How to Solve Damaged Freight Issues

Unfortunately, shipments from any dust collection supplier you work with can sustain damage during transit. While you cannot control what happens in-transit, you can control how you respond to freight that arrives damaged.

How Damaged Freight Affects Your Bottom Line

Shipping claims and getting replacements for damaged freight can be a frustrating to deal with, but the true price tag of this issue can cost far greater than just a few broken boxes or lost product. Other costs to your business may include:

• Unscheduled Shut Down


• Lost Production


• Reduced Product Quality


• Regulatory Fines for Non-Compliance

Minimizing Damaged Freight Issues

The U.S. Air Filtration logistics team understands that packaging can play a role in the potential of damaged freight. Your shipment will be handled by many people along the way. So we keep this in mind when we prepare your dust collection order for shipment in the U.S. Air Filtration warehouse, and we follow a system of best practices that can help protect your items as much as possible.

• Inspection –To avoid shortages we inspect, count, and match up the items to your packing slip.


• Right Packaging – Our team makes sure that the box is suitable for the item that is shipping.


• Proper Seals – We distribute tape evenly to ensure your product stays fully sealed in its package. For palletized items, we shrink wrap your freight multiple times to ensure all boxes remains together.


• Appropriately Sized Pallets – Our warehouse team makes certain that the right sized pallet, also known as a skid, is the right one for the weight and size of the shipment.


• Clear Shipping Labels – Labels are legible and durable. Paperwork such as a bill of lading or packing slips are placed inside of a protective sleeve.

How Do I Receive Freight?

There is one golden rule of receiving freight that every receiving dock should follow. Do not accept or sign the bill of lading before checking freight for damage, concealed damage, or missing parts.

It’s critical to pay close attention and inspect all details when you receive a freight shipment. You have the right to record exactly what is missing or damaged. If damaged freight is not recorded, you may not be able to file a successful freight claim.

When you receive freight, here are the steps you should take.

Box Count & Damage Inspection

1. Count the number of boxes received. Compare the box count to the bill of lading for accuracy.


2. Inspect the shipment for any visible damages. Ensure all packages are consistent.

Are there any damages present? If yes, then take immediate action with the following steps.

• Accept the shipment as damaged.


• Write down all damages or missing box count on the delivery slip.


• Take photos to showcase the condition of goods when received.

TIP: Do not refuse a shipment or discard any damaged freight. Your shipment may get damaged further, or worse, lost in storage. Without your dust collection products in-hand, getting replacements or a freight claim solved can take several weeks longer.

TIP: Keep a copy of all related documents like the bill of lading, packing slip, and copy of your invoice.

Communicate Issues

TIP: There is a limited window of time to submit a freight claim for resolution.

Report any damages to your supplier within 24 hours of receiving your shipment and they will help your take the next steps. If your shipment was from U.S. Air Filtration here is what you can do:

• Contact your account manager directly or the USAF main line at 1-888-221-0312.


• Send all photo evidence and a copy of the delivery slip to USAF.


• USAF will help start the freight claim process and get you replacements ASAP.

Damaged freight is a headache that no one wants to deal with. They strain your time and bottom line. If you would like to get help with your damaged shipment, submit your information with our interactive receiving checklist below. Once your information is received, a U.S. Air Filtration rep will be in touch to help.