Plan for scheduled barge and ocean services that typically operate on weekly rotations, and for airlift to Anchorage or Seattle that shortens door‑to‑door time for high‑priority shipments. Seasonal weather can add buffer days; build lead times and contingency capacity into replenishment plans.

Use inventory localization for high‑turn SKUs, consolidate inbound ocean shipments to reduce per‑unit freight, employ cross‑dock staging to cut holding costs, and integrate forecasting with the 3PL WMS. Negotiate bundled carrier rates and service windows to lower expedited transport spend.

Expect standard FDA/USDA controls for food and seafood, documentation for exports and imports, hazmat handling rules, and recordkeeping for cold‑chain integrity. Coordinate customs brokerage and manifests early, and verify that the 3PL provides compliant handling, traceability, and inspection support.