Evaluate paved road connectivity to national corridors and ports, onsite loading bays, secure yard space, and carrier integration (LTL/truckload partners). Also confirm IT integration (WMS/TMS), cold chain if needed, and turnaround times for inbound and outbound carriers.

Lower land and facility costs can reduce fixed overhead, enabling flexible contract terms and scalable footprint. Prioritize providers that offer tiered space options, short ramp-up lead times, and transparent billing for storage, handling, and value‑added services.

Key capabilities include robust WMS with SKU-level visibility, pick-and-pack workflows for single and multi-line orders, returns processing, and carrier-agnostic shipping connectors. Consider SLAs for order accuracy, cut-off times, and inventory reconciliation frequency.

Confirm customs handling experience, bonded warehousing options if required, site security measures, and labor compliance. Useful checklist:

• Customs brokerage and export documentation
• Secure storage and inventory controls
• Trained handling staff and shift flexibility