Prioritize facility layout and racked capacity, dock door count and cross-dock capability, temperature control where required, WMS/ERP integrations and API access, documented SLAs for pick/pack and lead times, scalability for peak seasons, security and bonded options, and proof of inventory accuracy and on-time delivery metrics.

Expect storage charges (per pallet or cubic meter), receiving and putaway fees, pick/pack per order or per line rates, outbound freight passthroughs, monthly minimums, value-added service fees (kitting, labeling), accessorials and fuel surcharges. Negotiate volume tiers, billing cycles, and performance-based rebates to align unit economics.

Transit reliability depends on proximity to primary highways, availability of scheduled line-hauls, and access to rail or port intermodal points. Strong carrier density reduces routing constraints and spot premiums; dedicated cross-dock and consolidation services reduce dwell and improve daily cutoffs for faster final-mile delivery.

Require order accuracy percentage, on-time shipment rate, pick productivity (lines/hour), dock-to-stock cycle time, inventory accuracy, return-to-stock turnaround, SLA targets with remedies, and transparent reporting. Also insist on WMS access or real-time EDI/API connectivity and root-cause analytics for exceptions.