Evaluate facility location relative to your customer base and main carriers, available racking and automation, SLA performance (picks per hour, lead times), inventory security and compliance, and transparent pricing (storage, handling, value-added services). Also review carrier integrations and reporting capabilities to ensure operational alignment with your KPIs.

Closer proximity to main highways and rail spurs reduces road miles and handling steps, lowering transit time and freight cost. Direct carrier access supports better routing and consolidation, while reduced drayage and shorter last-mile runs decrease landed cost and improve delivery predictability for both domestic and cross-border consignments.

Key cost components include base storage (per pallet or cubic meter), throughput fees (receiving, picking, packing), special handling, and value-added services. Optimize costs by negotiating tiered storage rates, consolidating SKUs, using seasonal contracts, and aligning SLAs to realistic throughput projections to avoid premium surcharges.

Confirm the 3PL’s ability to scale footprint and labor seasonally, review WMS and TMS integrations for real-time inventory and order routing, check ecommerce platform connectors, and validate compliance controls for security, hazardous goods, and customs documentation to support omnichannel fulfillment growth.