Prioritize WMS compatibility, picking and packing capacity, cold chain availability if required, dock and yard configuration, security and insurance, demonstrated carrier integrations, and staff skill levels. Also review on‑site automation options and contingency plans for road disruptions to ensure service continuity.

Carrier density and available lanes determine transit reliability and pricing. Strong road connections and multiple regional carriers reduce single‑carrier risk, shorten transit times, and enable zone‑optimised pricing. Consider cross‑docking options and consolidated pickups to lower per‑order freight spend.

Negotiate on‑time shipment percentage, order accuracy, pick lead time, dock to ship time, inventory accuracy, and returns processing SLA. Include penalties and review cadences, plus scalability clauses for seasonal volume increases and emergency response commitments.

Include rent and labor, inbound and outbound transportation, inventory carrying costs, handling fees, pick/pack costs, packaging, customs or regulatory charges, and potential service-level penalties. Model scenarios for velocity changes and safety stock to compare true landed cost per SKU.