Assess carrier density and last-mile partners, proximity to main highways and ports, warehouse scalability, IT integration (WMS and OMS), pick/pack accuracy rates, and cost structure including handling, storage, and value-added service fees. Also verify lead times for cross-border shipments and returns handling capabilities.

Location impacts road transit windows and fuel costs—warehousing near major routes reduces drayage and inbound transit variability. For northbound and coastal routes, shorter road distances yield lower freight spend and tighter delivery SLAs. Evaluate typical carrier transit lanes and frequency to key destinations.

Prioritize facilities with flexible racking, sufficient yard space for trailers, cross-docking capacity, secure receiving, and staging areas. Verify heavy-duty loading docks, forklift fleet, bonded options, and documentation processes to support palletized shipments and scheduled carrier appointments.

Require WMS/API access for inventory visibility, EDI or API shipping integration, defined SLA metrics for order accuracy and cut-off times, reporting cadence, and contingency plans for peak demand. Consider sample onboarding timelines, testing windows, and penalties or remedies for missed SLAs.