Receiving Freight
Besides shipping freight, most businesses also receive freight as a consignee. Some things to remember when receiving freight:
- Stay in contact with your supplier to find out when your shipment was shipped, what carrier it was given to, and an approximate arrival date.
- On arrival, immediately inspect the shipment for signs of damage.
- Compare the actual number of shipping units to the number listed on the delivery receipt.
- Be sure to note any damage or shortage exceptions on the delivery receipt.
Your Reimer Express driver/sales rep will help you receive your shipment and answer your questions. While he or she is there, compare the pieces of freight you are receiving to the freight bill. When you've determined that the condition and quantity of your freight is acceptable, the driver will ask you to sign the delivery receipt. The driver will keep the original delivery receipt and give you a copy. When a carrier receives a signed delivery receipt with no exceptions, it is called a "clear" delivery.
If a shipment is short or damaged, you should still accept delivery. It's the duty of the shipper and the consignee to mitigate the loss. After you accept the shipment, protect the shipment from further loss and file a claim for the actual shortage or damage involved promptly. Just signing the delivery receipt with a shortage or damage notation is not the same as filing a claim. Your carrier should provide you with a form specifically for this purpose.
The Invoice
An invoice for the freight charges and other fees will be sent to the appropriate party soon after pickup or delivery has been made, depending on whether the shipment is prepaid, collect or billed to a third party. Questions regarding the amounts shown on the invoice should be directed to your carrier. If you feel you have paid too much, contact your carrier and file an overcharge claim.
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