Assess frequency and reliability of feeder and liner services, proximity to air gateways and main roads, cross-dock capabilities, and existing carrier partnerships. Prioritize providers that demonstrate consistent transit times, documented carrier SLAs, and multimodal routing options to reduce variability in delivery windows.

Require WMS integration, real-time inventory visibility, scalable pick-and-pack workflows, SKU slotting for velocity, multi-temperature storage where needed, returns management, and KPI reporting. Confirm API connectivity for order flow, shipment tracking and analytics to support omnichannel performance goals.

Total landed cost analysis should include rent, labor rates, handling fees, and any import/export processing costs. Balance inventory placement between density and proximity to demand; using Mangrove Cay for staging can lower transport legs but requires modelling of tariffs, cycle time and safety stock impacts to validate savings.

Negotiate clear SLAs for throughput, order accuracy, and lead times; define liability and insurance limits; require audit and reporting rights; set contingency plans for capacity spikes and disaster recovery; and confirm technology integration, data ownership, and exit terms to protect continuity and visibility.