Prioritize facility location relative to ports/airports and major highways, WMS capabilities and API/EDI integration, SLA terms (order-to-ship, picking accuracy), customs and bonded-warehouse services, scalability for peak seasons, and transparent costing (storage, handling, inbound receiving).

Customs clearance and bonded storage can reduce landed costs by deferring duties until goods enter the domestic market and can speed distribution when 3PLs handle documentation. Expect variability in lead times depending on broker performance, documentation completeness, and port congestion; choose 3PLs with in-house customs expertise to mitigate delays.

Key corridors include CA-1 and CA-9 linking to El Salvador, Honduras and Honduras routes to Nicaragua, as well as CA-2 toward the Pacific ports. Combined with La Aurora airport and access to Puerto Quetzal and Santo Tomás de Castilla, these corridors enable flexible modal mixes for regional LTL and FTL distribution.

Compare line-item charges: storage (per pallet/cubic), pick-and-pack fees (per SKU/pick), inbound receiving, kitting, returns handling, and monthly minimums. Factor in variable costs such as fuel surcharges, custom brokerage fees, and seasonal labor premiums to calculate total cost per order and margin impact.