Prioritize throughput capacity, peak-season scalability, slotting and SKU density, WMS functionality and API integration, returns processing, and service-level guarantees (pick accuracy, order cycle times). Also validate footprint proximity to major road corridors and freight options to ensure transit times meet customer SLAs.

Because Hungary is in the EU single market, intra-EU shipments avoid customs clearance, reducing complexity and transit delays. Budapest provides strong road and rail links to CEE and Western Europe and access to multiple carriers and intermodal services; non-EU destinations will still require customs expertise and bonded solutions from your 3PL.

Expect lower rents and labor rates in Budapest compared with Western hubs, but evaluate increased transport legs to certain Western endpoints. Model landed cost per order including inventory carrying, outbound freight, and service-level penalties — often a multi-node strategy (regional hubs + central inventory in Budapest) balances cost and lead time.

Require real-time inventory synchronization (API or EDI), event-level shipment visibility, daily inventory and order reports, KPIs for accuracy and on-time delivery, defined response times for exceptions, and contractual SLAs covering data uptime, audit rights and security compliance.