Evaluate inbound and outbound transit times to target markets, pickup frequency, on-time delivery rate, order accuracy, and carrier SLAs. Verify carrier reach into rural routes, frequency of consolidation services to Assam hubs, and integrations with national parcel networks to prevent blind spots in last-mile delivery.

Prioritize WMS visibility, real-time order processing, dedicated pick-pack zones, returns handling, scalable racking, and basic temperature control if needed. Confirm staffing flexibility for peak seasons, secure storage, barcode scanning, and ability to support multi-SKU assortments with SLA-driven throughput.

Operating here can mean higher per-km freight rates and longer transit to major ports, but it lowers last-mile times to Northeast customers and reduces cross-region repositioning. Assess total landed cost by balancing local delivery reductions against higher feeder costs to mainland hubs.

Confirm the 3PL’s experience with state permits, movement passes for restricted districts, consignment documentation, and local transport regulations. Ensure they can handle statutory inspections, GST invoicing for inter-state moves, and any special compliance for controlled or high-value goods.