Prioritize dock-door density, pallet-racking types, clear height, and available square metres for your SKU mix. Verify bonded and climate-controlled options, local road access to Beira port, carrier diversity, and system integrations (WMS/API). Require documented KPIs such as inventory accuracy and lead-time SLAs.

Evaluate OTIF, pick-and-pack accuracy, average pick time per SKU, order cycle time, and response to peak volumes. Require real-time reporting, inventory reconciliation cadence, penalties or remediation for SLA breaches, and capabilities for returns processing and multi-channel routing.

Assess fixed storage rates, handling and pick fees, inbound/outbound loading charges, fuel and carrier surcharges, demurrage or customs-related costs at port, and labor premiums for value-added services. Model total landed cost per SKU over projected throughput to compare proposals.

Closer proximity reduces inland transit time and handling stages for imports/exports, enables quicker replenishment cycles, and widens carrier choices. It supports cross-docking for rapid throughput and can lower multimodal handover costs, improving service to inland and cross-border markets.

Insist on clear SLAs, audit and inventory-count rights, insurance and liability limits, escalation and contingency plans for disruption, change-management clauses for scaling, and technology access (WMS/API) for visibility. Include termination terms tied to KPI performance.