Prioritize port and road connectivity, bonded yard availability, handling equipment (dock levellers, forklifts), storage flexibility (ambient/cold), and staffing reliability. Also evaluate carrier interfaces, billing transparency, claims processes, and the 3PL’s track record for SKU velocity management and seasonal scaling.

Closer proximity to port and direct feeder services reduce drayage and handling steps, cutting transit variability. Strong regional carrier networks enable competitive lane rates and faster last‑mile options, lowering inventory days and total landed cost by reducing buffer inventory and expedite charges.

Negotiate transparent SKU storage tiers, pick/pack and handling rates, minimum monthly volumes, demurrage and detention pass-throughs, and clear billing for value‑added services. Include SLA penalties for order accuracy and lead-time breaches, and define onboarding and exit terms to limit unexpected fees.

Require real-time inventory visibility (API or EDI), WMS-driven picking accuracy, scan-based receiving/ship confirmation, and exceptions reporting. SLAs should cover order accuracy, same/next-day processing windows, pick-to-ship timelines, and clearly measured KPIs for downtime, damages, and on-time delivery.