Evaluate port proximity and drayage times, multimodal connectivity (rail, road, coastal feeder), WMS and automation level, bonded/customs handling, throughput capacity, labor availability, SLA/KPI guarantees, and cost-to-serve modeling that includes accessorials and seasonal surcharges.

Request detailed quotes broken into storage (per pallet/cubic), pick-and-pack (per pick), inbound/outbound handling, and accessorials. Ask for scenario-based cost-to-serve (e.g., SKU velocity, order profile, peak weeks) and any minimums or bundled fees to compare true landed fulfillment cost.

Confirm bonded facility status, in-house customs brokerage or approved broker partners, import duty deferral options, C-TPAT/ISO security certifications, documentation workflows (manifesting, ISF), and average clearance times—these affect inventory lead times and working capital.

Prioritize scalable labor pools, flexible slotting and racking, WMS rules for channel orchestration, cross-dock and sortation capacity, integrated returns processing, and contingency plans for seasonal surges and carrier capacity constraints.