Prioritize dock and bay configuration, slotting and racking systems, inventory management integration (WMS + API), scalability for peak seasons, and evidence of carrier connectivity. Also assess SLA adherence, KPIs for order accuracy and lead-time, and ability to manage reverse logistics and kitting services within your cost-to-serve targets.

Review the 3PL’s carrier contracts and lane coverage, proximity to major highways and freight corridors, availability of multimodal options (rail/truck), cross-dock capabilities, and real-time shipment visibility. Validate typical transit times for target ZIP clusters and ask for historical on-time delivery metrics by lane.

Key contributors are inbound receiving and handling fees, storage per-pallet or per-cubic-meter, pick-and-pack pricing, dimensional weight and parcel rates, cross-docking or consolidation charges, and reverse logistics costs. Include transport lane pricing and duty/tariff handling when projecting landed cost.

Look for a modern WMS with real-time API connectivity, standardized EDI/JSON interfaces, inventory and order synchronization, event-based tracking, and reporting dashboards. Check support for marketplace integrations, batch processing for large B2B orders, and customizable alerts to maintain SLAs as volumes scale.