Matt Hertz - ThirdPerson.co's Profile
Matt Hertz - ThirdPerson.co
Recent Messages
#logistics-operations - May 29, 2025 at 01:27 AM
I've seen 3PLs range from 0% to 100% markup (even more!). My general philosophy is I'm okay with 3PLs marking up postage as much as they want, so long as the net rate the client pays is more competitive than what they can get on their own (or elsewhere).
3PLs gotta eat too, and it's a very thin margin business. Some make margin on postage, while others make it elsewhere (fulfillment, storage, fixed fee overhead, etc).
Cost per order is a metric I care more about, rather than hammering every single line item. So long as that net cost is competitive, let the 3PL make their $$ too. Besides, they'll like you a little bit more if it's a higher margin client 🙂
#general-chat - May 29, 2025 at 01:24 AM
I hope you're right Aaron. I just think it will be quick so they can prevent de minimis parcels from China.
#general-chat - May 29, 2025 at 12:44 AM
This is turning into a royal rumble! But unfortunately it will likely be overturned by the Court of Appeals in the next day or two. Trump will insist that he has full power to implement tariffs as he sees fit.
#meetups-events - May 28, 2025 at 06:51 PM
Hey y'all!
Wanted to share with this community something very special we've been working on here at :
Third Person's Inaugural Logistics & Leadership Retreat, taking place September 22–24, 2025 in my hometown of Nashville, TN.
The best news: This is completely free for E-COMMERCE BRANDS, which includes a 2-night stay at the Soho House in Nashville!
This is not a conference—it's a curated cohort focused on creating meaningful relationships, not surface-level networking. It is not open to the public, we are limiting attendance to 1 person per company (founders/execs only) and are capping attendance at only 50 guests to encourage real connections and an intimate retreat experience.
Applications are being reviewed and accepted on a rolling basis across three sectors: Brands, 3PLs, and Logistic Tech Companies.
You can find more information about the event here () where you can also find the sign up link towards the bottom (and ). I'm also attaching an overview flyer. Feel free to reply with comments/questions or DM me.
Hope to see some of you there!
Matt
#logistics-operations - May 27, 2025 at 08:47 PM
15-20% markup is better than the original 20-30% markup!
If I were you I'd be looking beyond USPS as my primary carrier. Options like DHL, or other alternative carriers will help get those prices down ever more.
#general-chat - May 15, 2025 at 11:48 AM
Hey @Lawrence Stark 👋
Definitely a handful of 3PLs in the OR area. Would be great to learn more about your specific needs before simply lobbing a list of 3PLs at you.
Would love for you to check out , a free AI-powered 3PL discovery platform I run to help brands discover and connect with qualified 3PLs.
Just did a quick check and looks like we have about 10 3PLs with facilities in OR, so lots of selection, but just need you to share a little more about the opportunity so our matching algorithm can score your needs against each of them.
DM with any questions!
#logistics-operations - May 12, 2025 at 12:08 PM
🚨 📦 CHINA-U.S. CEASEFIRE!! 🚨 📦
90-day pause on China tariffs.
The U.S. will lower tariffs of 145% on Chinese goods, imposed since Trump took office, to 30%.
Within that framework, U.S. will cut its 125% “reciprocal” tariff on Chinese goods to 10%.
A 20% tariff tied to the fentanyl crisis will remain.
Levies that predate Trump's second term will also continue.
It’s temporary. The rollbacks will last for 90 days while the two sides continue negotiations.
The effective tariff rate on China stood at 11% before Trump took office. They will now be closer to 39%, once some exemptions are factored in.
While they are immediate (will be effective Wednesday), they are also temporary. The rollbacks will last for 90 days while both sides continue negotiations.
No changes to de minimis rules in this announcement (I suspect that won't change).
I suspect freight rates from China to U.S. are about to surge as folks "hit play" on freight they've been holding, and ramp up production to import over the next 90 days.
Very positive news, at least in the short term.
#logistics-operations - May 05, 2025 at 12:39 AM
@Nate D shoot me a DM. Happy to chat!
