Evaluate port and road proximity, yard and dock capacity, racking and HVAC capabilities, workforce skills and shift patterns, IT/WMS integration and EDI support, customs clearance experience, insurance and compliance, and demonstrated carrier relationships to ensure predictable lead times and scalable throughput.

Proximity to coastal ports and quality of feeder roads determine inbound dwell and drayage costs; intermodal options affect FCL/LTL economics; reliable local carriers reduce last-mile variability. Use transit-time mapping and zone-based pricing to model landed cost and SLA impact.

Negotiate order-to-ship lead time, on-time-in-full (OTIF), order accuracy, inventory accuracy and cycle count cadence, dock-to-stock times, returns processing SLA, deduction resolution timelines, and penalties or credits tied to measurable KPIs.

Look for racked ambient storage, bulk/pallet positions, temperature-controlled zones if required, cross-dock areas, scalable labor and pick modules, kitting and light assembly, returns and refurbishment workflows, and packaging or labeling services to manage peak seasons and omni-channel complexity.