Assess dock door counts, clear height, racking density, segregated returns and value‑add areas, plus WMS and EDI capabilities. Confirm regular trunking and parcel carrier schedules, fuel surcharges, and feeder lanes that affect transit time and cost. Evaluate local carrier density and intermodal options to ensure reliable pickup windows and delivery SLAs.

A Balaka-based 3PL can reduce transit times via closer inventory positioning to demand, consolidation and zone‑skipping programs, and optimized route planning with local carriers. Cost reductions come from lower last‑mile rates, reduced dwell time, and efficient cross-dock operations that cut double-handling and shorten order-to-delivery cycles.

Require documented throughput (orders/hr), storage utilization, order accuracy, inventory accuracy, and OTIF percentages. Verify peak handling capacity, seasonal scalability, security and insurance limits, and system integrations for real-time inventory visibility. Include audit rights and SLA reporting cadence in the contract.

Negotiate transparent unit rates for storage, receiving, picks, and value‑adds; minimums; and clear indexation clauses. Define KPI thresholds for order accuracy, on-time dispatch, and inventory accuracy with linked credits or penalties. Include service review periods, volume-band pricing, and exit terms to preserve flexibility as volumes change.