Assess connectivity to sea and air nodes, demonstrated carrier partnerships, inventory visibility (WMS/API), SLA performance for pick/pack and transit times, value‑added services (kitting, cross‑docking, returns), and the partner’s capacity to scale during peak seasons.

Limited developable land tends to raise rent and favor multi‑story or high‑density storage. That can increase handling complexity but also encourages 3PLs to invest in automation and tighter slotting, which can improve throughput and offset higher occupancy costs through efficiency gains.

Require established relationships with ocean and air carriers, demonstrated experience in customs clearance, bonded storage options where available, electronic manifesting, and transparent lead‑time reporting. Confirm the 3PL’s procedures for duties, documentation, and exception handling.

Look for real‑time WMS access, EDI/API integrations with marketplaces and carriers, configurable reporting, inventory reconciliation tools, and support for order orchestration across channels. These features reduce stockouts, speed order cycle times, and improve carrier routing decisions.

Mitigate risk by negotiating clear SLAs, dual‑sourcing options or contingency warehousing, regular performance reviews, and defined disaster recovery procedures. Ensure the 3PL offers scalable space and personnel during peaks and documented escalation paths for service interruptions.