Prioritize carrier connectivity to ports and national corridors, WMS and inventory visibility, bonded and customs handling if exporting, layout for cross-dock vs. bulk storage, labor skill and availability, real estate and unit handling costs, and the provider’s ability to support omnichannel pick profiles and returns processing.

Inventory in the province shortens coastal and regional transit to southern ports and nearby metros, reducing inland drayage and multi-leg handling. Savings come from lower warehousing rents and labor, plus improved export routing via Ngqura/Coega—collectively lowering landed costs when matched to appropriate carrier contracts.

Require cloud-enabled WMS with API carrier integrations, inventory allocation and replenishment rules, real-time order visibility, barcode/RFID support, pick-path optimization, returns processing, kitting and light assembly. Also validate SLA reporting, EDI/API for marketplaces and cross-border documentation for exports.

Negotiate base storage rates (per pallet/sq m), labor and picking fees, inbound/outbound handling, seasonal flex capacity, minimum throughput charges, equipment surcharges, value-added service rates, and indexation clauses for fuel, labor or property taxes to control total landed cost over the contract term.

Run a phased pilot: define KPIs and sample SKUs, trial inbound routing and receiving, validate pick-pack and return cycles, test carrier integrations and reporting, measure transit times to key destinations, and iterate service-level agreements before scaling inventory and committing to long-term capacity.