really about getting the basics tight before volume hits. You organize products and packaging into a clean catalog, tidy up inventory counts and rules, lock in order flows and shipping options, then line up systems, owners, and KPIs. Finally, you map a realistic transition so onboarding feels like a planned project, not a scramble.

When you treat this groundwork as an investment, you get a smoother handoff, fewer surprises, and a partner that can support how you really operate. It also makes it easier to tap into the long term benefits of outsourcing order fulfillment, from lower overhead to stronger customer reviews as accuracy and speed improve.

The payoff is simple. The more clarity you bring to products, inventory, and processes before you outsource your order fulfilment, the faster MSL can run with it and help you scale with less stress. Your team spends less time chasing tracking numbers or fixing packing mistakes and more time building product, brand, and demand.

If you are ready, start with the checklists in this guide, pull your data into one place, and share it with the MSL team. Once those pieces are in place, you can hand off the day to day logistics with confidence and focus on the growth you actually want.