Quality and quantity inspection is one of the first and most important stages when cargo is received.
Quantity inspection means physically counting the goods received and comparing the actual quantity with transport documents such as the CMR or commercial documents such as the invoice.
Quality inspection is a visual assessment of cargo condition. Depending on the agreed scope, we check for visible transport damage, defects, correct colours, sizes and models and the condition of factory packaging.
Process
1. Cargo receipt
The cargo is unloaded at the warehouse, accompanying documents are checked and the inspection area is prepared.
2. Quantity inspection
Goods, packages or other units are counted and the result is compared with the quantities stated in the documents.
3. Condition and quality inspection
The visible condition of the goods and packaging is assessed and, where agreed, additional quality criteria are checked.
4. Recording discrepancies
Damage or shortages are photographed, a discrepancy report is prepared and the information is passed to the responsible parties for a decision.
Cargo receipt
Condition and quality inspection
Quantity inspection
Recording discrepancies
- 1
Cargo receipt
- 2
Quantity inspection
- 3
Condition and quality inspection
- 4
Recording discrepancies
Advantages
The value of these checks can vary depending on the industry in which you operate:
E-commerce
It reduces the risk of returns because customers are less likely to receive scratched or defective products.
Wholesale trade
Your retail or wholesale network receives the products ordered while agreed quality-control requirements are maintained.
How does goods inspection reduce risk?
Quality and quantity inspection provides an important additional layer of protection for your goods.
If shortages or defects are identified during receipt, before the final acceptance documents are signed, the issue can be recorded immediately and supporting evidence prepared for a claim against the carrier for transport damage or the supplier/manufacturer for shortages or product defects.
If a defective product entered stock unnoticed and was later shipped to a customer, your business could bear the resulting costs as well as potential damage to customer loyalty and brand reputation.
FAQ
When cargo arrives, the goods are physically received and unloaded. Our staff then carry out a two-stage check. First, a quantity check compares the actual number of boxes or units with the CMR, invoices or Packing List. Second, a visual quality check looks for visible transport damage, moisture, packaging defects or other external damage.
If discrepancies are found, for example missing items, damaged packaging or fewer goods than stated in the documents, receipt can be paused while the issue is documented. Damage is described and photographed and a discrepancy report can be prepared. The information and photos are sent to the client promptly so that any claim against the supplier or carrier can be raised with supporting evidence.
This is an important legal and evidential point. If the CMR is signed without reservations, it may be more difficult to prove that visible damage existed at the time of delivery. Inspection during unloading allows observations to be recorded on the transport documents and supporting evidence to be prepared immediately. Specific claim rights and deadlines depend on the applicable law and contract.
Yes. In addition to a standard external inspection, we can perform more detailed quality-control tasks according to agreed instructions. This can include sample unpacking to check sizes, colours, models or visible manufacturing defects and, where suitable and agreed, basic functional checks of products before they are accepted into stock.
