Prioritize measurable KPIs: order accuracy, on-time shipment rate, average pick-pack cycle time, inventory accuracy, return turnaround, and dock-to-stock lead time. Also evaluate onboarding time, WMS connectivity, SLA penalties, and real-world reporting frequency to ensure the 3PL can meet your velocity and visibility needs.

Assess rail frequency, intermodal options, highway access for TL/LTL, proximity to consolidation hubs, and carrier partnerships. Review lane-level rate transparency, transit-time variability, and available consolidation services to understand landed-cost impact and delivery reliability for your network.

Confirm cold-chain capacity (temperature zones, monitoring), racking types, power redundancy, fire suppression, bonded warehouse status, and licensed customs brokerage. Verify documentation processes for export, HACCP or relevant food safety certification, and ability to perform value-added services under customs control.

Startups often face higher per-unit costs and minimums, while enterprises secure volume discounts and tiered pricing. Negotiate minimums, slotting fees, billing intervals, volume bands, SLA credits, and short-term pilot terms to reduce risk and align unit economics as volume ramps.