Expect services including multi-temperature storage, inventory management with cycle counting, cross-docking for river and road consolidation, pick-and-pack optimized for eCommerce SKUs, reverse logistics, and integrations to national carriers. Providers should also support customs procedures tied to Manaus Free Trade Zone inventory where applicable.

Transit times vary: domestic distribution to northern inland customers often relies on river barge or regional trucking and can be longer than coastal routes, while air freight from Manaus airport shortens lead times for time-sensitive goods. Exporters benefit from Manaus Free Trade Zone processes but should plan for multimodal transfers and seasonal river-level impacts on schedules.

Evaluate landed cost trade-offs including warehouse rates, labor, handling fees for multimodal transfers, and river consolidation charges. Factor in tax incentives and customs facilitation available in the Manaus Free Trade Zone, plus inventory carrying costs driven by climate control needs and service-level agreements tied to OTIF and accuracy metrics.

Prioritize inventory accuracy, order cycle time, OTIF, pick-and-pack productivity, shrinkage rates, and SLA penalties for missed service windows. Contract terms should cover capacity scalability, contingency for seasonal river disruptions, temperature control guarantees, insurance and liability limits, and clear billing for multimodal handling.