Examples provide a system for cold-chain compliance of items on a smart storage cart. The smart storage cart includes a plurality of bins, a memory, a processor, and a data storage device storing a perpetual inventory (PI) of items on the cart. The cart automatically updates the PI in response to removal of items from the cart or addition of items to the cart. The smart storage cart activates bin restock indicators to identify bins for removal of items or addition of items to the cart. The cart monitors entrance into or exiting from geofence areas. A cold-chain compliance component calculates the smart storage cart's dwell-time outside temperature-controlled areas. The cart outputs an alert recommending return of the smart storage cart to a temperature-controlled area if the cart's dwell time approaches the maximum dwell-time and/or outputs an alert if the smart storage cart's dwell-time exceeds the maximum dwell-time.