Focus on port and yard access (container handling capacity), proximity to bonded/freeport zones, road transit times to major demand centers, available cross-dock and staging space, and on-site customs clearance support. Also validate carrier integrations (trucking, feeder shipping, courier APIs) and uptime for critical equipment like forklifts and cold rooms.

Bonded facilities and Freeport procedures can defer duties until goods leave the zone, enable easier re-export, and reduce immediate cash outflow. For retailers this lowers inventory carrying cost and simplifies assembly or kitting before customs release. Confirm a 3PL's experience with import documentation, bonded inventory accounting, and audit-ready records.

Require measurable KPIs: order accuracy, on-time shipment rate, dwell time, pick-and-pack productivity, and inventory accuracy. Assess capabilities such as batch picking, multi-SKU kitting, returns processing, value-added services, and real-time WMS/API connectivity for OMS/carrier sync to support fast eCommerce cycles.

Compare landed cost (ocean + inland), last-mile transit times, storage rate per pallet/cbm, labor productivity, and frequency of shipments. Include indirect costs: inventory days, return rates, customs delays, and variability in trucking lead times. Run a cost-to-serve model by SKU to capture volumetric and handling differences rather than relying on headline warehouse rent alone.