Focus on facility specifications (clear height, racking, docks), cold chain capability if needed, WMS/TMS integration, inbound/outbound lane coverage, SLAs for order accuracy and lead time, security and insurance, and scalability for seasonal peaks. Also vet carrier relationships and reporting/KPI transparency.

Expect reduced last-mile transit to northern Guangdong and central Pearl River Delta customers and generally lower facility costs vs. central urban warehouses. Carrier access to regional express and freight networks remains strong, which can lower landed cost per order through shorter domestic legs and improved line-haul utilization.

Require KPIs for on-time shipment rate, order accuracy, inventory accuracy, dock-to-stock days, average picking rate, return processing time, and cost-per-order. Include penalties or credits for missed SLAs and regular operational reviews to align on continuous improvement.

Negotiate flexible space and labor clauses, reserve temporary racking or overflow zones, use cross-dock and pre-pack strategies to shorten storage time, consolidate inventory in multi-tenant facilities, and implement demand forecasting with the 3PL to provision seasonal headcount and equipment.