Practical starting points for customs, trade documents, road and sea freight, dangerous goods, procurement, warehouse and claims problems.
Compare the B/L with the approved shipping instructions, booking and commercial documents. Correct the draft before release; if already issued, contact the carrier/agent for the formal correction process.
Related resourcesReconcile the physical cargo with the packing list and CMR. Record the discrepancy before delivery where possible and keep the signed transport record.
Related resourcesStop and reconcile quantity, weight, description, value and references. Correct the documents before customs clearance if possible.
Related resourcesAsk the carrier for the signed/electronic delivery record and match it to the shipment reference, delivery date and consignee.
Related resourcesDo not simply edit the document. Confirm the contractual consignee and follow the carrier/forwarder's amendment procedure.
Related resourcesCollect shipper, consignee, notify party, cargo description, packages, weights, freight terms and document requirements before the carrier deadline.
Related resourcesAsk for the exact reason for the hold, identify the missing data/document, and resolve that specific issue before resubmitting.
Related resourcesReview product composition, function and technical description. Check the applicable tariff classification guidance before changing the code.
Related resourcesCheck the legal entity name and EORI against the EU validation service and make sure the correct entity is being declared.
Related resourcesRecheck tariff classification, origin, customs value and additional tariff measures. Do not look only at the basic duty percentage.
Related resourcesProvide a precise commercial description, composition, function, material and technical information. Avoid descriptions such as 'parts' or 'goods'.
Related resourcesTell the customs representative exactly which field is wrong and follow the applicable amendment/correction procedure rather than creating an informal replacement.
Related resourcesContact the responsible transit/customs party immediately and trace the movement/reference. Do not assume the transit closes automatically.
Related resourcesCheck party identifiers, routing, goods description and other required entry-summary data against the current filing requirements.
Related resourcesFirst establish whether the buyer needs non-preferential origin evidence or preferential proof of origin for tariff treatment. The required document can be different.
Related resourcesCheck the applicable trade agreement, origin rule, certificate details and supporting origin evidence. Do not substitute another document without checking the agreement.
Related resourcesConfirm the exact goods and period covered and request the appropriate declaration. Keep supporting evidence for the origin claim.
Related resourcesCountry of dispatch does not automatically determine origin. Establish origin under the relevant customs/trade rules.
Related resourcesIdentify the product-specific origin rule, collect manufacturing/supplier evidence and determine which proof of origin the agreement accepts.
Related resourcesCheck the confirmed collection slot and carrier instruction, then document the missed appointment and agree a new collection time.
Related resourcesPhotograph the cargo and packaging, record the issue through the available delivery/transport process and notify the carrier immediately.
Related resourcesKeep photographs of the cargo and packaging, record reservations on the delivery document and preserve the transport and commercial evidence.
Related resourcesRecount, compare the physical delivery with the packing list/CMR/POD and record the shortage before closing the shipment.
Related resourcesStop the delivery if possible, confirm the correct address with the responsible party and document any additional transport instruction.
Related resourcesRecord arrival, loading/unloading start and finish times and compare them with the agreed waiting/free-time terms.
Related resourcesBuild a factual timeline and collect the transport document, reservations, photographs, packing evidence and contract/rate agreement before escalating.
Related resourcesAsk the carrier for the new vessel/voyage, revised ETA and any new cut-offs. Update the consignee and downstream delivery plan.
Related resourcesCompare every key field with the shipping instructions and commercial documents before approving the draft.
Related resourcesDo not improvise a release. Contact the carrier/agent and follow its formal release or replacement procedure.
Related resourcesConfirm the carrier's supported release method and who is authorised to request it before cargo release.
Related resourcesIdentify whether the blocker is customs, terminal, carrier release, documentation, inspection or payment, then address that specific blocker.
Related resourcesCreate a timeline from discharge through release and pickup, then compare it with the carrier's applicable free-time/tariff terms.
Related resourcesSeparate terminal time from equipment-return time and compare actual dates with the carrier's free-time terms.
Related resourcesReconcile the container number, weighing record and submitted VGM before the carrier cut-off.
Related resourcesCheck shipper, consignee, airport codes, pieces, weight, description and special-handling information against the booking.
Related resourcesMeasure the shipment again and compare actual gross weight with the applicable volumetric calculation and carrier tariff.
Related resourcesCheck the current air-transport classification, packing instructions, declaration and carrier/operator requirements before rebooking.
Related resourcesStop the shipment and investigate the product identity and transport classification. Do not simply edit one document to match the other.
Related resourcesCheck the mode-specific rules. Road and sea dangerous-goods requirements are not interchangeable.
Related resourcesVerify the relevant dangerous-goods entry and classification to determine whether a packing group applies.
Related resourcesCheck the applicable mode-specific quantity, packaging and marking provisions before treating the shipment as LQ.
Related resourcesCompare package marks and labels with the current applicable ADR, IMDG or air requirements and the carrier's acceptance rules.
Related resourcesRecheck UN number, proper shipping name, class, packing group, quantity, package type and required additional information.
Related resourcesNormalize currency, Incoterm, quantity breaks, lead time, freight, payment terms and validity before comparing prices.
Related resourcesCompare the confirmed order date and contractual lead time with actual milestones, then document the delay and agree corrective action.
Related resourcesReconcile price, quantity, delivery date, Incoterm, payment terms and specification before accepting the confirmation.
Related resourcesFreeze the affected SKU/location, recount, review receipts, picks, transfers and adjustments, then document the root cause before changing stock.
Related resourcesRecount and compare the physical shipment with the PO, ASN and packing list before put-away.
Related resourcesIdentify/quarantine the stock, verify SKU/lot information and contact the supplier with the evidence.
Related resourcesPhotograph the packaging and goods, record the discrepancy and preserve the transport evidence before put-away.
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