Evaluate warehouse layout and racking, WMS integration and API capabilities, inbound/outbound dock capacity, cross-dock and staging space, SLA performance for pick-and-pack, and carrier connectivity for regional and coastal routes. Also assess scalability, labor shift patterns, and local transportation partners to control last-mile costs.

Proximity to major highways reduces over-the-road transit times and fuel costs, improving consistency for scheduled deliveries and LTL consolidation. Strong carrier access enables competitive freight rates, more routing options, and lower dwell times, which collectively shorten lead times and reduce total landed costs.

Include local warehousing tariffs, regional labor rates, truckload and LTL lane pricing, import/export handling fees at nearby ports, and variability in fuel surcharges. Factor in inventory carrying costs for longer transit lanes and any incentives for multi-year leases or shared services.

Prioritize omnichannel WMS with real-time inventory visibility, multi-client pick-and-pack workflows, BOPIS and ship-from-store coordination, returns processing, and serialization/tracking for multi-sku orders. Confirm SLAs for same-day or next-day shipping where required.

3PLs can consolidate domestic shipments into export containers, manage export documentation and customs coordination, and optimize drayage to nearby coastal terminals. They also offer value-added services like packaging for export compliance and inventory staging for scheduled vessel cutoffs.