Prioritize reliable multimodal links (regional air, river transload, and seasonal road access), dock and pallet‑handling capacity, cold storage if needed, bonded or customs facilitation, and a WMS with real‑time inventory visibility. Confirm transload options and contingency routing to mitigate seasonal access disruptions.

Seasonal windows can raise transport rates and require inventory prepositioning or buffer stock, increasing carrying costs. Mitigation strategies include consolidated inbound shipments, cross‑dock programs, and negotiated seasonal carrier contracts to stabilize OTIF performance and reduce emergency freight spend.

Conduct on-site assessments, review WMS and EDI capabilities, validate contingency and continuity plans for seasonal closures, check labor availability and security, examine fuel and carrier access, and obtain references for similar seasonal or northern distribution programs.