How frustrating is it to receive packages in the mail or delivered to your door and they look like a dog’s breakfast? Do you go back to the online store? Or direct to the supplier & send an email or give them a call to let them know your dissatisfaction.
Or are you on the receiving end of this email / phone call?? ….. How do you feel about receiving complaints from your clients saying they received the package damaged or only partially delivered?
Unfortunately, somethings are out of our control and some risks unpreventable, however did you know that almost 70% of all cargo losses are preventable?
How do I prevent cargo loss?
By being aware and paying attention to the risks that your cargo can be exposed to during your chosen mode of transport will reduce the loss of cargo.
These risks come in many forms, a few have been listed below, Have you considered any of these?
Handling… Rapid acceleration/deceleration of lifting/lowering to ship. Tilting during loading (fork truck handling). Pushing/dragging. Mishandling due to unsuitable equipment or unskilled labour. Improper weight distribution. Unsuitable lifting points.
Via Road… Acceleration/deceleration (stop and go/sudden braking). Impact against loading dock. Tilting (swaying on curves). Vibration and road shocks.
Via Rail… Acceleration/deceleration. Coupling impact (shifting / jolting) Swaying on curves. Vibrations.
Via Sea… Rolling, pitching, yaw and sway, surging. Wave impact Vibrations
Water damage… Rainwater (including snow and ice) Seawater Condensation (in container or on a delivery drivers truck if no tarp / cover)
Flooding, Theft/ Pilferage… Exposure of cargo/ container during all operations including transfer between points. Hijacking of container (Piracy)
Contamination… Residual materials or odours from previous load. Incompatible cargo. Proximity to hazardous or noxious cargos, cross contamination
Errors, omissions and delays are issues that we have all experienced in our lives. It may have been a missed consignment, late delivery, etc. The process of getting materials through airports and wharves can be a complex process.
So what can be done if the flight departure, or the sailing, is missed?
Firstly look after the integrity of the product, especially if it needs special storage. Subsequently look to make alternate arrangements with the exporter / Shipper, Investigate the problem. Identify the cause – this is not a witch-hunt – and implement appropriate procedures and policies to avoid it happening again.
What about Fraud??
Frauds are the result of illegal and unethical behaviour. Fraud may be perpetrated by a number of parties in the transaction, including:
- the supplier (incorrect or substandard goods)
- the buyer (obtaining delivery under false pretences)
- the carrier (changing the departure date on transport documents)
- and border control agencies (seeking ‘facilitation payments”)
Having Personalised Freight Solutions as your preferred international freight forwarder, we consider the types of processes and the issues that may be encountered, we assist in mitigating these risks and look at what we can do to assist you with these risks when they do occur.
Risk mitigation is the anticipation of risk, so how can you mitigate risk if you do not know or understand the process? How can you identify, analyse, evaluate and treat the risk in ignorance?
You must understand the risk you are trying to manage! Let the team at Personalised Freight Solutions help you.
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