Focus on multimodal access (road + river), bonded capacity, racking and ceiling heights, throughput metrics (orders/hour), and carrier integrations. Evaluate SLA options for same-day/next-day fulfillment, peak-season scalability, and local labor skill sets to control costs and service reliability.

Bonded facilities allow deferred duties and enable consolidation, reducing immediate cash outflow and per-unit landed cost. They support value-added services (kitting, labeling) near customs points so retailers can optimize inventory turns and postpone duty payment until stock is released for domestic sale.

Assess 3PL carrier partner diversity, cross-border paperwork expertise, transit time guarantees, and last-mile density in target cities. Check whether providers offer integrated tracking, returns handling, and SLAs calibrated for both B2B pallet moves and eCommerce parcel flows.

Key cost drivers: storage per pallet/month, pick/pack labor rates, inbound/outbound handling, and accessorial fees. Benchmark KPIs: order accuracy, on-time shipment rate, pick velocity, inventory days on hand, and cost per order to ensure the 3PL meets service and margin targets.