A pre-shipment cargo survey records the condition of cargo before it is carried. Baltic Kontor attends in Latvia to identify visible damage and document the starting condition of the shipment. Depending on the instruction, the work can include packaging, quantity, handling, stowage and securing. This provides a contemporaneous record before later loading, transport or discharge issues arise.
Before shipment
- Condition of the cargo and visible damage.
- Packaging and accessible transport units.
- Quantity where included in the instruction.
- Stowage, lashing and securing arrangements where relevant.
- Photographs of the inspected cargo and observed issues.
Why the starting condition matters
When a shipment arrives damaged, the condition before loading can help identify when the loss occurred and which handling or transport stage needs closer examination. A pre-shipment attendance records what was visible at that point; a later cargo damage survey documents the loss itself.
For containers, see container inspections. For attendance during the operation, see loading and discharge surveys.