Evaluate location relative to key highways and customer density, carrier diversity and transit times, WMS and API connectivity, SLA commitments (pick accuracy, lead time), inventory storage methods (racked vs bulk), labor flexibility for peaks, inbound/outbound billing clarity, and customs or paperwork support for cross-border flows.

Request specific carrier lists and lane maps, review scheduled pickup frequency, confirm access to regional intermodal terminals, audit sample transit times for target SKUs, and verify 3PL claims with reference shippers to assess true multimodal capability and reliability.

Insist on a modern WMS with robust API/EDI or native connectors to your OMS, real-time inventory updates, support for batch/lot/serial tracking, mobile scanning, reporting dashboards, and clear change-management processes for integrations and upgrades.

Compare base storage (per pallet/cubic meter), pick-and-pack rates, inbound receiving charges, value-added service fees, minimums, and billing cycles. Negotiate volume tiers, seasonal rate caps, consolidated billing, and shared-cost arrangements for returns and cross-docking to manage variable landed costs.