How to choose a cross-border 3PL: a checklist from a transport veteran
By Erick Plante · Updated October 16, 2026
After 35 years in transportation, customs and distribution, here is the short list of questions I would want answered in writing before moving inventory to a 3PL. — Erick Plante
1. Network and border
- Which building will hold my stock, and which will ship to each of my customer regions?
- If they have sites on both sides of the border: how is stock transferred, how often, and who files the customs entry?
- Do they work with a licensed customs broker, or expect me to bring one?
2. Fees, in writing
- Onboarding, receiving (per pallet, carton or hour), storage (per pallet, bin or cubic foot), pick & pack, packaging, returns, account minimums.
- How postage is billed — their negotiated rates or mine — and any markup.
- Peak-season surcharges and annual increases.
3. Technology
- Native integration with my store and marketplaces (Shopify, Amazon, Walmart…), and how tracking flows back.
- Real-time inventory, lot/expiry tracking if I need it, and reporting I can export.
4. Service levels
- Order cut-off time, same-day ship percentage, accuracy guarantee and what happens when they miss it.
- Who my day-to-day contact is, and in which language.
5. Exit terms
- Contract length, notice period, and the cost and timing to get my inventory out.
- Liability for loss or damage in the warehouse and in transit — and the limits. Carrier liability limits are often lower than merchants expect; see CarrierLimits.
Then compare providers side by side in the directory, or send your requirements for a short list.