Selecting a third-party logistics (3PL) provider is more than a routine shipping choice. It's a strategic decision that can influence your entire supply chain. The right partner will simplify daily shipping, improve operational efficiency and free up your team to focus on growth instead of administrative tasks.
But not all 3PLs are created equal. Their expertise, technology and level of support can vary dramatically. Fortunately, knowing which questions to ask can make all the difference. Evaluating potential providers takes more than comparing rates; it's about uncovering their real capabilities and understanding how they'll move your business forward.
As a leading 3PL provider and a part of WWEX Group, GlobalTranz helps businesses simplify the complex world of shipping and logistics. Based on decades of experience, we've compiled key questions to ask 3PL providers to help you identify a partner who can deliver results — not just promises. Ever found yourself stumped on what to ask before hiring a 3PL? This guide is for you!
What To Ask a Logistics Provider About Their History of Success
How long have you been in business? How have you helped companies like mine succeed with your logistics services?
Do you really want to bet your company's future on unproven logistics services? Make sure your 3PL service provider has a proven track record of industry success and provides concrete examples that show it. Numbers are important (years in business, number of services) but are often meaningless without context. A logistics provider should tell you how they've grown through the years and helped customers grow as well. Be sure to ask follow-up questions and inquire about industry awards that point to recognition of shipping excellence.
What's your current customer mix in terms of business size and shipping volume?
You may be looking at 3PL providers because your business has outgrown your own in-house logistics capacity or your current 3PL's capabilities. But there's no use making a big move before knowing if your prospective provider can handle your current capacity while keeping up with you as you grow. Find out if the 3PL serves businesses of your size and larger, and what their customers' shipping volume tends to be.
Can I contact one of your customers for a reference?
Ask about current customers and request logistics case studies that indicate customer success. Most importantly, make it clear you would like to speak to a current customer. Sure, they will undoubtedly point you in the direction of a happy and successful one. But at least you'll know one exists, and the interaction will allow you to ask them questions of your own.
What makes you different than the other logistics service providers out there?
If you're researching prospective providers, you've most likely seen how many 3PLs are out there. Their levels of service and offerings can vary widely, so it's important to ask about differentiators and why they are unique. You could ask them to name a well-known competitor and explain the differences.
Listen closely when they're explaining their business model for signs that they might actually be a freight broker vs. a 3PL provider. A broker's role is typically more limited, facilitating arrangements between carriers and shippers, so they're better for infrequent shipping needs. A full-service 3PL service provider offers everything a freight broker does, plus dedicated account support, negotiated rates, sophisticated shipping technology, a wide range of shipping services — and much more.
Can I feel confident that you'll be around five or 10 years from now?
No one wants the hassle of constantly switching 3PL companies. Ask about investments, future goals, mentions in the media and why they think they will be around in the long term. If you've read something troubling about them, bring it up. They should be transparent about it, otherwise they may be hiding something.
A long history of stability and success — such as GlobalTranz and its decades of experience — is a good indicator of longevity and the ability to adapt to a rapidly changing industry landscape.
Questions for 3PLs About Their Carrier Network
Can you tell me about the freight carriers that you work with?
A 3PL is only as good as the carriers it partners with, and only as strong as the breadth of its carrier network. That's why it's important to pick one that has strong relationships with a solid network of carrier partners. For context, GlobalTranz has a network of more than 45,000 truckload (TL) and 75+ less-than-truckload (LTL) carriers it works with to ensure you get top rates and space on trucks when capacity is tight.
What is your process for vetting the carriers you work with?
An industry-leading 3PL service provider should demonstrate good judgment regarding carrier selection. A logistics provider may have a large network of carriers for freight services, but are they thoroughly vetted? That's why it's important to ask the 3PL about their process for selecting carriers. They should provide information about background checks, technology requirements and performance benchmarks. Just as important, they should be able to tell you how they continually monitor carrier success — and what happens when carriers fail to deliver, literally and figuratively.
What freight equipment can your carriers provide?
Shipping is more complex than loading boxes or pallets on a truck. That's particularly true when you need special equipment for special shipments. For example, look for companies that can provide you with flatbed, dry van, partial and refrigerated services, among other solutions. Ask the 3PL company about trucking equipment and request a list of solutions that you may require now or in the future.
Questions To Ask About Shipping Services and Solutions
What kind of freight services do you offer your customers?
A well-rounded 3PL provider should be able to accommodate a range of needs, so ask prospects to provide details about their suite of freight solutions. Ideally they offer a full range of TL and LTL freight shipping services, including expedited services and flexible options like partial truckload (PTL) and volume LTL. They should also offer — and speak with authority about — intermodal and multimodal, hazmat, tradeshow, refrigerated, white glove and other specialty services.
How can you support my business's international shipping?
In an increasingly global economy, it's important that you have options to help you ship internationally. In fact, exporters are less likely to go out of business than non-exporters, according to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. Whether your business already ships internationally or you're planning to expand your presence globally in the future, your 3PL service provider must offer international shipping options, and understand the complexities of global shipping.
What are your reverse logistics offerings like?
Every 3PL provider should offer a clear plan for reverse logistics. For many businesses — especially in e-commerce and other consumer-driven industries — an effective returns process is essential to recapturing value from returned products. Whether items are restocked, resold or recycled, your 3PL should be able to explain exactly how they help you build a comprehensive reverse logistics strategy that maximizes recovery and efficiency.
Questions To Ask About Shipping Technology
How does your 3PL company utilize technology?
