Assess dock and port access, bonded or customs facilitation, racking and cold-storage capacity, WMS and EDI/API integration, cross-dock capability, and documented SLAs for pick/pack, lead times, and returns. Confirm scalability for seasonal peaks and visibility tools for real-time inventory control.

Carrier schedules, feeder frequency, and inter-island ferry links directly affect transit windows and consolidation opportunities. Less frequent sailings increase buffer inventory and potential demurrage; higher feeder frequency enables lower safety stock and better per-unit shipping economics.

Negotiate clear pick/pack and storage rate tiers, minimum volume clauses, inbound receiving charges, demurrage and detention exposure, fuel surcharges, and billing cadence. Define SLA credits, inventory reconciliation timing, and termination notice to avoid unexpected cost escalation.

Track OTIF (on-time, in-full), order cycle time, inventory accuracy, picking accuracy, returns processing time, and on-time carrier handoffs. Require regular reporting cadence and root-cause analysis for exceptions to ensure continuous improvement and SLA compliance.