Prioritize carrier access (road and rail), average transit times to primary markets, WMS/TMS integration and real-time visibility, SLA definitions (receiving, picking, shipping), labor skill and peak scalability, temperature-controlled capability if required, and provider familiarity with local customs and regulatory requirements.

Compare total landed cost per unit delivered, factoring in lower occupancy and labor rates, additional transit miles, inventory days for safety stock, and carrier surcharges. Model scenarios for frequency of shipments, SKU velocity, and penalty exposure for SLA misses to determine net savings.

Critical services include pick-and-pack, kitting, returns processing, lot/serial tracking, and cold-chain where needed. Technology expectations are bi-directional WMS-ERP/APIs, real-time inventory sync, marketplace connectivity (EDI/API), and dashboarded KPIs for orders, inventory accuracy, and on-time delivery.

Prioritize proximity to main road corridors and regional hubs, access to multiple carriers for rate and capacity flexibility, transit time to top demand ZIP codes, and staging capacity for wave planning. Consider customs processing points if cross-border flows are relevant to distribution strategy.