Prioritize direct highway access, dock and staging capacity, bonded and compliance processes, multi-carrier integration (road and intermodal), and SLA-backed lead times. Confirm carrier density for last-mile coverage into Switzerland, Austria and Germany, and check customs/clearance handling if you're shipping across non-EU borders.

Customs status and documentation handling can materially affect cycles and costs. Confirm whether the 3PL offers bonded storage, customs brokerage, and deferred duty solutions. Factor in additional lead time for cross-border clearance and validate accuracy of EDI/API data flows to avoid demurrage or penalties.

Look for WMS with real-time inventory visibility, API integrations for order and carrier management, pick-and-pack optimization, barcode/RFID scanning, and returns processing. Verify the 3PL's ability to support multiple sales channels, automated shipping rules, and standardized reporting for KPI tracking.

Compare landed cost components (storage, handling, pick/pack, shipping), throughput rates (orders per hour), order accuracy, dock turnaround time, and scalability for peak demand. Also evaluate onboarding timelines, minimums, contract flexibility and SLA remedies for service failures.