Prioritize location relative to major road corridors, carrier connectivity, SLA guarantees (OTIF, order cycle time), IT/API integration for inventory and order management, warehouse capacity and scalability, labor skill levels, and cost-to-serve (storage, pick/pack, handling). Also verify customs expertise if cross-border flows are involved.

Transit times and costs depend on road quality, seasonal accessibility, and carrier density. Strong corridor connectivity reduces less-than-truckload consolidation needs and lowers per-unit freight costs; weaker links increase reliance on consolidation, raise lead times, and require contingency inventory buffers to maintain service levels.

Confirm bonded-warehouse status, customs brokerage experience, cold-chain infrastructure (if needed), secure gated facilities, inventory accuracy measures (cycle counts, WMS), and any industry-specific certifications relevant to your goods (e.g., pharmaceutical cold-chain standards).

Negotiate clear rate cards for storage tiers, per-pallet and per-order pick/pack, handling and returns, and minimums. Tie fees to KPIs such as OTIF, order cycle time, inventory accuracy, and damage rates; include chargeback rules and cadence for rate reviews tied to volume thresholds.