"Third-party" Export Inspections can help U.S. suppliers to limit claims by foreign companies for damage, shortages, substitutions, or delivery of goods not ordered. The disposition of refused goods in a foreign country can be difficult and costly. The cost of shipping goods and products back to your facility can also be very costly. Unfortunately, there are foreign companies that routinely claim shortages and take unfair advantage of the distance between them and their U.S. suppliers. An inspection by Inspection Associates, Inc. can be valuable in settling unjustified claims. Liability for damages during shipment is sometimes refused by the freight carrier and is passed back to the exporter. Documentation by our inspectors can assist in establishing responsibility for payment of claims.

SHIPPING DOCUMENTATION
Inspection Associates, Inc. verifies the products being shipped against the shipping document, i.e. packing list, bill of lading or invoice. Accurate shipping documents can help facilitate payment for the goods. Letters of Credit may require a pre-shipment export inspection as a condition of issuance.

A word of caution is in order. Your invoice should accurately reflect the value of the goods and products. To do otherwise, often at the request of the importer who wishes to avoid customs taxes, risks violating the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, which carries serious consequences. Some foreign importers may even request to be over-invoiced and then try to arrange for the excess funds to be deposited in a U.S. account. Some countries, especially those that are poor, have laws that make it illegal to transfer substantial amounts of money out of their country except in the normal conduct of business. Over-invoicing is a means to circumvent these laws.

PRODUCT VERIFICATION
For your protection, the quantity of each item number, part number, or product code can be verified to help avoid claims of shortages or claims that lower-priced items were shipped in place of similar higher-priced items. Claims for shortages, especially for components of disassembled equipment being shipped, can be a method used by foreign importers to obtain spare parts without paying for them. If you inadvertently ship undocumented products, foreign customs could view this as an attempt to smuggle these items into their country. You risk having these items or, perhaps the whole shipment, confiscated by customs authorities. An inspection by Inspection Associates, Inc. can help you to avoid this serious situation by verifying all the documented goods and products and by identifying any undocumented products in your shipment.

PACKING INSPECTION
Claims for damage or breakage may arise and your customer or the freight carrier may assert that the goods were inadequately packed. Inspection Associates, Inc. can verify the packaging for the goods shipped. If the shipment is containerized, blocking and bracing of the shipment will be documented.

SHIPMENT CONDITION
Inspection Associates, Inc. visually inspects for signs of damage and reports on the overall condition of the shipment.

PHOTOGRAPHY
Photographs are taken to verify the findings of the inspection report. In the event of a claim the photographs can provide important information. A comparison of photographs taken at the destination and those taken during the Export Inspection can provide clues as to how the shipment was handled en route, reasons for damage, how changes can be made to eliminate damage, or if claims of damage might be exaggerated.

WITNESSING OR SUPERVISION OF THE LOADING PROCESS
It may be advisable for the inspector to follow the goods and products through the loading process if your shipment involves the loading of a sea container. The inspection begins with an inspection of the empty container. The container should be watertight without any holes in the roof, sides, or floor. After loading has begun, blocking and bracing inside the container can be detailed. The elimination of voids and the leveling of the load, as much as possible, can be verified. In addition, our inspector can confirm the application of a seal to the sea container.