When to Ship Direct, to a Seller Hub, or Through a 3PL
Choose the right B2B group purchase shipment mode by comparing direct delivery, seller hubs, and third-party logistics workflows.
By CrossOrder Team · Fulfillment Operations
Choose a shipment mode before orders are approved
Shipment mode affects the data you need, the party responsible for the last mile, and the point at which an order is ready to release. Choosing it after orders arrive creates avoidable address changes, cost surprises, and unclear seller expectations.
Set the intended mode at campaign setup, then make it visible on every order and shipment batch created from the campaign.
Use direct delivery when customer addresses are reliable
Direct delivery works well when the supplier or fulfillment partner can ship to individual customers and the order data is complete. It reduces an extra handling step, but it requires strong address validation and clear responsibility for delivery exceptions.
Use a seller hub or 3PL when consolidation adds control
A seller hub can be appropriate when a trusted seller coordinates local handoff, combined delivery, or customer communication. A 3PL is useful when packing, labeling, inventory handling, or carrier integrations need to be standardized across campaigns.
In both cases, group approved orders into an explicit shipment batch. Record the receiving party, quantities, dispatch details, and exceptions so the batch can be reconciled against the campaign and settlement later.