Assess road and rail connectivity, dock capacity, racking and automation levels, cold-chain if required, and proximity to major express carriers. Review carrier integrations (API/EDI), SLA for order-to-ship, inventory accuracy metrics, and evidence of peak-season scalability.

Lower industrial rents and labor rates can reduce monthly storage and handling costs, but evaluate productivity, training, and turnover. Factor in inbound/outbound transport charges, local taxes, and contingency labor for seasonal demand when modeling total landed cost.

Negotiate clear KPIs: order accuracy, on-time shipment, inventory reconciliation cadence, and damage rates. Include minimum service levels, penalties for missed SLAs, inventory visibility requirements, and change-control clauses for volume variability.

Prioritize WMS with real-time inventory, carrier EDI/API, zone routing for last-mile optimization, pick-path optimization, and reverse logistics workflows. Confirm the 3PL’s ability to support same-day or expedited shipments and provide transparent tracking for customers.