Assess dock door count and throughput, racking and clear-height capacity, available cold-chain and temperature-control systems, yard and trailer parking, and IT/OMS/WMS integration. Evaluate local road connectivity and proximity to regional ports to estimate transit times and carrier options.

Closer feeder ports and frequent RORO or barge services reduce overland mileage and transit time, lowering freight spend and inventory days. Reliable schedules improve SLA adherence for next-day or two-day delivery windows, reducing buffer inventory and warehousing carrying costs.

Look for flexible contract terms for scalable labor and space, cross-docking and consolidation services, temporary racking, extended receiving hours, and a proven reverse-logistics process for inspection, refurbishment, and returns restocking to shorten cycle times.

Request SLA performance reports, pick/pack accuracy metrics, on-time shipping rates, references from similar clients, and evidence of safety, customs handling, and quality control protocols. Review technology compatibility for seamless order and inventory synchronization.

Negotiate based on throughput tiers, storage density, minimums, and value-added services. Clarify inbound receiving fees, pick/pack pricing by SKU complexity, billing for returns processing, and fuel or peak-season surcharges to model total landed cost accurately.