Focus on order accuracy, on-time dispatch rate, dock-to-delivery lead times, inventory accuracy, picking productivity (lines per hour), warehouse capacity utilization and system uptime. Also evaluate SLA penalties, claims frequency and the 3PL’s onboarding timeline for integrations and seasonal scaling.

Closer proximity reduces drayage, shortens import lead times and can lower fuel surcharges and last-mile fees. Access to airports benefits time-sensitive parcels while port access improves container flow for high-volume imports or exports, enabling more predictable carrier schedules and consolidated shipping lanes.

Evaluate WMS/OMS integrations, real-time inventory visibility, barcode/RFID capability, scalable racking, temperature control if required, dedicated eCommerce sortation lanes, secure receiving/dock management and carrier API connectivity for automated label generation and tracking.

Negotiate clear SLAs with measurable KPIs and remedies, transparent rate cards (storage, handling, pick/pack, receiving), fuel and surcharge policies, minimum volume terms, insurance and liability limits, exit/transition assistance, and periodic performance reviews with adjustment windows.