Focus on infrastructure (dock doors, racking, temperature control), IT capability (WMS, reporting, EDI/API), SLA guarantees for order cycle times, customs and bonded-storage experience, carrier integrations, and the 3PL’s ability to scale labor and space during peak demand.

Transit depends on mode and border processing; river and road corridors deliver regional transit advantages into nearby Thai and Vietnamese markets, while air cargo via Pakse airport shortens lead times for urgent freight. Plan routing with the 3PL to account for border clearance windows and modal frequency.

Primary drivers include storage rates, pick-and-pack labor, handling fees, inbound/outbound freight, and customs duties. Optimize by consolidating shipments, improving inventory turns, negotiating multi-year or seasonal rate structures, and using a WMS to reduce pick errors and labor hours.

Verify bonded warehouse licensing, accredited customs brokerage, experience with import/export declarations and tariff classifications, ability to manage transit permits, digital documentation exchange, and insurance coverage for intermodal transfers to minimize clearance delays and compliance risk.