| 1 |
Loss of or
damage to contents of package, not definitely known to exist at time of
delivery by carrier to consignee may be due to negligence in packing,
handling, or unpacking, or abstraction from containers, and is the
subject of frequent claims and controversies. In order to avoid any
discrimination, and so that practices will be certain and uniform in the
treatment of claims, the following rules apply. |
| 2 |
When a
shipment is offered for delivery, if any portion of shipment bears any
indication of having been pilfered, a joint inventory of contents must
be made by carrier and consignee and the results of inventory so noted
on carrier's delivery receipt. |
| 3 |
When damage to
contents of a shipping container is discovered by the consignee which
could not have been determined at time of delivery it must be reported
by the consignee to the delivering carrier upon discovery and a request
for inspection by the carrier's representative made. Notice of loss or
damage and request for inspection may be given by telephone or in
person, but in either event must be confirmed in writing by U.S. Postal
Service Mail. If more than fifteen days pass between date of delivery of
shipment by carrier and date of report of loss or damage, and request
for inspection by consignee, it is incumbent upon the consignee to offer
reasonable evidence to the carrier's representative when inspection is
made that loss or damage was not incurred by the consignee after
delivery of shipment by carrier. While awaiting inspection by carrier,
the consignee must hold the shipping container and its contents in the
same condition they were when damage was discovered insofar as it is
possible to do so. |
| 4 |
Inspection by
carrier will be made as promptly as possible and practicable after
receipt of request by consignee. Inspection will be made within
five work days after receipt from consignee, excluding Saturdays,
Sundays, and holidays. A day will be considered as the passing of twenty
four (24) hours from 9 A.M., local time from the date of receipt of
request for inspection. Inspection of carrier will include
examination of the damaged merchandise, the shipping container, and any
other action necessary to establish all facts. If a shortage is
involved, inspector will check contents of package with invoice, weigh
the shipping containers and contents, or conduct any other investigation
necessary to establish that a loss has occurred. In either case
inspection will be limited to a factual report. Consignee must cooperate
with carrier in every way possible to assist in the inspection. A
written record of carrier's findings will be made at least in duplicate.
The original of the report will be given to the consignee for claim
support. Any inspection report issued must be incorporated in the claim
file. |
| 5 |
In the event
carrier does not make an inspection the consignee must make the
inspection and record all information to the best of his ability
pertinent to the cause. Consignee's inspection, in such case, will be
considered as the carrier's inspection and will not jeopardize any
recovery the consignee is due based on the facts contained in the
report. |
| 6 |
If a concealed
damage inspection report covers merchandise which has had prior
transportation movement, consignee is required to assist carrier in
determining if shipment was opened and inspected by the shipper prior to
reshipment, and, if not, shall then assist carrier in every possible to
establish record of prior transportation. |