Prioritize system interoperability (WMS/ERP APIs), pick‑pack accuracy, scalable pick‑waves, slotting and capacity planning, returns handling, and value‑added services (kitting, labeling). Verify peak season scalability, SLA penalties, and real carrier connectivity to your domestic and cross‑border lanes.

Locating in Coimbra reduces overland transit to Lisbon and Porto thanks to A1/A23 access, lowering road TL/LTL costs and enabling faster next‑day shipment windows across central Portugal. Proximity to rail and ports also supports consolidated ocean exports to Europe and North Africa, improving per‑unit freight economics.

Negotiate clear volume tiers, dwell and handling rates, minimum term commitments, and indexation for utilities. Include clauses for seasonal capacity, inbound appointment windows, IT integration timelines, chargeback tolerances, and transparent billing for value‑added operations to control total landed warehousing cost.

Expect regional TL/LTL road networks, scheduled rail links toward Porto/Lisbon corridors, and feeder access to major ports (Leixões, Sines, Lisbon). 3PLs commonly provide consolidated ocean exports, cross‑docking for trans‑shipment, and partnerships with parcel carriers for final‑mile across Iberia and into Western Europe.

Include order accuracy, OTIF delivery, dock‑to‑stock time, inventory accuracy, pick‑cycle time, returns processing time, and SLA‑linked penalties or credits. Require regular reporting cadence, root‑cause analysis for breaches, and agreed onboarding milestones for systems and processes.