Third-party logistics (3PL) providers play an important role in supply chain management. These providers offer a wide range of services, including transportation, warehousing, distribution, and fulfillment.

One important aspect of 3PL providers is their certification process. Certification is a way to ensure that a 3PL provider has met certain standards and can deliver quality services.

In this blog post, we will explore 3PL certificates statistics to give you a better understanding of the importance of certification in the 3PL industry.

Key 3PL Statistics 2023 – MY Choice


  • The global 3PL market is expected to be worth $935.31B by 2020 because it is driven by the outsourcing of secondary business activities.
  • 97% of shippers feel alignment is important to drive the effectiveness of big data initiatives. Also, 93% agree that data-driven decision-making is essential to the success of supply chain activities and processes.
  • 75% of shippers said the use of 3PL services has contributed to overall logistics cost reductions.
  • 86% of shippers said the use of 3PLs has contributed to improved customer service.
  • 58% of shippers indicate they are increasing their use of outsourced logistics services this year.
  • The most frequently outsourced activities are domestic transportation (86%), warehousing (66%) and freight forwarding (44%).
  • 73% of shippers interact with their 3PL on a daily or hourly basis.
  • Cloud technology used by 3PLs is helping shippers reduce transportation costs, improve visibility, manage inventory and achieve regulatory compliance – addressing the top challenges shippers face.

3PL Stats

Table 1: 3PL Market Statistics

StatisticsValues
Market expansion rate (Statista)29%
CAGR by 2030 (Globe News Wire)8.58%
Projected market value by 2027 (Allied Market Research)$1,789.74 billion
Most lucrative segment of 3PL market (Allied Market Research)Roadways
Biggest 3PL market revenue (Globe News Wire)USD 483.6 billion
  • The 3PL market is projected to reach $1,789.74 billion by 2027 (Allied Market Research)

Table 2: 3PL Statistics to Understand the Present Situation

StatisticsValues
Positive work relationship between 3PL users and providers (Supply Chain Digital)91% of users and 97% of providers
Overall logistics cost savings by using 3PLs (Supply Chain Digital)75% of shippers
Frequency of interaction between shippers and 3PLs (Supply Chain Digital)73% of shippers interact daily or hourly

Table 3: Future of 3PLs

MetricValueYear
Projected CAGR8.7%2021-2028
Market Growth in the US3.2%2021
Projected Market SizeUSD 2,144 billion2032

Table 4: Benefits of Large 3PLs

MetricValueYear
Percentage of 3PLs Reporting Improved Profitability79%2020-2021
Percentage of 3PLs Reporting High Profitability Growth (>25%)33%2020-2021
Number of 3PLs Partnering with Other 3PLs to Expand Reach9%2021
Increase in Essential Goods37%2021
Increase in Ecommerce Orders48%2021
Diversifying Fulfillment Types33%2021
New Customer Acquisition71%2021
  • 73% shippers interact with their 3PL on a daily or hourly basis (Supply Chain Digital)

Table 1: Statistics on the Global 3PL Market

MetricValueYear
Market SizeUSD 921.49 billion2020
Market SizeUSD 1,993.72 billion2028
RevenueUSD 961.8 billion2020
CAGR7.6%2022-2032

Table 2: Usage of 3PLs

MetricValueYear
Percentage of Fortune 500 Companies Using 3PLs90%
Percentage of 3PLs Used by Moderate to Large CompaniesHigher
  • 27% of 3PLs perceive labour shortages to be a permanent shift for the industry ( PR News Wire) 

Importance of 3PL Certificates

Certification is a crucial aspect of the 3PL industry as it ensures that 3PL providers meet specific standards and guidelines. The following statistics highlight the importance of 3PL certificates:

  1. 90% of shippers consider a 3PL provider’s certifications as a key selection criterion.
  2. 60% of shippers require their 3PL providers to have ISO 9001 certification.
  3. The most common 3PL certifications include ISO 9001, ISO 14001, and OHSAS 18001.
  4. The International Air Transport Association (IATA) requires 3PL providers to obtain IATA certification to handle dangerous goods.

ISO Certifications

ISO certifications are one of the most common types of certifications for 3PL providers. The following statistics highlight the importance of ISO certifications:

  1. ISO 9001 is the most widely recognized quality management system (QMS) standard worldwide.
  2. 87% of ISO 9001 certified companies reported improved customer satisfaction.
  3. ISO 14001 certification ensures that 3PL providers have implemented an effective environmental management system.
  4. 55% of shippers require their 3PL providers to have ISO 14001 certification.

Other Certifications

In addition to ISO certifications, there are other certifications that 3PL providers can obtain. The following statistics highlight some of these certifications:

  1. The Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT) certification is a requirement for 3PL providers that handle imports into the United States.
  2. The Good Distribution Practice (GDP) certification is required for 3PL providers that handle pharmaceutical products in Europe.
  3. The Safe Quality Food (SQF) certification is a food safety standard that is required by many shippers.

Impact of Certifications on 3PL Providers

Certifications can have a significant impact on the success of a 3PL provider. The following statistics highlight the impact of certifications:

  1. 77% of shippers reported that they would be willing to pay more for a 3PL provider that had industry certifications.
  2. 75% of shippers stated that they would be more likely to select a 3PL provider that had industry certifications.
  3. 3PL providers that obtain industry certifications are more likely to win new business and retain existing customers.

Certification Trends

The 3PL industry is constantly evolving, and certifications are no exception. The following statistics highlight some of the current certification trends in the 3PL industry:

  1. The number of 3PL providers that are obtaining ISO 9001 certification is increasing.
  2. The number of 3PL providers that are obtaining ISO 14001 certification is increasing.
  3. The number of 3PL providers that are obtaining C-TPAT certification is increasing.
  4. The number of 3PL providers that are obtaining SQF certification is increasing.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *