Evaluate throughput (orders/hour), pick accuracy, average order lead time, storage type (ambient/refrigerated), bonded capacity, customs brokerage experience, IT/API integration (WMS/TMS), SLA penalties, and scalability for seasonal peaks. Request references on regional transshipment and documentation for cross-border flows.

Frequency of feeder sailings and air services determines inventory days of supply and safety stock. Confirm carrier rotations, typical ocean transit times, missed-voyage risk, and options for consolidation to reduce per-unit freight. Choose 3PLs that offer carrier-negotiated schedules and contingency routing.

Compare base rent, handling/receiving fees, pick-and-pack charges, storage tiers (racked vs bulk), bonded fees, customs clearance costs, and last-mile uplift to outer islands. Also ask about volume discounts, duty deferral, and any government incentives or tariff facilitation that impact landed cost.

Prioritize 3PLs with multi-channel order routing, inventory visibility across channels, cross-docking for consolidation, and experience with small parcel and LCL shipping. Consider inventory pooling, scheduled barge/feeder services for outer islands, and partners offering returns handling and localized packaging to reduce last-mile cost and transit time.