Evaluate location relative to highways and demand clusters, warehouse design (racking, clear height), IT systems (WMS, real-time inventory), labor availability and productivity, SLA performance metrics, returns handling, and value-added service capabilities such as kitting and cold-chain.

Assam’s connectivity to national highways, developing inland depot links, river transport on the Brahmaputra, and regional air links shortens inland transit to eastern hubs and supports cross-border flows. Carrier density and multimodal options reduce single-leg reliance and can lower transit variability for B2B and retail lanes.

Common cost drivers include pallet/CBM storage rates, pick-and-pack fees, inbound/outbound handling, minimum monthly volume commitments, peak-season surcharges, labour-related charges, and value-added services. Request activity-based pricing and transparent SLA-linked rebates to control total cost-per-order.

Confirm GST registration and local statutory compliance, necessary industry permits (FSSAI for food, pharma approvals), temperature-monitoring and calibrated HVAC systems for cold-chain, real-time telemetry, and quality certifications such as ISO or GDP where applicable to your product class.