Positioning inventory in Strabane shortens inland transit to northwest Ireland and provides direct routes to carriers serving Belfast and Dublin ports, which can reduce last-mile transit days and LTL legs. Savings depend on SKU density, parcel carrier contracts, and network design; model zone-based shipping costs and run a days-in-transit analysis with prospective providers.

Assess A5/A6 road access, proximity to regional ports, availability of bonded or temperature-controlled space, and the 3PL’s carrier integrations (parcel, pallet networks, and cross-border carriers). Also verify WMS capabilities, EDI/API connectivity, and real-time inventory visibility for omnichannel fulfillment.

Strabane typically offers lower occupancy costs and competitive local labor compared with larger urban logistics markets, enabling flexible unit sizes and temporary labour scalability. Confirm wage rates, local recruitment channels, and the 3PL’s seasonal staffing plans to ensure scalable throughput during peaks.

Confirm the 3PL’s customs brokerage capabilities, EORI handling, and experience with import/export documentation post-Brexit. Understand whether bonded storage or customs suspension is available, how VAT is treated on cross-border returns, and which party will manage declarations to avoid transit delays and extra duty exposure.