We're in an age of exponentially fast developments in technology, touching every industry — and shipping and logistics are no exception. A 3PL won't be able to remain competitive — and give their customers what they need to compete in their industries — without a strong technology infrastructure and a plan to harness new and emerging advancements.
That's why GlobalTranz offers technology solutions that make your job easier and automate tasks for reliability and consistency. Ask the 3PL provider for a demo of their technology solutions and where they see logistics-related technology going in the near future (such as AI in shipping).
Do you provide customers with access to a transportation management system (TMS)?
Along with industry expertise, a TMS is the bedrock of any successful shipping operation. It streamlines everyday shipping tasks, enabling you to select carriers, choose insurance, create bills of lading (BOLs), generate shipping labels, resolve shipping issues, get quotes, set up email notifications, create customized reports and more.
Can you integrate with my ERP system or other internal technology platforms?
If your shipping ERP platform is performing well, you shouldn't need to abandon it when you engage with a 3PL — and you shouldn't have to manage multiple siloed technologies. A 3PL service provider should be able to connect most common ERPs to their TMS through an integrated API. This allows information to flow freely and accurately between shipping platforms, so you can conduct business with a comprehensive view of your operations.
Do you offer support on the technology you provide?
The most advanced technology in the world isn't going to be effective if users aren't comfortable with it and don't know how to fully tap into its potential. We can't speak for all 3PL providers, but GlobalTranz provides innovative technology and supports you with resources after implementation. That includes training, maintenance, updates and ongoing support to your team for any technology issues or disruptions.
Not all 3PL companies operate this way, so it's important to ask questions about their short- and long-term technology support. (If you're able to talk to one of their current customers, asking them to gauge their experience in this area could be extremely telling.) These considerations belong on any 3PL checklist when looking for a shipping partner.
Questions To Ask About Customer and Logistics Support
How will you support my team when things don't go as planned?
All shippers will experience challenges both large and small at some point. Top 3PL service providers should be there for you and provide ongoing support — in the short- and long-term. That includes providing solutions for common challenges like unexpected accessorial fees and claims processing, plus more acute concerns such as lost shipments, major delays and billing/invoice discrepancies.
If a logistics service provider truly considers itself your partner, then your challenges become their challenges, and they should respond accordingly. Ask your prospective 3PL provider to describe specific scenarios where they supported a customer through a super tough situation.
Can I get logistics services support any time I need it?
Superior customer support is only valuable if it's available when you need it. Ask 3PL providers when support is available — days, nights, weekends, holidays — and look for one that offers the dedicated support your staff requires. As you know, shipping challenges can happen at any time and keeping your customers and business partners happy means resolving issues outside the typical 9–5 workday.
What kind of long-term support and strategy services do you offer?
A top 3PL provider should be there for their customers not only during everyday operations but when it comes to longer-term planning and bigger-picture strategic thinking. That's why it's important that you select a logistics service provider that can help develop a shipping and logistics strategy encompassing every aspect of your company's shipping needs.
At GlobalTranz, we'll help you review your shipment volumes, carrier selection and budgetary considerations, and help you set clear objectives for achieving your logistics goals for both your inbound and outbound supply chain.
How knowledgeable are you on shipping trends and issues?
3PL providers don't stay around too long if they're not up to date and don't have their finger on the pulse of the shipping industry. Off the top of their head, they should be able to name current trends, along with yearly challenges like peak season and weather disruptions. They should also understand shifting governmental regulations, labor shortages, capacity issues, the significance of tariffs to U.S. businesses (and how to mitigate their impact) and more.
Tell me again: Why you?
As a final step, ask your potential 3PL to summarize their value proposition. A strong logistics provider should be able to deliver a clear, confident 30-second elevator pitch that speaks directly to your needs. More importantly, they should demonstrate how their services address the questions you've asked and outline personalized solutions for your specific challenges. This final question helps you gauge whether the 3PL truly understands your business — and whether they're the right partner for the job.
3PL Capabilities & Questions Checklist
Here's your cheat sheet on how to choose a 3PL provider.
| Category | Sample Questions | What to Look For |
| 3PL History & Experience | How long have you been in business? What makes you different? |
Proven success, strong customer references, and long-term stability. |
| Carrier Network | Who are your carrier partners? How do you vet them? |
Large, vetted network; consistent performance; access to specialized equipment. |
| Shipping Services & Solutions | What freight services do you offer? Do you provide international or reverse logistics support? |
Full freight range; cross-border capabilities; customized solutions. |
| Technology & Integration | Do you offer a TMS? Can you integrate with my ERP? |
Streamlined systems, automation tools, data visibility, and hands-on support. |
| Customer Support & Strategy | Who supports my account? How do you handle issues or claims? |
Dedicated account teams, responsive service, proactive logistics planning. |
Partner with GlobalTranz for a More Resilient Supply Chain
GlobalTranz has helped shippers of all sizes navigate freight shipping with confidence. As a leading national 3PL, we combine trusted expertise with flexible services tailored to your business growth.
With GlobalTranz, you get:
- Access to 75+ LTL and 45,000+ TL carriers
- Affordable, negotiated rates backed by our buying power
- Custom shipping strategies designed for your unique needs
- Reliable support and real-time tracking tools
When disruption strikes, we help you pivot. When opportunity knocks, we help you scale. That's the power of a well-supported 3PL supply chain.
Ready to strengthen your supply chain resilience?
Let's build a plan that works for your business — no matter what comes next. Contact GlobalTranz today for a free, customized shipping consultation. We're here to help you ship smarter, respond faster and grow stronger.