Container Loading Inspections for Product Protection
An experienced importer knows never to be cavalier about the business of container loading. A thorough inspection of container loading procedures is just as important for catching potential product hazards as is lab testing and line monitoring.
In turn, a trusted product testing and inspection service understands that merchandise protection, accurate order fills, and regulatory paperwork are vital to an importer's overall success.
So, what are the benefits and risks of container loading inspections? And what are the 5 steps that a successful container loading inspection include?
5 Steps for a Successful Container Loading Inspection
Imagine a container loading inspection as an extension of factory line quality control.
1. Quality and Quantity Checks
Individual products should continue to be checked for construction integrity. An inspector can sample a small portion for final verification before loading begins. This is an extra measure intended to catch issues missed between the factory line and the loading zone.
However, since a product loading inspector can only look at a small percentage of the total shipment, it should never be a complete replacement for a more thorough pre-shipment inspection.
During this step, model numbers and order totals are also checked for accuracy against inventory documents.
2. Packaging Inspection
Packaging strength is essential to the integrity of the product. When an on-site inspector can spot defective, out-of-spec, or mislabeled packaging before the product leaves for its long and cramped journey, a company can save potentially millions in damaged goods, return costs, and loss of sales.
Even when product packaging meets its required specs as per quality assurance (QA) standards, an experienced inspector may be able to provide observations and recommendations that can help further strengthen future packaging design. These recommendations are built based on close observation of how products stand up to routine loading procedures and in-transit conditions.
3. Loading Procedure Verification
How aware are busy loading operators about 'fragile' products? Are they treated with care, or handled as just another package to be shipped as quickly as possible?
An on-site inspector will ensure all personnel involved in the loading process are aware of sensitive items and can perform sensitive loading duties accordingly.
Are cargo containers being sealed properly? The most carefully loaded cargo can be easily ruined by weather leaks.
Therefore, the quality of the sealing must be verified by an on-site inspector before it leaves.
4. Cargo Container Quality Inspections
Perhaps it is the containers that are not fit for the journey. Export cartons must be thoroughly inspected for any damage, leaks, molds, bugs, rodents, and overall material conditions. Are the container walls already softened or crushed by previous use?
Whereas a typical loading and shipping company may either miss container flaws or gamble that a damaged crate can still withstand the journey, a trained loading inspector will leave no wall, latch, or seal unchecked.
5. Verification of All Legal and Regulatory Documents
The cargo container is sound and resistant to leaks. That doesn't mean a necessary piece of paperwork can't fall through the cracks.
Once all physical and loading checks have been finished, an inspector will note all accompanying legal documents, such as a SASO Certificate of Conformity for products shipped to Saudi Arabia, or products meant for any EU Member market (REACH, RoHS).
When a vital document is either missing or inaccurate, it will cause the same costly customs hold-ups as damaged goods.
What are the Risks of Not Having a Proper Loading Inspection?
It's easy to imagine what a crate full of damaged goods can mean to your business. Loss of money, time, and products aside, there is also the cost to your brand's reputation as a dependable supplier.
As the opening quote says, international marketing moves at a 'just-in-time' rate that can put enormous pressure on transporters. They aim to move cargo as quickly as possible.
Considering all of the variables involved in international shipping, the pressure to cut quality and safety corners is too great to leave to chance. Shippers are not gambling with their products. They are gambling with yours!
Additional Costs for Damage to Neighboring Products
It may not just be your product that suffers damage. It could be another company's merchandise which, due to the substandard packaging or infestation of your product, also gets ruined in transit.
It isn't difficult to determine the source of the damage to neighboring products.
It is potentially every importer's worst nightmare to bear.
How Do Importers Benefit from a Quality Loading Inspection?
The main benefit is getting your product safely to market without structural or regulatory hiccups. It is as if your eyes in the supply chain extends to all loading, transit, and customs concerns.
Looking Ahead
Beyond the obvious concerns for product safety, an additional benefit to container loading inspection is environmental protection.
According to a U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) article, "A Floating Threat," a more hidden, yet greater threat to the environment than oil spills, is the spread of invasive flora and fauna from country to country through container shipping. Customs inspections have become so sensitive to the implications of a potential crate infestation that the mere trace of an insect could cause your entire payload to be sent back at your expense.
According to the article, some countries, such as New Zealand, "have enforced a state of the art biosecurity and container hygiene system in its bid to keep invasive species out." The ecologically sensitive country has created an economic incentive of fewer inspections upon arrival for companies who comply with their standards. As a result, "Container contamination rates were higher than 50 percent before this system was adopted a decade ago, and have since dropped by 90 percent."
Through globalized commerce, a fuller environmental picture is emerging, and it is a picture that all importers and exporters will need to face if they want to help protect the planet and remain viable in their industry.
How to Choose a Container and Loading Inspection Service with Your Interests in Mind?
Any lab testing and inspection service with global coverage must be versed in all of the above loading inspection requirements, market regulations, and environmental concerns.
An independent, third-party service hired by the importing company shouldn't be beholden to any interests other than the hiring company. They should be able to send product and locale-specific inspection experts to any and every shipping dock within 48 hours, as well as be able to deliver on-the-spot inspection reports that the importer has instant access to.
How can QIMA Help?
QIMA's Container Loading Checks (CLC) extends QC inspections to all loading and shipping concerns. For all inspections, QIMA uses the standard internationally recognized ANSI/ASQC Z1.4 (ISO 2859-1) statistical sampling procedure, covering: functionality, performance, durability, overall appearance, and dimension.
And, along with our global coverage and industry-leading report times, we continue to look forward to stronger environmental regulations and opportunities for your importing business to get involved with planet-safe shipping techniques.
A comprehensive QIMA CLC will smooth the waters for your valuable products to reach its market, safely and responsibly.
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