Look beyond headline storage rates: compare slot vs. pallet pricing, receiving and picking fees, minimum monthly charges, and value‑added service rates. Assess billing cadence, indexation, and SLA penalties. Request a modeled monthly cost using your SKU velocity to reveal true landed and fulfillment cost.

Prioritize proximity to the port and main arterial roads, available container yards, secure gate processes, and named carrier integrations. Confirm transit times to key inland nodes, average truck turnaround, and documented carrier contracts to ensure reliable routing and predictable lead times.

Review certified temperature zones, monitoring systems, and HACCP or equivalent compliance. Ask for sample pick‑rates, average order processing times, returns handling procedures, and integration options (API/EDI). Consider a trial SKU set to validate cycle accuracy and temperature integrity.

Plan for customs clearance windows, required documentation, and potential inspection delays at port. Build buffer into lead times for inland transport variability and verify 3PL expertise in export/import processing. For clarity, request a documented operational timeline and contingency protocols.