Prioritize facilities with modern racking and WMS integration, dock and cross-dock capacity, bonded yard availability, and proven carrier SLAs to the Port of Colombo and regional hubs. Evaluate local last-mile networks, container deconsolidation capabilities, and customs brokerage experience to minimize dwell time and improve order cycle consistency.

Compare per-pallet and per-sqm storage rates, labour productivity (pick/hr), inbound/outbound handling fees, and fuel-related last-mile surcharges. Use landed-cost scenarios that combine storage days, pick-pack rates, average order lines, and transport lane costs to model total cost-to-serve for each SKU.

Include KPIs for on-time order fulfillment, picking accuracy, inventory accuracy, dock-to-delivery lead times, and return processing SLAs. Specify escalation processes, inventory reconciliation frequency, and penalties or credits tied to sustained SLA deviations to protect omnichannel performance.

Confirm the 3PL’s experience with bonded handling, customs clearance timelines at the Port of Colombo, documentation protocols, and familiarity with local tariffs and excise where applicable. Ensure they can coordinate pre-clearance, quarantines if required, and provide transparent duty and tax reporting to avoid delays.