Focus on location relative to port/airport, customs brokerage experience, capacity for cross-docking and temperature control, IT integrations (WMS/APIs), SLA history (OTIF, accuracy), and scalability for peak seasons. Verify insurance, security, and reverse-logistics capabilities to support returns and warranty handling.

Costs can differ by facility type and service level; smaller lease footprints and local labor can be cost-competitive versus larger hubs, but specialized skills (cold chain, inventory control) may be limited. Prioritize 3PLs with trained staff, documented processes, and transparent rate cards to balance cost and service.

Expect container feeder services, regional short-sea links, and scheduled air cargo via the local airport. Confirm frequency, transshipment points, partner shipping lines, lead-time variability, and the 3PL’s forwarder relationships and documentation support to avoid bottlenecks at customs or transshipment hubs.

Require a modern WMS with API/EDI connectivity for real-time inventory, order-level tracking, barcode scanning, batch/lot control, and returns management. Ask for dashboards, KPI reporting (order accuracy, pick time, OTIF), automated alerts, and clearly defined penalties or remediation steps for missed SLAs.