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Third-party inspection and survey reports

En bref

An inspection or survey report records what an independent surveyor observed and sampled at a defined time and place, and its evidential value depends entirely on how specific the instructions and the recorded observations are.

Points clés

  • The report is only as good as the scope you commissioned.
  • Sampling methodology must be described, not merely mentioned.
  • Photographs and seal records make a report defensible.

Writing the scope

Specify what to inspect, when, using which sampling standard, how many increments, how samples are to be sealed and split, and what to photograph. A scope reading 'inspect the cargo' produces a report of no evidential weight.

Reading the report

Check that observations are factual and dated, that sampling is described in enough detail to be reproduced, that seal numbers are recorded, and that any deviation is described rather than characterised.

When to commission one

New suppliers, high-value cargo, cargo where the risk transfer point is remote from you, contested previous shipments and any lot where you expect a dispute is realistic.

À vérifier

  • Scope of instruction attached to or referenced in the report
  • Sampling method, increment count and seal numbers documented
  • Photographic annex with dated images

Risques à maîtriser

  • Generic report unusable as evidence in a dispute
  • Inspection performed too late in the process to matter
  • Surveyor appointed by the counterparty only

Erreurs fréquentes

  • Commissioning inspection without a written scope
  • Skipping pre-loading inspection to save cost
  • Not retaining the sealed samples referenced in the report

Questions fréquentes

Who should appoint the surveyor?

Ideally jointly, or by the party carrying risk at that point. Joint appointment substantially reduces argument about the report's neutrality.

Is an inspection report a quality guarantee?

No. It records observations at one point in time on the material sampled; it does not warrant the entire cargo.

À lire également

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