Risk check

Auditing a freight invoice after the shipment closes

When post-shipment freight audit goes wrong, the symptom is usually a hold, a query or an unexpected charge. Here is what we check first.

The failure we see most often: rate sheet reconciliation

Reconcile each charge against the quoted rate sheet, the booking confirmation and the actual transport document rather than against the total alone.

This check takes minutes at origin and days to fix at destination, so we never skip it.

How we verify before filing: duplicate charge checks

Look for duplicated terminal handling, unauthorized storage, currency conversion differences and charges billed to the wrong party under the incoterm.

A second person reviews the file against the commercial invoice before submission.

What happens if it is still queried: dispute window

Raise discrepancies within the contracted dispute window and attach the supporting document, since a bare complaint rarely survives a review.

We respond with the original evidence pack, not a reconstructed explanation.

The failure point we see most often: Paying the final invoice to release the next booking and losing the chance to challenge the charges.

Have these ready before filing:

Commercial invoice and packing list with matching values and descriptions.
Classification, origin and any licence references used in the declaration.
Booking reference, transport document and the consignee’s broker contact.

Questions importers ask us

Who is responsible for getting this right on a China-origin shipment?

The shipper supplies accurate product and value data; Hovmar Logistics checks the file before submission and coordinates with the destination broker. We confirm the split in writing at booking.

Can Hovmar review this before the cargo leaves Shenzhen?

Yes. Send the commercial invoice, packing list and intended classification before cutoff and our customs desk will flag gaps while they are still easy to fix.

Where this fits in your shipment

Planning a shipment from Shenzhen?

Request a routed freight quote · Chat on WhatsApp · info@hovmar.com

Notes from the Hovmar Logistics customs desk in Shenzhen. Confirm current requirements with your licensed broker before filing.