Prioritize carrier connectivity to port and airport, available service tiers (standard, expedited, returns), warehouse footprint flexibility, inventory visibility (WMS/API), and experience handling customs/bonded processes. Verify SLAs for pick‑and‑pack accuracy, order cycle times, and peak‑season labor plans.

Bonded and free‑zone facilities allow goods to be stored and consolidated without immediate customs duties, reducing upfront landed costs and enabling value‑added processing. They streamline re‑export, support deferred duty payment, and simplify documentation for consolidated shipments, improving cash flow and clearance times.

Expect real‑time inventory visibility via WMS with API or EDI connectivity, order management interfaces, shipment tracking, exception reporting, and periodic performance dashboards. Look for automated ASN handling, barcode scanning, lot/batch control, and support for marketplace integrations to maintain order accuracy and consumer transparency.

Major cost drivers: storage density (racked vs. bulk), labor rates and productivity, pick density, inbound/outbound handling frequency, and transport access charges. Optimize via SKU rationalization, slotting, demand‑driven replenishment, multi‑temperature consolidation, and choosing a 3PL footprint that minimizes final‑mile distance to core customer clusters.