Assess port frequency and handling capabilities, feeder and short-sea services, rail and trunk-road links to target markets, nearby airport cargo services, and on-site customs/bonded warehouse options. Also verify cross-dock capacity, container yard access, and transit time reliability to your primary lanes.

Burgas often offers lower land and labor costs versus capital-region hubs, improving cost-per-pallet metrics. However, automation levels and labor pool depth vary by operator. Evaluate 3PL investments in technology, pick accuracy, shift models, and scalability to ensure service levels meet growth targets.

Negotiate cut-off times, picking accuracy, order cycle time, inventory visibility (WMS integrations), returns processing SLAs, chargeback and penalty clauses, and parcel integrations. Ensure lead-time guarantees for peak seasons and clauses for seasonal capacity flexibility.

Confirm the 3PL's customs brokerage relationships, bonded warehouse licensing, experience with export/import declarations, familiarity with EORI/INCOTERMS, and processes for duty deferment, temporary storage, and transit documentation to minimize clearance delays.