When you receive goods delivered by carrier it's important that you understand how the transport companies try to minimise their responsibility and make you responsible for their mistakes.  When you receive goods please, please, please make sure your employees understand the rules:

 

1. Check the number of packages you are being offered and make sure it is the same number shown on the carrier's despatch note.  If you sign for three packages and later discover you only have two, the Carrier is under no obligation to find (or even look for) the missing package.  It's your loss without recourse.
2. Check the outer packaging and open and check the products inside their boxes for any sign of damage.  If there is the slightest indication that damage may have occurred sign the Carrier's despatch note as "DAMAGED GOODS".  If you fail to do this and later find that the goods have been damaged, you will have no claim on the carrier whatsoever, or Seabase.  If the goods turn out to be ok... no damage done, as it were.
3. It's no good signing for the goods, and then telling the Boss that they are damaged!  By then it's too late and the Carrier cannot be held responsible for the damage which has occurred in transit.
4. And it's no good telling us!  We will be sorry to hear about your loss, but we send out materials in good order and cannot be held responsible for damage that occurs on the way if you do not sign for the products in the manor specified above.
5. If you need time to check the goods, make the Carrier wait.  And don't be tempted to sign for goods as "received un-checked".  It has no legal standing, and will leave you exposed to the same consequences as signing for them as received in good condition. 

If you open up the packages and there are goods missing - tell us as soon as possible (but within 3 working days) so we can check our despatch and if necessary, rectify our mistake.  No one's perfect but we accept our responsibility for filling the boxes and loading the pallets correctly.

 

So be careful - look once (count the packages), look twice (check for internal and external damage), and above all Look Out - or you may be letting the Carriers of the hook and subsidising their profits!!