Prioritize port and road connectivity, available dock capacity, and handling equipment for your product profile. Evaluate WMS functionality and API maturity for order flow, labor skillsets for value-added services, clear SLAs on order lead times and error rates, and transparent cost models for storage, pick-pack, and inbound/outbound handling.

Carrier diversity and consolidation reduce per-unit freight cost and increase routing flexibility. A 3PL with multi-carrier relationships and consolidation services can lower LCL/FCL rates, shorten transit via direct port services, and improve last-mile options, directly impacting delivered cost and customer lead times.

Insist on WMS access or API integrations, electronic proof-of-delivery, real-time inventory snapshots, and exception alerts. Negotiate KPIs for inventory accuracy, order cycle time, on-time dispatch, returns processing time, and chargeback thresholds tied to penalties or service credits.

Assess fixed versus variable fees, minimums, slotting and handling charges, inbound receiving rates, storage tiers, and peak season surcharges. Request modeled scenarios for typical order profiles, returns rates, and seasonal peaks to compare true landed cost and scalability without hidden uplift.