Prioritize carrier connectivity and transit times, facility capabilities (pick-pack, bonded storage, temperature control), labor skill and availability, transparent pricing models, and WMS/ERP integration. Also require clear SLAs and KPI reporting for on-time shipments, order accuracy, and inventory turns to measure cost-to-serve improvements.

Bonded storage reduces immediate duty exposure and supports deferred customs processing, enabling faster regional fulfillment. Evaluate 3PLs on customs handling experience, paperwork accuracy, and relationships with customs brokers to minimize clearance delays and manage inventory staging for cross-border B2B and eCommerce flows.

Require real-time inventory visibility via WMS integration, order accuracy above industry benchmarks, consistent on-time dispatch rates, and defined lead-time SLAs. Key KPIs include order cycle time, fill rate, returns processing time, and cost-per-order. Ensure APIs or EDI for shipping, tracking, and inventory synchronization to support omnichannel fulfillment.