Evaluate warehouse footprint and scalability, bonded/freezone capabilities, pick-and-pack throughput, inventory visibility (WMS/API), SLA guarantees for order cycle time, and carrier connectivity for ocean, road, and rail. Prioritise providers with transparent tariffing and proven cross-dock or consolidation experience.

Bonded/freezone warehousing defers or reduces import duties, enables value-added operations (kitting, repacking), and allows consolidation before customs clearance. This lowers landed cost and can shorten fulfilment lead times by enabling staged customs processing and faster outbound consolidation.

Direct port services, trans-shipment links, and access to major north–south highways plus rail spurs enable efficient moves to Namibia’s interior and neighboring countries. Established ocean carrier schedules and road freight networks reduce transits and support consolidated LTL/LCL flows for cost optimisation.

Look for WMS with real-time inventory APIs, barcode scanning and RF picking, options for automation/racking, temperature-controlled storage for cold chain, and measurable SLAs for accuracy, order cycle time, and returns processing. Technology integration ensures omnichannel fulfilment consistency.

Main cost drivers are labour, racking and storage density, handling complexity (kitting, returns), bonded/freezone fees, and transport linkage costs. Negotiate based on volume tiers, seasonal flexibility, shared services (consolidation), and clear KPIs tied to performance incentives to lower unit costs.