Prioritize dock capacity and trailer access, racking and cubic utilization, cross-dock throughput, carrier connectivity, customs and export support, labor skill mix and shift patterns, WMS capabilities and API access, SLA definitions for lead times, returns processing, and pricing transparency for pallet, pick-and-pack, and storage fees.

Proximity to main roads and feeder ports reduces drayage and linehaul time, improving carrier scheduling and lowering fuel and time-in-transit costs. Facilities near port or highway nodes shorten pickup windows, reduce detention risk, and lower landed cost through reduced multimodal transfers and faster route cycles.

Require a modern WMS with real-time inventory, API or EDI integrations for order sync, reporting dashboards, batch and serial tracking for traceability, carrier rate-shopping or TMS hooks, and transparent billing interfaces. These reduce latency, improve order accuracy, and support seamless marketplace and ERP connectivity.

Request standardized quotes with line-item fees, ask for recent throughput metrics and reference customers, review SLA definitions and penalty clauses, audit system access (WMS/API sandboxes), and conduct a short operational pilot to validate capacity, lead times, and reporting before signing long-term agreements.