Assess cost-to-serve by SKU and lane: factor inventory carrying, pick-and-pack labor, and outbound shipping. Evaluate facility throughput, slotting efficiency, WMS compatibility, and carrier integrations. Request historical lead-time data and a modeled TCO for your order profile to compare providers objectively.

Prioritize direct access to primary highways and intermodal links, dock and bay capacity for pallet flows, and scheduled LTL and TL services. Confirm carrier contracts, volume discounts, and appointment systems. Also verify loading geometry and yard management to support high-turn pallet throughput.

Require real-time inventory visibility (WMS with APIs), omnichannel order routing, support for kitting/returns, and SLA-driven SLA reporting. Validate EDI/API integrations, RMA workflows, and scalability to handle peak promotions while maintaining order accuracy.

Build scenario-based models including landed costs, outbound freight by zone, dwell and handling time, and seasonal labor premiums. Incorporate service-risk variables: border delay exposure, carrier capacity constraints, and contingency routing. Run sensitivity analysis to identify breakpoints for carrier mix and inventory placement.

Review detailed fee schedules, minimums, chargeback terms, and inventory reconciliation frequency. Validate KPIs for accuracy, on-time fulfillment, and claims handling. Inspect security, insurance, and contingency plans, and require exit terms that allow inventory repatriation without disproportionate penalties.