Evaluate proximity to major highways and ports, number of dock doors and staging bays, racking and storage density, climate control and bonded space, and the 3PL’s carrier contracts and lane coverage. Also verify WMS/API connectivity, EDI support, and real‑time tracking to ensure tight transit and cost control.

Focus on peak labor scalability, automation (conveyor, pick‑to‑light), returns processing throughput, pick/pack accuracy rates, and slotting strategies. Request historical SLA performance during peak seasons and inspect reverse‑logistics workflows to confirm they align with your return volume and speed requirements.

Include base warehouse rent, handling and storage fees, labor premiums for value‑add services, local taxes/fees, drayage to port or hub, and inbound/outbound carrier rates. Build scenarios for SKU velocity, seasonality, and multi‑node distribution to compare TCO across 3PL proposals.

Define order accuracy, on‑time shipment rate, dock‑to‑stock cycle time, inventory accuracy, and chargeback terms for non‑compliance. Require WMS/API access for inventory visibility, automated shipment confirmations, and regular reporting cadence for KPI review and continuous improvement.

Assess network design options: hub‑and‑spoke, decentralized stocking, or cross‑dock nodes. Map customer density to proposed warehouse locations, analyze zone skipping and parcel vs LTL strategies, and negotiate carrier contracts that align with your service windows and freight profile to optimize cost and delivery times.