Modern freight transportation almost completely guarantees the safety of shipped goods, and a survey inspection plays a significant role in that. Hiring surveyors is possible at any stage of the relationship between the supplier, carrier, and consignee, and any of them can independently contract an independent expert. However, many companies involved in international shipping already include a surveyor provision in their agreements.
What Is a Survey Inspection
Freight transportation is one of the most extensive areas of human activity. Large volumes of goods of various kinds are moved between countries and cities, and at any stage of transportation, emergencies can occur. Cargo may be lost, damaged, or completely destroyed. To determine the degree of responsibility of the parties in the transaction, the assessment of an independent expert—namely, a surveyor—is required. Upon completion of his work, the surveyor issues an act, a conclusion, or, if necessary, a survey certificate—the main legal document used to establish the amount of compensation.
A survey inspection involves dozens of different operations that may be performed either collectively or individually. The work of the independent expert includes:
- Analysis of cargo integrity;
- Identification and documentation of damages, including hidden ones;
- Monitoring of loading and unloading operations;
- Inspection of the product before it is accepted by the logistics company;
- Assessment of any damage observed;
- Analysis of the transportation conditions;
- Inspection of the storage environment for particularly valuable and fragile cargo;
- Monitoring the technical condition of vehicles involved in freight transportation.
The surveyor checks the seal integrity of containers, measures internal humidity and temperature levels, installs and removes seals (or documents their status at the time of inspection). If necessary, the expert collects samples to send for laboratory analysis of biological and chemical content. In the event of a legal dispute, employees of surveyor companies can provide expert testimony or appear in court as independent experts.
Types of Survey Inspections
Work with an independent expert begins with requesting their services. The surveyor reviews the documents, agrees on the timing and parameters of the inspection with the client, and signs a contract. Next, an inspection of the cargo and transport vehicles is conducted, analyzed, and a report prepared.
The specifics of a survey inspection depend on where it is performed:
- Inspection of goods at the facility involves quality control. Here, the expert evaluates raw materials, ensures proper storage of materials and products, and inspects packaging and labeling.
- Pre-shipment inspection involves examining the assembled cargo before it is transported to the consignee. The survey is conducted during the loading of the shipment into a truck, container, or railcar. The expert rechecks packaging integrity, counts the goods, and carries out photo‑ and video‑documentation. Partial unpacking of goods is allowed for sample collection. In addition, the surveyor inspects the technical condition of vehicles and other transport involved in logistics.
- Loading survey involves photographing the process and monitoring correct placement, stacking, and securing of cargo inside the vehicle.
- During customs, veterinary, or quarantine inspections, the surveyor photographs arriving containers, checks the integrity of seals and locks, and documents the loading both before and after the inspection. The expert has the right to oversee the cargo inspection and take samples if necessary.
- During transshipment survey inspections, the surveyor controls the placement and securing of cargo, recounts goods, checks quality, and inspects seals. The entire process is best recorded on video. During unloading, the goods are also checked for compliance with documentation.
- Warehouse inspection of cargo involves inventory counting, identifying contamination or damages to goods, and determining their causes. The experts assess storage conditions and evaluate product quality.
During the inspection, the expert prepares an act of the survey inspection, accompanying documentation that describes the procedure followed. They also complete a certificate compliant with international standards. All documents must be issued on legally established forms, signed, and sealed.
A survey inspection can only take place if the providing company holds a valid license authorizing it to issue expert opinions and certificates. Under contract terms, surveyors must be granted unobstructed access to all objects involved in cargo transportation and storage.
