Prioritize multimodal connectivity (road and regional freight), WMS functionality and integrations (API/EDI), warehouse design (racking, temperature control), throughput metrics (orders/hour, dock turns), SLA adherence, local labor skill and shift patterns, and bonded/cross-border processing capabilities to support both high-volume eCommerce and B2B flows.

Request carrier rosters and lane maps, review empirical transit-time data, examine POD and on-time delivery KPIs, audit dock and cut-off schedules, and run pilot shipments. Confirm last-mile partner coverage for your customer geographies and verify how the 3PL manages exceptions and reverse logistics.

Model fixed and variable storage, pick-and-pack rates, inbound receiving and pallet handling, kitting and value-added services, minimums, billing cycles, customs and bond fees, local taxes, demurrage, and expected transportation-to-market costs to compute total landed and cost-per-order metrics.

Customs requirements affect inventory staging and cycle time—bonded warehousing can defer duties and enable consolidation. Account for document workflows, broker relationships, inspection timelines, and duty optimization when designing order flows to avoid delays and maintain predictable delivery windows.