Assess dock capacity and staging, racking and ceiling height, temperature control, number of pick faces, WMS functionality and API/EDI readiness, average receiving and putaway times, SLA and KPI commitments, carrier integrations, and the 3PL’s experience with returns and peak‑season scaling. Prioritize providers that demonstrate visibility and exception management.

Closer proximity to Highway 16, regional rail spurs and airport freight options typically reduces dray costs, LTL consolidation time and last‑mile premiums. It also enables more routing choices and faster transit to northern markets. Seasonal weather and carrier schedules can still affect predictability, so confirm service windows and contingency plans with the 3PL.

Typical models include monthly storage per pallet/bin, receiving per pallet/hour, pick and pack per order or per pick, outbound labeling and kitting fees, and chargebacks for exceptions. Expect minimum monthly volumes or a base retainer, defined lead times for inbound prep, and SLA penalties tied to accuracy and on‑time shipments. Request detailed rate cards and example invoices.

A basic onboarding and WMS connection can take 4–8 weeks: data mapping, EDI/API setup, test orders and initial slotting. Complex integrations, custom logic, or extensive kitting/temperature requirements can extend timelines to 8–16 weeks. Build a phased plan: pilot SKUs first, validate processes, then scale to full catalogue.