Prioritize proximity to Naha Port and Naha Airport for cross-border lanes, reliable trucking and ferry connections for island distribution, WMS integration, bonded or export-capable staging, and a 3PL’s carrier roster to ensure daily sailings or flights for predictable lead times.

A regional 3PL can consolidate outbound loads, use short-sea routes or regional air bridges, stage export shipments to match carrier schedules, and reduce backhaul inefficiencies—lowering landed time and smoothing inventory flows without sacrificing fulfillment SLAs.

Look for pick-and-pack scalability, real-time inventory visibility (WMS/API), returns and reverse logistics handling, multi-temperature storage if required, and flexible labor models to absorb peak eCommerce volumes while meeting B2B palletized shipment requirements.

Evaluate total landed costs (storage + local transport + inter-island handling), labor skillsets and seasonality, carrier density for outbound lanes, and minimum volume requirements. Lower congestion may reduce dwell time, but assess intermodal leg costs to primary markets.

Confirm the 3PL's experience with customs documentation, export declarations, quarantine or inspection procedures for regulated goods, bonded storage options if needed, and relationships with local customs brokers to prevent clearance delays.