Prioritize proximity to ports and airports, carrier access and lane density, WMS/TMS integration, bonded-storage and customs clearing, SLA history (OTIF, order-cycle time), cold-chain capability if required, returns handling, scalability for seasonality, and contingency plans for weather or capacity disruptions.

Compare fixed versus variable charges, storage tiers, pick-and-pack and receiving fees, minimums, inbound handling, shrink and compliance penalties, integration or onboarding costs, and carrier pass-throughs. Model scenarios for peak season volumes and returns to calculate true total landed cost and margin impact.

Require bonded warehouse options, licensed customs-broker integration, import/export documentation workflows, tariff and duties handling, secure inventory controls, audit trails, and compliance with relevant trade and security programs to minimize clearance delays and fines.

Monitor OTIF, order cycle time, pick and pack accuracy, inventory accuracy, dock-to-stock lead times, capacity utilization, returns processing time, backorder rates, and exception reporting. Regular operational reviews and access to real-time dashboards help identify and remediate bottlenecks quickly.