Prioritize carrier connectivity (river, road, air), proven handling of your product type (temperature control, hazardous goods), SLA-backed transit-time guarantees, transparent cost-to-serve reporting, and scalability for peak season demand. Also verify local customs/bonded capabilities and provider contingency plans for seasonal access limitations.

Request zone-based rate cards and real historical transit-time data for comparable lanes. Model delivered-cost scenarios that include drayage, multimodal transfers, and dwell time. Ask for carrier scorecards and KPIs (OTIF, dwell, claims) to compare operational performance under current infrastructure constraints.

Essential infrastructure includes bonded and cross-dock capabilities, scalable racked storage, designated returns processing, temperature-controlled spaces if needed, robust WMS integration, and reliable local carrier partnerships to ensure consistent last-mile delivery and reverse logistics.

Conduct site visits, audit safety and compliance records, review disaster-recovery plans, verify insurance and customs documentation, pilot a limited SKU program to measure service levels, and require clear contractual KPIs with penalties for non-performance.