When arranging international delivery, unforeseen problems may arise at every stage, including loss, theft, damage or spoilage of cargo due to transportation violations. To prevent these and other risks, survey inspections are utilized. Surveyors monitor compliance with delivery terms, conduct merchandise audits, verify documentation, and assess transport and cargo while preparing reports and certificates about identified damages and defects that can serve as evidence in disputes, including court proceedings.
Cargo Transportation Risks
Goods during extended shipments may sustain mechanical damage from improper loading/unloading procedures. Careless handling may cause impacts, drops or compression leading to cracks and deformation. They may also suffer from rough seas, sudden stops, temperature/humidity exposure, or excessive vibration during transit. Dishonest warehouse personnel sometimes commit theft. Improper documentation may lead to delays and cargo seizures. Given these numerous risks, the surveyor’s role becomes crucial. They conduct detailed inspections to assess cargo condition, prepare reports with recommendations, and identify all documentation and packaging discrepancies. Certificates issued by survey companies serve as evidence in arbitration court to protect consignee rights and form the basis for financial compensation.
Surveyor Responsibilities
- Cargo inspection with condition assessment before shipment and after unloading at final warehouse. The examination verifies damages, shortages, spoilage or other discrepancies. This stage includes quantity counting, visual assessment, photography and videography. All defects are documented in writing.
- Supervising loading/unloading operations at warehouses. Surveyors ensure compliance with cargo handling procedures that guarantee its safety and preservation.
- Verification of markings and packaging. They assess packaging material quality and durability, presence of protective elements, and markings. Fragile items require proper warning labels.
- Monitoring transportation conditions, especially for perishables and medicines: temperature, humidity, ventilation and other parameters.
- Preparing reports and certificates that officially confirm damages.
- Conducting expert examinations when discovering losses or spoiled goods. This process establishes damage causes and calculates loss amounts. Expert conclusions help resolve insurance disputes between transportation parties, being based solely on facts and evidence.
They also perform:
- Laboratory sample analysis;
- Inspection of storage and warehousing conditions;
- Tally sheet preparation;
- Sealing and unsealing containers, railcars and vehicles.
Surveyors determine whether goods damages qualify as insured events. In disputes between carriers and buyers, they serve as independent experts helping parties reach mutually acceptable solutions while advising on risk prevention methods. By documenting facts and presenting evidence in court or pre-trial proceedings, they protect inspection clients’ interests. Their reports become crucial arguments in disputes with insurance companies refusing compensation or disagreeing with payout amounts.
Reports contain:
- Cargo type including name, weight, unit quantity, dimensions, markings;
- Packaging appearance data and protective elements;
- Photo/video materials showing goods condition at various transportation stages;
- Causes leading to cargo damage or spoilage;
- Recommendations for repair, disposal or return.
Survey services can be ordered for any goods or property requiring transportation, sale or insurance. This helps minimize potential risks and losses.
Our company has operated in logistics since 2009, facilitating deliveries across 26 countries. We offer international shipping partnerships guaranteeing your cargo’s safety and preservation. We conduct cargo inspections before shipment, during transit and after unloading at your warehouse. We prepare detailed reports about all defects and issues arising during transportation, investigate damage causes and provide supporting documentation. Our managers possess extensive experience, specialized education and regularly upgrade qualifications through professional training, ensuring their competence in international trade matters. Call us today to receive service cost estimates and practical recommendations for organizing survey inspections!
