3pl 4pl 3PL (Third-Party Logistics) and 4PL (Fourth-Party Logistics) are terms used to describe logistics providers that manage the supply chain. A 3PL handles the physical movement of goods, including warehousing, fulfillment, and distribution. A 4PL goes beyond 3PL by managing the entire logistics operation and coordinating various service providers, acting as an intermediary between the client and multiple logistics partners.