Focus on transit times to core customer clusters, WMS compatibility and API integration, consistency of pick/pack accuracy, reverse logistics procedures, and available value-added services such as kitting or light assembly. Verify labor skill levels, seasonal scalability, and measured KPIs (OTIF, pick accuracy, dock-to-invoice days) during site visits and reference checks.

Closer access to ports reduces dray and demurrage exposure; highway and rail links cut inland transit time variability and unit freight rates. Combined, these lower landed cost and improve predictability for replenishment, enabling tighter inventory policies and faster delivery windows for both eCommerce and B2B channels.

Negotiate transparent unit pricing (storage per pallet/SKU, pick/pack per order, handling for returns), minimums, SLA penalties for OTIF and accuracy, surge capacity rates, and billing cadence. Include clauses for technology access, inventory reconciliation cadence, and service credits for systemic failures to protect margin and service consistency.

Request historical peak performance data, seasonal staffing plans, and contingency carrier options. Validate WMS rules for returns processing, inspect reverse flow layouts, run a proof-of-concept or pilot period, check KPIs during peak cycles, and confirm integration testing with your OMS and marketplace platforms before committing to long-term contracts.