Assess SLA performance (pick/pack times, order accuracy), warehouse footprint and racking, integration options (WMS/API), carrier partnerships for regional lanes, and ability to scale labor and storage during peak seasons. Review inbound/outbound cutoffs and value‑added service capabilities such as kitting and returns handling.

Key factors include proximity to the inland container depot and airport, road quality on main corridors to Nairobi and the Uganda border, availability of bonded facilities, average truck turnaround times, and local carrier density. These determine handling fees, dwell time, and freight routing options.

Prioritize KPIs such as order lead time, inventory accuracy, on‑time delivery rate, and returns processing time. Negotiate clear pricing on storage tiers, pick/pack fees, minimums, SLAs with chargebacks, ramp‑up clauses, and technology integration timelines to align performance with business growth.

Use 3PLs offering customs brokerage, bonded storage, and consolidated container services; validate documentation workflows for import/export; leverage carriers with cross‑border permits and established routes; and plan inventory buffers to absorb border delays and seasonal variability.