Evaluate port terminal capacity and container handling, access to bonded or temporary storage, terminal-to-warehouse drayage options, daily trucking windows to regional hubs, carrier contracts for LTL/FTL lanes, and the provider's carrier integrations (EDI/API) to streamline order flows and visibility.

Model landed cost vs. current distribution, compare zone-based transit times to primary customer clusters, measure reductions in cross-dock moves, and factor inventory carrying costs. Run sample SKU flows and SLA scenarios to quantify savings and delivery-window improvements.

Confirm in-house customs brokerage or trusted partners, bonded warehousing options, experience with export declarations and HS code classification, capacity for inspections and certifications, and established procedures for duty drawback and temporary import regimes.

Negotiate measurable SLAs for order cycle time, pick-and-pack accuracy, inventory accuracy, on-time dispatch, and dock-to-stock timelines. Require regular performance reports, root-cause analyses for failures, defined chargeback rules, and escalation paths for capacity or carrier disruptions.