Prioritize multimodal routing (sea and air), proven inter-island handling, temperature-controlled storage if serving perishables, inventory visibility (WMS integration), and contingency plans for weather-disrupted sailings. Also assess lead times to resorts and local pickup/transfer arrangements.

Transit times depend on consolidation at major Indian or Maldivian hubs and scheduled feeder services. Expect inbound consolidation to Male followed by regional transfer to northern atolls. Work with 3PLs that maintain carrier slots and buffer inventory to minimize stockouts.

Require audited storage conditions, basic security, FIFO/FEFO handling, climate-control where needed, digital inventory tracking, and documentation for customs and excise. Confirm SLA terms for order accuracy, shrinkage, and emergency replenishment procedures.

Yes. Consolidate shipments to reduce per-unit shipping costs, stage inventory at regional hubs to smooth demand, negotiate volume-based carrier rates, use off-peak collection windows, and align packaging to local transport constraints to lower handling fees.