Assess port depth and terminal handling, airport freighter access, RO‑RO and feeder schedules, and road connectivity to key municipal centers. Verify local carrier integrations for sea, air, and trucking lanes, plus contingency routing for weather‑related disruptions.

Lower land and labor costs can reduce fixed warehousing expenses, enabling flexible lease terms or shared‑space models. Negotiate SLAs that reflect handling mix, peak season surcharges, and volume tiers to align cost with projected order velocity.

Confirm the 3PL’s experience with import/export documentation, bonded storage (if needed), local customs brokers, and any provincial permits. Ensure they provide compliance checks, manifest accuracy, and EDI or portal access for clearance tracking.

Require measurable KPIs: order accuracy, on‑time dispatch, dock-to-door transit times, pick/pack throughput, and return processing time. Validate cold‑chain validation (if needed), inventory visibility (WMS/API), and capacity scaling plans for seasonal demand.