#logistics-operations - May 03, 2025 at 07:09 PM
Yes, at quick glance they should be 20-30% less expensive. Are you using a 3pL, or managing parcel rates independently?
#logistics-operations - April 29, 2025 at 05:59 PM
Thanks <@U081DD974EA> 🙌
Nice to meet you @Andrew Mueller
Huge dog fans over here, so I'm particularly excited to help.
Feel free to DM or check out the platform I launched last year, , which helps brands like yours discover and connect with 3PLs. Completely free to use, and only takes about 5 minutes to sign up and see a short list of qualified partners.
Happy to hop on a call and chat further. Anything to help our dogs!!
#meetups-events - April 27, 2025 at 03:54 PM
You know I'd be there if I was in town! Looks like a great event
#logistics-operations - April 24, 2025 at 04:16 PM
Yes, Dean, happy to help, although my guidance will pale in comparison to what @Chad Michael Carleton can share 🙂
#the-welcome-mat - April 24, 2025 at 12:11 PM
A true e-commerce operations legend right here! Great to see you here <@U08Q11LPRFS>
#general-chat - April 11, 2025 at 12:33 PM
Both. They’re essentially a broker , but have design teams. Have a lot of relationships domestically (for quick turns, small MOQ) and overseas.
#logistics-operations - April 11, 2025 at 11:37 AM
Hey @Michael Tucker 👋
I haven't used it myself (besides demo'ing), but I work with a number of brands who are using it and I'm very close with their founder/ceo Kyle (who previously founded Chubbies). He "gets it". Building an easy to use ERP for Shopify-native brands.
Happy to connect you with Kyle so you get the attention you need.
#general-chat - April 08, 2025 at 06:27 PM
Hey @Rose Fierman - you need to talk to my friend of many years Matt (no relation to me! ) . He works at out of Chicago and do design packaging and engineering for countless of e-comm brands. Happy to connect y'all with him directly or shoot him a note at
#logistics-operations - April 03, 2025 at 09:24 PM
Hey @Ben Hedlund
Happy to chat and help! While my platform () doesn’t yet enable brands to discover 3Pls outside the U.S. (coming soon!) I have a good network of providers in Canada and other markets.
Would love to learn more about your specific needs (volumes, SKUs, product category etc) and I can connect you with the right folks.
#general-chat - April 03, 2025 at 05:53 PM
Great post and thanks for all the insights @Chad Michael Carleton !
For those looking for 3PL competitive benchmarking (or heck, a great 3PL!) definitely reach out to Chad. Through the work that I do at I have referred many brands to his team at Good Company.
Like Chad, I'm always happy to chat 3PL/fulfillment strategies particularly in light of all this tariff news. Feel free to DM me!
#general-chat - April 02, 2025 at 07:29 PM
I've done a lot of work with:
Super easy to work with and quick turns. Happy to connect
#logistics-operations - April 02, 2025 at 03:09 PM
Hey Steven - I'm sorry to hear about that. I have two go-to connections for freight forwarding. Flexport and SEKO logistics. Depending on your exact needs one may be better than the other. Happy to connect you with either or both or learn more.
#logistics-operations - March 26, 2025 at 11:54 AM
Hey <@U084013P8BH> 👋
I'm not familiar with ShipNetwork (there are literally over 10,000 3PLs in the U.S!) but I have had a lot of exposure to Shipbob.
I'd say Shipbob is probably the most disputatious or polemical 3PL out there . They have over 7,500 customers (according to their reports) and are among the larger DTC 3PL's. I'd be lying if I said I don't regularly support brands who struggle with them and are accordingly, looking for their next 3PL.
But in their defense, they do have an ICP (ideal client profile) that if you stay true to that, would make for a really great partner, just like any other 3PL.
It's hard to give a good recommendation or endorsement without understanding what you are looking for in a new provider, and what your operational needs are. The relationship between a 3PL and a brand is kinda like marriage - what matters to you in a partner is inevitably different than what matters to someone else.
