Prioritize location relative to demand and carriers, dock and staging capacity, average throughput and SLA performance, WMS/ERP integration and reporting, returns handling and value-added services, and workforce flexibility for peak periods.

Expect a combination of storage (per pallet or per cubic metre), pick-and-pack fees, inbound/outbound handling, slotting and replenishment charges, fuel or carrier surcharges and fees for value-added services. Minimums and billing intervals (daily/weekly) also affect unit economics.

Road transit ranges: Hyderabad and Chennai often 1–2 days, Mumbai 2–3 days and Delhi 3–4 days depending on route and cargo. Air freight and express couriers reduce transit to same-day or overnight for time-sensitive SKUs; multimodal solutions are common for cost-optimization.

Verify GST-compliant invoicing, fire and safety certifications, secure access controls, inventory accuracy guarantees, WMS capabilities, cold-chain certification if needed, and any sector-specific licenses (food, pharma). Ask for audit, insurance and cyber-security controls for IT integrations.

Assess available surge capacity (flex space and temporary racking), labor pool access, automation and throughput metrics, contingency plans for carrier constraints, test integrations and SLAs for peak fulfillment windows, and historical performance during prior peak seasons.