Prioritize proximity to primary transport corridors and customs nodes, service-level agreements, carrier density, warehouse capabilities (racking, climate control, bonded status), labor skill and availability, and systems integration (WMS/OMS/API) to ensure predictable lead times and scalable fulfillment.

Request carrier coverage maps, historical transit-time metrics, pickup and dispatch frequency, on-time delivery rates, and exceptions data. Validate connectivity to domestic and regional carriers, and ensure the 3PL supports performance reporting and SLA penalties aligned to your routing needs.

Expect line items for inbound receiving, storage (per pallet or cubic meter), pick-and-pack, outbound handling, return processing, and value-added services. Negotiate minimums, seasonal uplifts, billing cadence, fuel and carrier surcharges, SLA credits, and termination/scale clauses to control total landed cost.

A modern WMS with APIs, EDI/OMS links, real-time inventory, barcode scanning and exception workflows reduces errors, accelerates throughput, and enables accurate reporting. Confirm integration depth, reporting cadence, and access to operational dashboards to support omnichannel visibility and decision-making.