Prioritize transit time to core customer zones, available dock capacity, warehouse management system compatibility, SLA performance history, and the 3PL’s experience with your channel (eCommerce, B2B, omnichannel). Also evaluate flexibility for seasonal peaks, inventory accuracy metrics, and the provider’s carrier portfolio for last-mile reliability.

Location near major trunk roads and distribution hubs reduces line-haul and last-mile mileage, lowering fuel and time-dependent costs. Strong carrier density supports competitive parcel rates and multiple service levels, enabling cost-to-serve segmentation by SKU or channel and faster cut-off times for same- and next-day deliveries.

Confirm available racking types, mezzanine space, dedicated returns processing, reverse-logistics workflows, ondemand pick/pack staffing, and integration options for order management and carrier plugins. Scalability depends on both physical capacity and the 3PL’s ability to ramp labor and automation during peak cycles.

Primary drivers are space (rent or storage per pallet), handling labor, pick/pack complexity, inbound/outbound shipment density, and transport miles. Optimize by consolidating SKUs, improving order profiles for zone skipping, using carrier selection rules, and negotiating tiered rates tied to volume or long-term commitments.