Assess proximity to major ports (Rio Grande, Porto Alegre), highway corridors to São Paulo and southern Brazil, rail interchanges, and airport freight capacity. Verify the 3PL’s carrier roster, intermodal handling experience, transit-time SLAs, and port/terminal relationships that affect export/import cycles.

Real estate and labor rates in Rio Grande do Sul tend to be more cost‑competitive than São Paulo metro areas, especially in industrial parks outside major cities. Costs vary by municipality, facility specifications, and incentives, so analyze occupancy, handling rates, and total cost‑to‑serve for your SKU mix.

Prioritize accurate WMS with real‑time inventory, ecommerce integrations, fast pick‑pack processes, scalable labor, returns processing, kitting/assembly, and local carrier integrations for same‑day or next‑day fulfillment. Cold‑chain controls matter for perishables and agribusiness goods.

Confirm the 3PL’s customs brokerage partnerships, experience with export documentation, bonded or fiscal warehouse options, tariff classification accuracy, and track record with Mercosur and international carriers. Review examples of export flows and KPIs for on‑time clearances.