If you’ve ever had to pay for a cargo damage claim you didn’t cause, you’re not alone — and you’re not powerless either. Each year, logistics providers lose millions not just from damaged goods, but from lacking the proof to defend themselves.
At Cargosnap, we’ve seen firsthand how a single missed photo or forgotten checklist can lead to five-figure losses. The good news? These claims are preventable — or at the very least, defendable — with the right inspection process.
Here are the five most common cargo damage claims — and how to avoid them:
1. Physical Damage
What it looks like: Broken pallets, crushed boxes, torn packaging, dented goods.
Why it happens: Poor handling, improper stacking, or rough transit.
The problem: Without before/after photos, it’s nearly impossible to prove when the damage occurred — or who caused it.
How to avoid it:
Take photos of goods at loading and unloading from multiple angles.
Use CargoSnap to timestamp and geotag each image so there's no debate.
2. Water Damage
What it looks like: Soaked cardboard, mold, corrosion, or packaging breakdown.
Why it happens: Leaky containers, condensation buildup, or exposure during transit.
The problem: You’ll likely be blamed unless you can prove cargo was dry when it left your facility.
How to avoid it:
Photograph the inside of containers before loading.
Snap close-ups of sealed goods and container doors.
Document container condition during rainy or humid conditions.
3. Temperature Damage
What it looks like: Spoiled food, frozen goods thawed, pharmaceuticals rendered unusable.
Why it happens: Cold chain breaks, long delays, or misconfigured temperature settings.
The problem: Claims are hard to dispute without temperature records and departure condition proof.
How to avoid it:
Use CargoSnap to capture initial condition of temperature-sensitive goods.
Upload temperature logs alongside visual inspection data.
Standardize your cold-chain inspection checklist.
4. Shortage or Missing Items
What it looks like: Customer says items are missing from the shipment — even though you sent them.
Why it happens: Miscounts, theft, or incomplete unloading processes.
The problem: If you didn’t document what was loaded, you’ll struggle to prove your case.
How to avoid it:
Use checklists and visual evidence of item counts.
Photograph sealed pallets, labels, and container contents.
Keep loading records linked to each shipment in one secure place.
5. Misdelivery or Label Errors
What it looks like: Wrong product delivered to the wrong location — or container loaded incorrectly.
Why it happens: Human error, poor label visibility, lack of verification at pickup.
The problem: You’ll likely bear the cost unless you can show your team delivered the correct cargo.
How to avoid it:
Visually document shipping labels and container numbers.
Match photo records with digital checklists and assignments.
Confirm the right product is going into the right container — every time.
Defend your team from the next unfair claim
Without visual documentation, these claims are nearly impossible to contest. Cargosnap was built to fix that — bringing transparency to logistics by making every inspection, handoff, and condition verifiable and visible to everyone involved.
