Evaluate port and terminal proximity, average drayage times, major highway connectivity, and availability of container yards. Assess dock doors per 1,000 pallets, yard capacity, equipment mix (forklifts, reach trucks), and direct carrier integrations for predictable pickup windows and reduced lead-time variability.

Bataan generally offers lower land lease and labor rates, and access to larger contiguous warehouse sites. Expect reduced occupancy costs and potentially lower local taxes or incentives from industrial zones. Factor in slightly longer road transit to Metro Manila when modeling total landed fulfillment cost.

Require real-time WMS inventory visibility, EDI/API carrier connectivity, configurable SLAs for pick-and-pack accuracy, and returns processing. Monitor KPIs: order accuracy, on-time dispatch, average pick rate, dock-to-despatch time, and inventory shrinkage. Ensure system integration for omnichannel order routing.

Closer port access reduces ocean freight handling and drayage costs but may increase last-mile transit to distant urban centers. Balance inbound logistics savings against outbound delivery commitments: use zone-skewed inventory placement, cross-dock operations, or multiple 3PL nodes to optimize total cost-to-serve.