Inspecting cargo quantity, quality and weight limits risk

One of the easiest ways to manage and mitigate the risks associated with the import, export or storage of goods is to have an independent third party inspect and verify the goods at either pre-shipment or post shipment stage. “At the point of origin our role is to make sure there are no problems with the quantity, quality and weight of goods that were ordered – and if there are, we will immediately inform the principal to save the cost of the incorrect cargo going through transit and shipping,” says Dheerie Govender, the business development manager of Global Inspections Group. “We can also verify the goods at the destination so that if anything is wrong, it helps with the insurance claim as it pinpoints where the liability lies.” Additionally, such goods could also be pledged as security to a financier, with Global Inspections Group acting as custodians on behalf of the financier. This service is referred to as Collateral Management. As such third party involvement can be specified in the contract between buyer and seller, it is already a deterrent for unscrupulous exporters. Govender says that attempted bribery of their inspectors has seldom happened as traders are usually looking at staying in business with the counterparty. The type of goods that are inspected range from agricultural products to conventional consumer goods and Global Inspections Group even has agreements with laboratories around the country to do chemical analyses of goods if that is required. The company is the first African-based entity to provide this spectrum of services. It is ISO9001 2000 and GAFTA accredited and works primarily with traders out of southern and eastern Africa. Global Inspections was recently awarded the Kenya Bureau of Standards’ contract to check all goods subject to inspection being imported into the country from South Africa, Dubai, India and Europe.