Evaluate all direct and indirect costs: per-pallet and per-SKU storage rates, pick-and-pack fees, inbound/outbound handling, cross-dock charges, fuel and carrier surcharges, customs/bonded fees, inventory carrying cost, and expected shrinkage. Model cost per order at target volumes and service levels to compare proposals on landed-cost impact rather than headline rates.

Look for paved yards with heavy-lift access, segregated bonded and ambient/temperature zones, scalable racking, real-time WMS APIs, dedicated loading bays, and agreements with regional trucking and port feeders. These elements enable predictable lead times, cross-docking, and last-mile handoffs for omnichannel flows.

Yes, many 3PLs offer bonded warehousing and in-house or partnered customs brokerage to simplify cross-border moves. Verify bonded status, export declarations capability, compliance with local regulations, and integration between customs processes and the 3PL's WMS to avoid delays and detention fees.

Critical KPIs include inventory accuracy, order pick accuracy, order cycle time, on-time shipping rate, dock-to-stock time, and claims ratio. Also include reporting cadence, API uptime, SLA credits for missed targets, minimum notice for capacity changes, and scalability triggers tied to volume tiers.