Prioritize carrier network breadth, WMS and API integration, order-to-delivery lead times, SLA commitments, returns processing, and labor flexibility. Assess their ability to handle peak volumes, offer value-added services (kitting, labeling, temperature control), and provide transparent KPIs and billing to measure cost-to-serve.

Choose facilities near major road arteries or feeder ports to lower last-mile miles and enable zone-skipping strategies. Multi-site placement across the prefecture shortens average transit distances, reduces carrier tiers, and enables consolidation for lower freight rates and improved delivery windows.

Look for high-bay racking, dedicated staging and pallet-handling zones, climate-controlled storage, mezzanine options, robust material-handling equipment, and validated kitting and assembly lines. Integration with EDI/ASN capabilities, batch tracking, and reliable outbound scheduling are critical for B2B shipments.

Evaluate the mix of regional and national carriers, parcel aggregators, and freight-forwarding partners a 3PL uses; check dock capacity, carrier appointment systems, and real-time tracking. Prioritize partners with proven on-time delivery records, dispute resolution processes, and APIs for visibility to meet SLA and customer-experience targets.