Assess racked storage versus bulk capacity, cold‑chain and hazmat certifications, equipment age (forklifts, pallet racking), receiving/dispatch throughput, and maintenance schedules. Verify WMS integration, security, insurance, and contingency plans for power or transport disruption to maintain SLA compliance and inventory integrity.

• Primary drivers: freight frequency, fuel surcharges, vessel/aircraft capacity, LCL consolidation, and local handling fees.
• A 3PL can optimize by consolidating shipments, scheduling to lower‑cost sailings, negotiating feeder rates, and improving packaging density to reduce per‑unit freight.

Expect HS classification, duty assessment, importer of record needs, quarantine or inspection fees, and local port charges. A competent 3PL or broker should handle documentation, customs clearance filings, duty payment coordination, and advise on permit timelines to prevent demurrage and inbound delays.

Prioritize carrier schedule frequency, transshipment hub choices, feeder vessel capacity, airport freighter availability, minimum dwell times, and alternative routings. Confirm published cutoffs, contingency routing for weather disruption, and SLA remedies tied to carrier performance to preserve inventory flow.

• Order accuracy (%), on‑time dispatch, and delivery‑window compliance.
• Receiving turnaround (TAT), inventory accuracy, dwell time, and damage/shrink rates.
• Reporting cadence and escalation procedures—these should be contractually defined to align operational expectations with cost and frequency constraints.