Key criteria: facility layout and racking, WMS and EDI integration, pick-and-pack throughput, bonded/customs clearance capability, labor scalability during peaks, and proximity to major road corridors. Verify KPI reporting, SLA penalties, and contingency plans for seasonal demand and border delays.

Carrier access and border proximity reduce inland transit and transshipment steps, lowering landed cost and lead time. Benefits include simplified cross-border trucking, shorter last-mile distances to Nigerian markets, and fewer touchpoints—translate these into measurable reductions in transit days and per-order delivery cost.

Require WMS with real-time inventory, barcode-driven picking, batch/slotting optimization, and omnichannel order routing. Also confirm returns processing, SLA-backed order accuracy, and reporting dashboards to monitor fill rate, cycle time, and cost-per-order.

Negotiate transparent pricing for inbound handling, storage tiers, pick-and-pack, and value-added services. Define minimum throughput, volume discounts, seasonal labor clauses, KPI-based credits, and clear demurrage or detention responsibilities to control total landed cost.