Prioritize throughput capacity, dock door counts, racking density, and local labor availability. Compare pricing models (storage, handling, pick rates), SLA penalties, WMS/API capabilities, and carrier lane coverage. Also factor cross-border customs experience and expected transit-time reductions to calculate total cost-to-serve.

Key factors are proximity to major highways and border crossings, availability of rail spurs, and density of parcel and LTL carriers. Landside access (turning radii, staging yards), number of dock doors, and bonded or customs-ready facilities materially affect lead times and reliability for cross-border flows.

Yes. Many local 3PLs offer tiered services, WMS integrations, and order-volume thresholds that allow brands to scale. Ensure you negotiate clear SLAs, visibility requirements, and onboarding timelines, and confirm the provider supports batch management, returns processing, and seasonal capacity growth.

Warehousing lease and labor rates in this area are often lower than larger coastal or metro border hubs, improving landed cost. However, savings depend on carrier access and inland drayage; model lane-specific freight spend, dwell time, and inventory carrying costs to validate total cost advantages.