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In the final column of this five-part series, we come to the final stage of the shipping process – "last but not least,´ as the saying goes. Following a few key guidelines can help to protect your rights if your shipment does not arrive intact.
Insider Secret #5: Receive And Sign For Freight Properly To Avoid Expensive Losses
Some of the costliest mistakes in shipping are made by the consignee during delivery of your shipment. All too often companies have to "eat" the costs of damaged, lost, or stolen goods because the recipient did not follow a few simple procedures when signing for the shipment.
Below is a simple checklist of things you can do to help protect your rights if a claim has to be filed against a carrier. While this won´t guarantee that you´ll get your claim paid, it will significantly increase your chances for recovery of your loss.
We recommend that every one of our clients fax this checklist to their consignees, so they are aware of what they should be doing:
Count and inspect all pieces upon delivery.
Inspect each piece or pallet, and look for evidence of damage (crushed, torn, punctured, broken, wet, rattling packages) and for evidence of pilferage (boxes that appear to have been opened).
Note each and every exception on the Delivery Receipt.
Be FACTUAL and PRECISE when noting exceptions. Example: 1 carton Brand X crushed on corners, 1 drum of Brand X short, 1 box broken and resealed, 2 drums leaking from bottom. DO NOT GIVE OPINIONS AS TO THE POSSIBLE CAUSES OF DAMAGE. Report only the facts!
If the cartons appear to have been opened or tampered with, take inventory of the contents with the driver to make sure nothing was taken.
Open packages within 15 days or less for more complete inspection. Many carriers have rules in their tariffs that relieve them of liability on concealed damage claims made after 15 days of delivery. Any time a delivery receipt is signed clear, the burden of proof will be on you to prove that the damage was caused by the carrier, and you may even find yourself having to take the carrier to court to receive fair compensation.
If you do discover damage after opening the boxes, call the carrier for an inspection immediately and confirm your request in writing. If you outsource to a 3PL, you would call them and they would handle all negotiations on your behalf.
One of the best procedures you can implement is to have a camera in the receiving dock and document any damage. This will reinforce the information noted on the delivery receipt, should there be a problem.
For more information, visit www.4way.com to download our ground-breaking whitepaper.
4 Way Logistics, Inc. is a non-asset-based 3PL that provides multi-modal transportation services. Based in San Ramon, Calif., 4 Way Logistics offers a broad array of transportation options to move freight, including truckload, LTL, intermodal, air, ocean, and heavy-haul projects.
In the final column of this five-part series, we come to the final stage of the shipping process – "last but not least,´ as the saying goes. Following a few key guidelines can help to protect your rights if your shipment does not arrive intact.
Insider Secret #5: Receive And Sign For Freight Properly To Avoid Expensive Losses
Some of the costliest mistakes in shipping are made by the consignee during delivery of your shipment. All too often companies have to "eat" the costs of damaged, lost, or stolen goods because the recipient did not follow a few simple procedures when signing for the shipment.
Below is a simple checklist of things you can do to help protect your rights if a claim has to be filed against a carrier. While this won´t guarantee that you´ll get your claim paid, it will significantly increase your chances for recovery of your loss.
We recommend that every one of our clients fax this checklist to their consignees, so they are aware of what they should be doing:
Count and inspect all pieces upon delivery.
Inspect each piece or pallet, and look for evidence of damage (crushed, torn, punctured, broken, wet, rattling packages) and for evidence of pilferage (boxes that appear to have been opened).
Note each and every exception on the Delivery Receipt.
Be FACTUAL and PRECISE when noting exceptions. Example: 1 carton Brand X crushed on corners, 1 drum of Brand X short, 1 box broken and resealed, 2 drums leaking from bottom. DO NOT GIVE OPINIONS AS TO THE POSSIBLE CAUSES OF DAMAGE. Report only the facts!
If the cartons appear to have been opened or tampered with, take inventory of the contents with the driver to make sure nothing was taken.
Open packages within 15 days or less for more complete inspection. Many carriers have rules in their tariffs that relieve them of liability on concealed damage claims made after 15 days of delivery. Any time a delivery receipt is signed clear, the burden of proof will be on you to prove that the damage was caused by the carrier, and you may even find yourself having to take the carrier to court to receive fair compensation.
If you do discover damage after opening the boxes, call the carrier for an inspection immediately and confirm your request in writing. If you outsource to a 3PL, you would call them and they would handle all negotiations on your behalf.
One of the best procedures you can implement is to have a camera in the receiving dock and document any damage. This will reinforce the information noted on the delivery receipt, should there be a problem.
For more information, visit www.4way.com to download our ground-breaking whitepaper.
4 Way Logistics, Inc. is a non-asset-based 3PL that provides multi-modal transportation services. Based in San Ramon, Calif., 4 Way Logistics offers a broad array of transportation options to move freight, including truckload, LTL, intermodal, air, ocean, and heavy-haul projects.
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