Prioritize carrier connectivity (sea/air/road), SLA performance history, warehouse technology (WMS, barcode, EDI/API), handling for returns and kitting, and scalability for peaks. Evaluate node density relative to customer clusters and access to bonded or cross-dock facilities to reduce landed cost and transit times.

Multimodal links shorten door-to-door lead times by enabling ocean-to-air consolidation and flexible carrier routing. 3PLs with strong port and airport integrations can shift modes based on cost and urgency, improving fill rates and allowing dynamic carrier selection for final-mile reliability.

Look for distributed storage locations, dedicated picking lanes, real-time inventory visibility, reverse logistics processes, SKU-level slotting, and SLA guarantees for order cutoffs and same/next-day fulfillment. Integration with marketplaces and courier APIs is critical for omnichannel consistency.

Bonded warehousing and in-region consolidation reduce immediate duty exposure and allow inventory staging for demand-driven release, lowering working capital and landed cost. Efficient customs brokers and 3PL consolidation lower per-unit freight and accelerate inventory turns through batch import strategies.