Prioritize multimodal connectivity (river and road), inventory visibility (WMS with integration APIs), service-level flexibility (same-day/next-day options), cold-chain capability if needed, and transparent pricing on storage, pick-and-pack, and outbound freight. Also evaluate local carrier relationships and SLA penalties for service failures.

Transit times depend on multimodal routing: river segments can reduce direct road distance but add transfer handling. Local carriers offer regional reach into Amazon basin departments while national carriers cover coastal and inland routes. Choose 3PLs that provide consolidation, scheduled departures, and reliable carrier SLAs to manage lead times and reduce variability.

Review fixed storage rates (per pallet or per sqm), inbound receiving charges, pick-and-pack rates (per SKU and per order), packaging and kitting fees, temperature-control premiums, cross-docking or transloading costs, and typical freight uplift margins. Include onboarding, IT integration, and minimum monthly volume commitments in total cost modeling.

Essential capabilities include a modern WMS with API-based inventory and order synchronization, barcode scanning and lot/serial control, EDI or RESTful integrations with marketplaces and ERPs, real-time reporting dashboards, and exceptions workflows for returns and claims. Confirm support for batch uploads and scheduled data exchanges.

Assess contingency plans for river/road disruptions, insurance coverage, backup power and cold-chain redundancies, labor contingency and peak-season scalability, and contractual SLAs for recovery time objectives. Validate environmental and safety compliance, and request references for disaster-response performance.