Happy to help you think through this, as well, feel free to check out , a free platform that helps folks like you solve this exact problem - discover and connect with 3PLs who are a great fit for you.
#logistics-operations - March 26, 2025 at 11:50 AM
Hey <@U084013P8BH> 👋
I'm not familiar with ShipNetwork (there are literally over 10,000 3PLs in the U.S!) but I have had a lot of exposure to Shipbob.
• : This word describes someone who is fond of arguing or disputing.
•
is one of the larger 3PLs in the U.S. They have many facilities in the U.S. and Canada and offer a full suite of services - which is great for many, but can also drown smaller brands. They are great for the right ICP (ideal client profile).
If it's you who are exploring 3PLs would be glad to hop on a call and chat through best ways to find a great 3PL for your specific needs.
#general-chat - March 26, 2025 at 12:40 AM
Hey Maria -
NFI is one of the larger 3PLs in the U.S. They have many facilities in the U.S. and Canada and offer a full suite of services - which is great for many, but can also drown smaller brands. They are great for the right ICP (ideal client profile).
If it's you who are exploring 3PLs would be glad to hop on a call and chat through best ways to find a great 3PL for your specific needs.
#logistics-operations - March 26, 2025 at 12:40 AM
Hey Maria -
NFI is one of the larger 3PLs in the U.S. They have many facilities in the U.S. and Canada and offer a full suite of services - which is great for many, but can also drown smaller brands. They are great for the right ICP (ideal client profile).
If it's you who are exploring 3PLs would be glad to hop on a call and chat through best ways to find a great 3PL for your specific needs.
#general-chat - March 24, 2025 at 10:26 PM
You clearly have FAILED in building community Shin
#general-chat - March 22, 2025 at 11:39 AM
^ echo @Deb Mukherjee’s feedback. As well, if you sell DTC and don't use Shopify, what are you doing??
#general-chat - March 03, 2025 at 03:47 PM
I agree with @Aaron Alpeter here. I have seen it used as a security deposit of sorts. I would inquire to understand is it a deposit or a true one time onboarding payment. Depending on the expected monthly spend with your 3PL this will hopefully be a very small amount.
#the-welcome-mat - February 26, 2025 at 02:29 AM
Hey <@U08DPCLNS6P>
What a "fun" brand - congrats on your success! I can see the market for this product (...truly! )
If there is anything I can do to help you and your brand with respect to shipping and fulfillment (3PL, etc) in the U.S. please DM and reach out. Consider me a friend and a resource!
Matt
#the-welcome-mat - February 26, 2025 at 02:27 AM
Hey <@U0891CXKKRV>
Apologies for my delay in acknowledging your intro - I saw it come in, but rare for me to have a few minutes to actually reach out to those I can help!
What a great brand - congrats on your success.
If there is anything I can do to help you and your brand with respect to shipping and fulfillment (3PL, etc) in the U.S. please DM and reach out. Consider me a friend and a resource!
Matt
#the-welcome-mat - February 26, 2025 at 02:26 AM
Hey <@U089A1U21TJ>
Apologies for my delay in acknowledging your intro - I saw it come in, but rare for me to have a few minutes to actually reach out to those I can help!
What a fun brand - my wife is obsessed with limoncello so now I need to purchase some!
Speaking of which, if there is anything I can do to help you and your brand with respect to shipping and fulfillment (3PL, etc) in the U.S. please DM and reach out. Consider me a friend and a resource!
Matt
#the-welcome-mat - February 26, 2025 at 02:25 AM
Hey <@U087RRXH2UU>
Apologies for my delay in acknowledging your intro - I saw it come in, but rare for me to have a few minutes to actually reach out to those I can help!
Natty ice cream looks like such a fun brand - congrats on your early traction.
If there is anything I can do to help you and your brand with respect to shipping and fulfillment (3PL, etc) in the U.S. please DM and reach out. Consider me a friend and a resource!
Matt
#the-welcome-mat - February 26, 2025 at 02:23 AM
Hey <@U0853JPJBL5>
Apologies for my delay in acknowledging your intro - I saw it come in, but rare for me to have a few minutes to actually reach out to those I can help!
