Evaluate measurable KPIs: transit time to key markets, SLA performance, inventory visibility (WMS/API), carrier access and negotiated rates, labor reliability, and the 3PL's experience with your product profile. Model cost-to-serve including storage, pick/pack, inbound receiving, and return handling to compare quotes on an apples-to-apples basis.

Closer proximity shortens drayage and road transit, reduces fuel surcharges, and expands carrier choices (ocean feeders, intermodal rail, regional LTL and TL). That improves predictability, lowers landed cost, and supports faster door-to-door transit — especially important for import-reliant SKUs and time-sensitive eCommerce promises.

Require kitting and light assembly, lot and batch traceability, temperature control where needed, omnichannel order routing, returns processing with inspection and refurbishment, and integration-ready WMS with APIs for order, inventory, and carrier tracking to maintain consistent CX across channels.

Build a cost-to-serve model that includes fixed and variable fees (storage, picks, pack, inbound receiving, pallets, returns, minimums), projected order profiles, and service penalties. Overlay service metrics—OTIF, accuracy, transit times—and stress-test for peak season volumes to identify the optimal balance of cost and operational risk.