Evaluate carrier connectivity, dock and yard capacity, available racked storage, WMS functionality and API capability, labor availability and peak-season scalability, value-added services (kitting, returns), and documented SLAs for pick accuracy, order cycle time and OTIF. Confirm local cost benchmarks for storage, handling and throughput.

Location impacts last-mile by determining route distance, delivery frequency and zone-based rates. Proximity to major highways and consolidation hubs in Betsiboka reduces LTL costs and transit variability, while ease of access to export collection points lowers cross-border handling and drayage fees.

Negotiate clear KPIs for pick-and-pack accuracy, order lead time, cut-off times, OTIF, inventory accuracy, return processing times and chargeback thresholds. Include contingency clauses for labor shortfalls and defined penalties or remediation steps for SLA breaches during peak volumes.

Many 3PLs in the region provide temperature-controlled zones, kitting and light assembly, returns processing and WMS integrations with marketplaces. Verify certifications, available cubic meters for cold storage, integration timelines and any incremental fees for telemetry or compliance reporting.

Compare fixed vs variable costs: per-pallet storage, pick-pack fees, inbound receiving fees, minimums and technology charges. Assess scalability options, ramp timelines, access to additional nodes in the 3PL network, labor flexibility and the total landed-cost impact across your distribution footprint.