What a fun brand - congrats on your success.
If there is anything I can do to help you and your brand with respect to shipping and fulfillment (3PL, etc) in the U.S. please DM and reach out. Consider me a friend and a resource!
Matt
#the-welcome-mat - February 26, 2025 at 02:21 AM
Hey <@U083K0WFRF1>
Apologies for my delay in acknowledging your intro - I saw it come in, but rare for me to have a few minutes to actually reach out to those I can help!
What a fun brand - congrats on your early traction.
If there is anything I can do to help you and your brand with respect to shipping and fulfillment (3PL, etc) in the U.S. please DM and reach out. Consider me a friend and a resource!
Matt
#logistics-operations - February 19, 2025 at 01:24 AM
Yes, <@U084013P8BH> I believe that is accurate. But how tariffs are determined (sale price, or cost of goods, or "fair value") is still being determined.
#logistics-operations - February 18, 2025 at 01:31 PM
Hey Ben!
So the issue, as you know, is rather nuanced and confusing, in part because it seems like it's changing by the week. Generally where we stand today, as Aaron highlighted, is that goods with product of origin China no longer qualify for de minimis entry into the United States. If you are fulfilling from a UK 3PL into the U.S. for goods made in say, Europe, you can continue to take advantage of duty-free entry (< $800).
However, I suspect - and many of us do as well - that it's only time before de minimis is eliminated for goods of all values, from any origin outside of the U.S. In other words, if goods are sold in the United States, they will either be subject to tax on an order basis, or, if you chose to fulfill out of a U.S.-based 3PL you will pay import taxes on those containers/cartons/pallets, unless you park those goods in a free trade zone ("FTZ") where you are then charged duties upon sale, not import.
So effectively, I think of this decision as somewhat neutralized - that is, it won't be necessarily "cheaper" to fulfill from U.S. vs UK as tax will likely be paid one way or the other., however of course it becomes more sensible to fulfill out of the U.S. for faster transit times and less costly postage.
Naturally the Trump administration may enact new policy, or shield certain nations via free trade agreements, but right now that's all speculation.
So to answer your question, yes, I would be looking to partner with a US-based 3PL sooner than later, if for no other reason than a very valuable "hedge". I don't believe you will "lose out" by doing so.
#logistics-operations - February 07, 2025 at 02:44 AM
There is really good info summarizing what's happened with tariffs / de minimis in this deck Flexport put out today:
#logistics-operations - February 06, 2025 at 09:56 PM
Thanks @Deb Mukherjee and @Shin Takeda 🙏
Eduardo, thanks for the DM... I will follow up there 🙂
I also encourage you to connect with @Chad Michael Carleton . He happens to be conveniently located in the literal center of the U.S.
#general-chat - February 04, 2025 at 02:29 PM
Hey @French 👋
Would love to help you - feel free to DM.
Also, check out , a platform built to help brands like yours discover and connect with the best 3PLs for your specific needs. It's completely free to use. Both Jarrett's 3PL (GoBolt) and Chad's (Good Co) are enrolled on the platform, would be fun to see how they score against your needs.
#logistics-operations - February 03, 2025 at 05:43 PM
This is awesome. Thanks for hosting!
#logistics-operations - February 03, 2025 at 01:31 PM
Oh and is another one too. Launched by ex-Pitney Bowes execs. Happy to connect!
#logistics-operations - February 03, 2025 at 01:01 PM
Hey Colin,
I work with brands helping them discover and engage with the best 3PLs for their specific needs. The platform I built, , is essentially a curated "dating app" for brands like yours looking to find the best 3PL.
Like dating apps, we don't get in the way, disrupt the flow of communication, own the relationships, etc ... we just want to help you discover the best.
Confident there aren't many out there who know the 3PL space better, so I would love to be a resource and a friend to you.
The "best" 3PL I know out of China is . A handful of brands I've worked with, invested in, and advised use them. Happy to connect you with their CEO.
