Evaluate providers on four criteria: lead times to primary markets, peak-season staffing and scalability, cold-chain and returns handling, and visibility (WMS/real-time tracking). Also review contingency plans for weather disruptions and cross-dock capabilities to avoid inventory stagnation.

Prioritize port and feeder service frequency, secure cold storage if required, bonded/customs services, and reliable road links for last-mile. Confirm 3PL carrier contracts for regular sailings and air charters during peak demand to maintain predictable transit windows.

Specify KPIs for on-time dispatch, order accuracy, inventory accuracy, and dock-to-door transit times. Contractually include SLA credits, minimum staffing commitments for peaks, inventory reconciliation cadence, and defined force majeure procedures for Arctic weather events.

Use a 3PL for multi-client consolidation, localized returns processing, and cross-docking to lower inventory carrying costs and shorten delivery distances. Implement zone-skipping with reliable carriers and leverage the 3PL’s local carrier contracts to reduce per-parcel rates while monitoring customer-facing SLA performance.