Why conduct truck inspections before loading?
1. Mitigate damage during short-haul land transport: Short-distance trips from factory to port carry risks such as container leaks, rusted flooring, cargo abrasion from sharp edges, and load shifting due to loose securing straps; proactive inspections can completely prevent such damage before the cargo is loaded onto the vessel.
2. Prevent loading errors, shortages, and mixed shipments: Verify that the cargo models, quantities, and shipping marks match the purchase orders and customs declaration documents; this avoids discovering discrepancies only after the container has been loaded, which could lead to exorbitant costs for return shipping, port demurrage, and document amendment penalties.
3. Ensure vehicle compliance and seal integrity: Inspect the container for airtightness, weatherproofing, and lock condition; verify that customs seals and client-specific seals are properly locked and intact, thereby preventing cargo swapping, theft, or tampering during transit.
4. Define liability boundaries: Conduct inspections and take photographic evidence; if damage is discovered upon arrival, this allows for an accurate determination of whether the issue stemmed from factory loading, the condition of the transport truck, or the ocean shipping phase, clearly establishing which party is liable for claims.
5. Meet overseas customer requirements for customs clearance and risk management: Many overseas buyers and cross-border traders mandate loading inspection reports as documentation for payment settlement, goods receipt, and import filing, thereby reducing risks for the overseas consignee.
Inspection Standards
1.Carriage Condition Inspection
Check the outer wall, top plate, side panels and floor thoroughly to rule out holes, cracks and poor repair traces. No exposed nails, steel bars or sharp rusty bumps on the floor to prevent package tearing. The carriage interior shall be dry and ventilated, free of accumulated water, machine oil, chemical stains, mildew odor, pest waste and hard debris. Seams of carriage doors and top cover are well sealed to stop rain penetration. Door hinges and latches are intact without deformation causing poor closure.
2.Cargo Loading & Protective Reinforcement Inspection
Goods are stacked neatly with centered gravity to prevent unilateral weight deviation, suspended cargo and over-height loading. Secure goods horizontally and vertically with ratchet straps and wooden bracings to eliminate movable gaps. Fit paper or plastic corner guards on all edges of cartons and panels for anti-collision protection. Cover the whole cargo with waterproof stretch film or heavy tarpaulin, fasten tarpaulin edges tightly. Lay moisture-proof cardboard or plastic film on the floor. Place fragile and heavy goods at the bottom and light goods on top to avoid crushing damage.
3.Cargo Quantity, Mark & Outer Package Verification
Count total cartons against packing list and delivery order, conduct spot check by opening boxes at front, middle and rear positions. Shipping marks, destination, item codes, batch numbers and order numbers on outer cartons are clear and consistent with documents. Outer packages have no severe crushing damage, water soaking, opening or repeated taping. No mixed specifications or quantity shortage are allowed.
4.Disposable Seal Inspection
Fix customer-specified or customs disposable wire seal after closing carriage doors. Confirm the seal has no cutting, bending, prying or re-sealing marks. Record the full seal number manually, take photos for archive: close-up shot of seal, full carriage door and license plate.
5.Vehicle Qualification & Shipping Document Check
The license plate number is legible. Vehicle license and road transport certificate are within validity period. Mechanical carriage lock opens and closes smoothly without damage. Product name, quantity and consignee information on delivery note, packing list, customs draft document and port warehouse appointment form are fully consistent with no altered or blurred contents.