#logistics-operations - February 03, 2025 at 03:56 AM
A lot going on with respect to tariffs this weekend, so thought I'd recap what I know.
Here's the current scoreboard (...which might look different in the morning )
- 25% on Mexican imports (above existing duties and tariffs)
- 25% on Canadian imports (above existing duties and tariffs) except energy
- 10% on Canadian imports of energy and oil (above existing duties and tariffs)
- $800 de minimis on Canadian imports is no longer (as of Tuesday). Parcels now taxed on first dollar.
- 10% on 🇨🇳 Chinese imports (above existing duties and tariffs)
Still waiting on formal statement re China and Mexico, but generally duties/tariffs are assessed on the country of origin,
e.g. if product is manufactured in China, but fulfilled out of Mexico, the applicable tariff will be China.
Similarly, if you manufacture in Vietnam and fulfill out of Mexico, there will not be any tariff.
However, if you manufacture in China and fulfill out of Canada into U.S. - previously taking advantage of $800 de minimis threshold - that duty avoidance will be no longer be available, come Tuesday.
#logistics-operations - February 02, 2025 at 07:27 PM
It seems the $800 de minimis will stay in tact for non-CA, MX, CN origin goods. So for example, you’d still be able to ship an e-comm order of a product made in Vietnam duty free from Canada.
#logistics-operations - February 02, 2025 at 02:05 PM
It is not. The only change with respect to China is there will be an additional 10% on imports. De minimis is only being eliminated for Canadian imports at this moment.
#general-chat - February 02, 2025 at 02:14 AM
Shoot me a DM and I’d be happy to connect and chat more about different locations. I can also connect you with one or two people who can help with space
#logistics-operations - February 02, 2025 at 12:49 AM
For those in e-commerce, Trump tonight just laid down the hammer on imports. I just posted this on , but here's the story:
Trump orders tariffs on Canada, Mexico and China
One executive order places 25% tariffs on goods from Mexico, while another installs 25% tariffs on goods from Canada ("only" 10% tariff on Canadian energy). A third executive order levies an additional 10% tariff on imports from China.
The U.S. also will suspend the “de minimis” loophole for Canada, which allows shipments valued under $800 to enter the country duty-free, because of concerns that those packages were not being properly inspected under the exemption.
The tariffs on imports from Canada and China will take effect Feb. 4 (this Tuesday!) The White House has yet to confirm the timeline for duties on Mexico.
Flows of supply chain and trade are quickly changing.
#general-chat - February 02, 2025 at 12:47 AM
Hey @Hubman 👋
These tariffs are legit, and is shrewd of you to consider moving your fulfillment to the U.S. But the right city is dependent on what your distribution patterns look like.
Depending on your scale, it might not make a huge difference whether you distribute from the north-east, Chicago, Dallas, or west coast.
But more importantly, I'm a proponent of finding a great partner over optimizing for the perfect city. Which is exactly why I built , a free AI-powered platform to help brands like yours discover and connect with the best 3PL partner for your specific needs. Kinda like a dating app for brands looking to discover 3PLs.
Would love for you to sign up - it should take less than 10 minutes, is anonymous, and there you can connect with 3PLs who score highly against your needs.
Feel free to DM with any questions! Excited to help!
#logistics-operations - February 01, 2025 at 02:03 PM
I second @Aaron Alpeter and what he's building at Slotted. Perfect platform to help with end-to-end 3PL RFPs.
Of course if you are looking for a place to start and simply identifying a short list of qualified 3PLs for your specific needs, would love for you to check out , the free AI-powered platform that helps brands discover and connect with 3PLs directly (kinda like a dating app for brands looking to find 3PLs). Can layer onto a tool like Slotted or other consultants (or in house bandwidth).
#meetups-events - January 19, 2025 at 12:50 AM
If any of y'all will be at the Fancy Food Show in Vegas this week, shoot me a DM (or reply here) would love to say hi!
#general-chat - January 18, 2025 at 09:05 PM
^ I echo that sentiment. There are increasingly cost-competitive carriers/services to move product overseas. Often cheaper than setting up a new dedicated warehouse.