Prioritize SLA definitions (order‑to‑ship times, accuracy), WMS and API integrations, inventory visibility, warehouse footprint and racking, temperature‑controlled capacity if required, on‑site customs/bonded services, transit times to major corridors and ports, and transparent pricing (storage, pick/pack, inbound/outbound handling).

Closer proximity to Puerto Quetzal reduces drayage, shortens door‑to‑port cycles, lowers total freight spend for ocean shipments, and enables faster consolidation or direct export lanes. Road access from Escuintla also accelerates regional deliveries, which reduces inventory carrying days and improves replenishment frequency.

Confirm bonded warehousing status, in‑house or partnered customs brokers, ability to handle temporary import regimes, duty deferral and value‑added services (labeling, kitting), electronic customs filing support, and historical clearance performance to minimize port dwell and fines.

Look for flexible slotting, high‑bay racking, segregation for temperature control, dedicated pick/pack and returns areas, cross‑dock lanes, integrated carrier connectivity for last‑mile and regional freight, scalable labor pools, and WMS functionality that supports multi‑channel order orchestration and real‑time inventory synchronization.

Compare total landed cost (drayage + linehaul + last‑mile), transit time to key customer clusters, real estate and labor rates, availability of bonded zones and cold storage, and the 3PL’s carrier partnerships. Model scenario‑based volumes to weigh lower occupancy costs in Escuintla against any incremental inland transportation for your end customers.