Prioritize dock door count, yard and trailer staging, secure compound standards, and IT integrations (WMS/EDI/API). Verify outbound carrier schedules, customs brokerage experience, and any temperature‑controlled capability required by your products. Assess labor availability and shift patterns to confirm SLA adherence.

Compare fixed storage rates, per‑pick and packing fees, inbound receiving charges, and accessorials (pallet handling, shrinkwrap). Factor in cross‑dock options, minimum monthly charges, and zone‑based shipping impacts. Use sample SKU volume to model cost‑to‑serve across providers.

Assess regularity of scheduled freight lanes, customs clearance throughput, preferred carrier contracts, and documented processes for permits and documentation. Confirm contingency plans for border delays and the 3PL’s experience with local regulatory inspections to avoid service disruptions.

Use KPIs such as order accuracy, on‑time dispatch rate, dock-to-door transit time, inventory accuracy, and chargeback incidence. During onboarding, validate sample pick runs, audit WMS transaction logs, test EDI/API integrations, and run a pilot volume to verify SLA compliance.