How does the notice period work, and can I leave again?

At Cenfil, there is no minimum contract term. However, there is a six-calendar-month notice period. So you’re not locked into a contract for years, but you also can’t leave next week.

Why There Is a Deadline in the First Place

A fulfillment operation isn’t a service you can simply turn on and off. Staff are scheduled, warehouse space is reserved, and capacity is adjusted to match the agreed-upon volumes. A notice period gives both parties time to wind things down properly, just as the transition to a new provider takes time.

It works just as well the other way around for you: your partner can't just stop processing your orders overnight.

The difference in contract duration

Those are two different things, and they’re often confused. A minimum contract term means you’re locked in for a certain number of years before you’re even allowed to cancel. A notice period simply means there’s a period of time between when you give notice and when you leave.

Long-term contracts are still commonly used in the fulfillment industry. So be sure to ask about this explicitly when comparing providers, because this is exactly where their proposals differ.

Six months will be helpful for you, too

You can't arrange a logistics transition in two weeks. You have to choose a new provider, have an integration built, move your inventory, and run a test order. Six months is more than enough time to do that calmly, rather than under pressure.

What Happens to Your Inventory

Your inventory remains yours. How it is returned and under what conditions is specified in the agreement and the terms and conditions. Be sure to review that section before you sign, because it’s the part you’ll only need once you’re no longer able to negotiate it calmly.

Give written notice of termination

You must give notice in writing, and “in writing” includes email or a message sent through the system you use. Make sure you have a confirmation with a date on it, so there won’t be any dispute later about when the notice period began.

Plan Your Departure

If you do decide to switch, start with your new provider rather than with your cancellation. You’ll want to know when the new connection will be set up and when your inventory can be transferred, because only then will you know what an realistic end date is. Canceling without that information leaves a gap that you’ll have to fill yourself.

Don't run away from a problem

If something is bothering you, discuss it first. Most issues in a fulfillment partnership stem from an agreement that wasn’t clearly defined, and that can be adjusted. Switching providers always costs more than having a conversation.