What to do at delivery.
- Count packages before signing where the delivery process allows.
- Photograph the vehicle, packaging and visible condition.
- Write visible shortage or damage on the delivery receipt.
- Keep packaging, labels and damaged components.
- Notify Buildcargo, the destination carrier, supplier and insurer within the applicable deadline.
Signing without remarks can weaken a later visible-damage claim. Concealed damage may have a separate notice deadline in the policy or carrier terms.
Separate four different problems.
| Problem | Evidence to review | Possible responsibility path |
|---|---|---|
| Transport damage | Before/after photos, packing, receipt and handling records | Carrier liability or cargo policy, subject to terms |
| Delivery shortage | Package counts, loading record and signed receipt | Carrier, warehouse or handover review |
| Supplier sent the wrong item | Order, specification, labels and pre-shipment QC scope | Supplier contract and replacement discussion |
| Concealed product defect | Product opening record, QC scope and supplier warranty | Supplier or manufacturer rather than freight insurance |
Contract liability is not cargo insurance.
The current contract and route price terms describe limited responsibility in specific stages:
- If cargo is held, confiscated or destroyed due to Buildcargo’s confirmed responsibility and remains unreleased beyond the contract period, the contractual maximum is RMB 40 per kilogram; freight is not refunded.
- For confirmed loss before pickup by the destination final-mile carrier, the contractual maximum is RMB 40 per kilogram; freight is not refunded.
- After a destination carrier has recorded the pickup scan, a confirmed misroute or loss follows a maximum of USD 100 per shipment under the current route terms.
- Damage is assessed from the contract threshold, outer-packaging condition, signed delivery record, notice timing and evidence of the responsible stage. It is not correct to reduce the rule to either “all damage is covered” or “all damage is excluded”.
Buildcargo does not currently include or purchase a standard cargo policy for every shipment. When a customer wants higher declared-value protection, Buildcargo can introduce an insurance contact; the customer reviews and purchases the separate cover directly before departure.
These are contract limits, not an insurance policy. Separate cover exists only when a formal policy has been issued and confirms the insured party, value, covered risks, exclusions, deductible and deadlines.
Who prepares and submits the claim?
Responsibility is reviewed against the warehouse count and weight, loading evidence, carrier handovers, delivery scans, signed remarks, photos, supplier dispatch records and the applicable contract or policy. Customer misdescription, missing declarations, prohibited goods, anti-dumping or certification issues and force-majeure events are not automatically transferred to Buildcargo.
The written plan should say who collects the invoice, packing list, photos, repair estimate, survey, delivery record and carrier correspondence, and who files the claim. Buildcargo coordinates records within the agreed scope; the insurer, carrier, supplier or responsible party makes the final liability and settlement decision.
Replacement is different from compensation.
If the supplier sent the wrong product or a product defect is discovered, a replacement may require new manufacturing, packing, export and shipping. Those costs do not automatically become the freight company’s responsibility. The purchase contract, inspection scope and evidence determine the commercial discussion.
Reduce the dispute before departure.
Use a product list, clear supplier reference, agreed inspection scope, visible-condition record, appropriate export packing, final dimensions and loading evidence. The packing guide explains protection decisions. The completed Canada case documents safe arrival and customer packing feedback, but does not guarantee every shipment will be damage-free.
What still needs shipment-specific confirmation.
- Whether separate cargo insurance is being purchased and the actual policy wording.
- Insured value, named insured party, exclusions and deductible.
- Carrier and destination claim deadlines.
- Supplier contract and paid QC scope.
- Delivery, unloading and signed-receipt responsibility.
The latest signed contract and route-specific written terms take priority over this public summary.