Prioritize road and border access, dock door and racking capacity, cold-chain capability if needed, WMS and API integration, SLA guarantees, security and insurance, and scalability for peak seasons. Evaluate carrier density and existing last-mile partnerships to ensure service consistency and predictable lead times.

Use inventory segmentation and zone-based stocking, consolidate shipments for cross-border lanes, leverage parcel zone-skipping with regional hubs, and select 3PLs with established local carrier networks and daily dispatch schedules to compress delivery windows and lower per-shipment costs.

Require WMS with order orchestration, EDI/API connectivity, bonded or customs-cleared options if exporting, temperature-controlled storage where applicable, quality inspection and kitting services, secure inventory control, and evidence of compliance certifications relevant to your product class.

Cross-border trade affects lead times and inventory buffers. Use 3PLs with customs brokerage relationships, bonded warehousing, and experience in tariff classification and pre-clearance to reduce delays. Align inventory placement and documentation practices to minimize dwell time at border crossings and avoid unexpected duties.