Focus on carrier access (river and road), dock and staging capabilities, racked vs bulk storage, SLA for pick-and-pack, and proximity to target markets. Also evaluate seasonal access constraints, security, and the 3PL’s experience with cross-border paperwork and customs.

Assess multimodal options and typical dwell times: deliveries from Vichada may rely more on inland road and river legs versus coastal hubs. Ask 3PLs for carrier network maps, transit-time matrices to major cities, and historical on-time metrics to compare real-world performance.

Require clear specs on dock count, mezzanine or racked capacity, climate control where needed, secure returns processing, IT integrations (WMS, EDI, API), and packaging/kitting capabilities to support scalable order profiles.

Confirm the 3PL’s customs brokerage partners, bonded storage options, and experience with export documentation. Evaluate border transit routes, permits, and risk mitigation procedures to ensure predictable lead times and compliance for cross-border shipments.

Request SLA commitments on order accuracy, cut-off times, inventory reconciliation cadence, and claims response. Require WMS access or APIs for real-time inventory, daily KPIs, and automated carrier booking to support omnichannel visibility and continuous improvement.