Expanding a food or nutrition business into the Nordic market requires specialized logistics. This is not just about moving boxes; it’s about handling products with strict quality, batch, and expiry date requirements. Based on our research on earlier cases, you can find some prices for this type of 3PL below as well as practical information and what to watch out for.
Handling Specialized Goods
A key challenge for foreign businesses is finding a partner with the right expertise. For products like look products, your logistics provider must be able to manage batch and expiry dates to ensure items are shipped in the correct order (e.g., using a FEFO – First Expired, First Out system). This is critical for consumer safety and minimizing waste.
Furthermore, products like high-energy gels or powdered supplements need to be handled carefully. Your partner should have experience with inbound handling, including visual quality control, to quickly identify any damaged goods upon arrival.
Warehouse and Fulfillment Costs
Understanding pricing is crucial for managing your budget. A typical logistics agreement for a Danish fulfillment provider will include several key cost components:
- Goods Reception: The cost to receive your products, often billed hourly.
- Storage: Prices for storage can vary based on the type of storage unit. For example, a full AutoStore bin will cost roughly DKK 19 per month, while a smaller half-bin is DKK 12 per month. Pallet storage is also available, with prices starting from +/- DKK 49 per month for a small pallet.
- Picking & Packing: You will typically be charged a startup fee per sales order (e.g., DKK 13.50) plus a fee per item picked (e.g., DKK 4.75).
- Returns Management: Handling returns has its own costs. Expect to pay a fee per returned order, plus an hourly rate for processing.
- Administrative Fees: Be aware of other charges, such as a transport administration fee per shipment.
Prices are typically adjusted annually based on Danish economic indices. Also, watch for clauses allowing immediate price hikes due to external factors like rising energy or raw material costs.
Delivery and Last-Mile
From a central hub in Denmark, a proper logistics provider like can provide efficient last-mile delivery to the entire Nordic region (Denmark, Sweden, Norway, and Finland). They offer various delivery options, including parcel lockers and pick-up points. For example, there are nearly 7,000 pick-up points across the Nordics.
Shipping times from a Danish hub are often competitive:
- Sweden: 1-3 days, depending on the zip code.
- Norway: 1-4 days, depending on the zip code.
- Finland: 2-5 days, depending on the zip code.
It is important to note that Norway, as a non-EU country, requires specific handling for customs and import duties. A logistics partner with a parent company in Norway can simplify this process for you.
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