Avoiding Fines & Surcharges

In order to avoid fines and surcharges due to faulty packaging or inaccurate shipment data, it is important that shipments are packaged with due care and weighed and measured accurately.

Inadequate packaging may result in damaged goods, could invalidate insurance coverage and might lead carriers to charge extra costs for special handling.

In many cases, surcharges apply for non-stackable shipments. Shipments are considered non-stackable if they have a non-flat top surface. Shipments are considered stackable if smaller shipments can be stacked on top of the shipment.

In the event of a carrier claiming that actual shipment data differs from data provided by the shipper, it is helpful if the shipper can provide photos that clearly show that the supplied shipment data was measured accurately and with care — this will help refute the claim.

Without clear photographs carrier claims cannot be successfully challenged.

Below are instructions for taking photos that can be used for this purpose.