Require clear SLAs for order lead time, on-time shipment rate, inventory accuracy, and pick/pack accuracy. Insist on WMS/API integrations, EDI or REST APIs, real-time inventory visibility, and reporting dashboards. Also evaluate labor scalability, peak-season throughput, and contingency plans for road disruptions.

Road connectivity and proximity to cross-border corridors directly reduce transit days and fuel-related costs. Assess available LTL consolidation, scheduled regional carriers, and access to major integrators. Account for seasonal road conditions and customs clearance lead times when modeling landed cost and service windows.

Negotiate transparent activity-based fees (receiving, storage by density, pick/pack), volume tiers, minimums, and clear SLA credits for missed SLAs. Include seasonal flex capacity clauses, termination windows, and defined onboarding timelines. Ensure change-order and special-handling rates are documented.

Capabilities vary; many 3PLs offer basic cross-dock, ambient storage, and returns handling, while a smaller subset provide cold-chain or bonded options. Prioritize based on SKU temperature requirements, order velocity, and reverse-logistics volume. If providing perishable or regulated goods, require certified cold storage and traceability.