Evaluate facility layout and racking density, WMS capabilities and integrations (ERP/OMS), labor skill and shift flexibility, inbound/outbound gate throughput, carrier and carrier-consolidation options, and value-added service capacity (kitting, returns). Also benchmark SLAs for pick accuracy, lead time, and reporting availability.

Closer access to port terminals and scheduled RO-RO or feeder services shortens lead times and reduces transshipment risk. Multimodal links expand carrier choices—ocean, inter-island ferry, and road—allowing consolidation strategies that lower per-unit shipping cost and improve on-time delivery windows.

Negotiate clear line items for storage (per pallet/ft²), handling (inbound, picking, packing), order minimums, returns processing, and value-added tasks. Define KPIs: pick/pack accuracy, on-time dispatch, order cycle time, inventory accuracy, and chargeback rules for SLA breaches to control margins.

Use short-term surge capacity agreements, pre-booked pallet space, and slotting optimization for high-velocity SKUs. Implement dynamic replenishment from central DCs, set return routing to a dedicated returns center, and leverage visibility tools to minimize excess safety stock and reduce carrying costs.