Assess multimodal links (road, regional rail feeders, proximity to air freight), highway access to main distribution corridors, dock capacity and yard depth, existing carrier contracts and consolidation lanes, and local last-mile networks to ensure SLA compliance and optimized routing.

Compare total landed storage costs (rent, utilities, handling rates), local labor pools and seasonal labor availability, and the ability to scale footprint or add automation. Lower base rents can be offset by throughput or labor constraints—model per-order costs to compare providers.

Negotiate OTIF percentages, order cycle time, inventory accuracy, dock-to-stock lead times, pick/pack error rates, return processing SLA, and penalty or incentive terms tied to measurable KPIs to maintain predictable distribution performance.

Require WMS with real-time inventory, API/EDI connectivity to your ERP/OMS, advanced reporting and analytics, barcode/RFID scanning, and TMS integration for rate shopping and carrier visibility. Confirm onboarding timelines and ongoing technical support.

Confirm availability of bonded warehousing if deferral of duties is required, verify the 3PL’s customs brokerage relationships, documentation workflows, and experience with cross-border clearance. Factor clearance lead times and duty optimization into inventory planning.