How to choose a 3PL in Mexico: a checklist for ecommerce, marketplace and retail

Choosing a 3PL directly impacts your customer’s experience. A good partner scales with you; a bad one costs you sales and reputation. Use this checklist before signing.

Questions to ask before signing

Bring these to the table with any provider:

• SLA: what processing and dispatch times do they guarantee in writing?
• Inventory accuracy: how do they measure and report it?
• Location: where do they ship from and what nationwide coverage do they have?
• Integrations: do they connect with your store and marketplaces with no manual work?
• Experience by channel: do they already operate for ecommerce, marketplace and retail?
• Peak season: how do they absorb Hot Sale, Buen Fin and Christmas peaks?
• Returns: do they handle reverse logistics, and how?
• Reporting: do they give you real-time visibility or do you work blind?
• Certifications: are their processes certified (ISO 9001)?

Typical mistakes when comparing providers

Don’t compare only the price per order: a low rate with low accuracy gets very expensive in reships and lost customers. Don’t settle for whoever promises without understanding your volume, your SKUs and your channels. And be wary of anyone who won’t let you see your inventory in real time.

The litmus test

A serious operator offers you a diagnosis of your operation before closing: they understand your case, tell you how they’d run it and what results to expect. If they want to sign you without diagnosing, that’s a red flag.