Evaluate facility type (ambient/cold/bonded), racking and throughput capacity, WMS functionality and API availability, inbound/outbound dock capacity, average order processing times, security and compliance, proximity to carriers and highways, and scalability for seasonality. Match these against SLA requirements and expected order profiles to shortlist providers.

Better multimodal links (road, coastal shipping, regional feeders) reduce transit times and enable consolidation strategies that lower per-unit transport cost. Carrier density supports competitive rates and faster pickup windows, directly improving cut-off times and same/next-day delivery options used in your cost and SLA models.

Key capabilities include real-time inventory visibility, zone and SKU-level reporting, efficient pick-and-pack operations, returns processing, kitting and light assembly, cold-chain handling if required, bonded import services, and flexible slotting to support mixed B2C and B2B order profiles.

Common pricing includes storage (per pallet/cbm), handling and putaway fees, pick/pack per-order or per-line fees, inbound receiving charges, and value-added service rates. Compare providers by modeling total landed cost: include transport, duties, inventory carrying, service fees, average order size, and penalty or minimum invoice terms to see true cost impact.