A common occurrence in logistics, especially in international transportation, is errors in the consignment note (CTN). Incorrect or missing data can lead to fines, customs delays, and even blocking of cargo. In this article, we will analyze the most common omissions when drawing up a consignment note and explain how to avoid them thanks to the experts of TVL.
What is a consignment note and why is it needed
Before we figure out what negative consequences errors in a consignment note can have, it is worth understanding what a consignment note is and what its purpose is. This document is used in the process of transporting goods, accompanies the goods and confirms the fact of their dispatch, transportation, and receipt. The consignment note contains information about the cargo, its sender, recipient, and transportation conditions.
Consignment note:
- Serves as confirmation of the transaction and is a legal document confirming the fact of transportation of goods.
- It is a tool for monitoring the cargo and allows you to track the location of the goods during transportation.
- It is a document for recording goods in a warehouse or in the accounting department.
- It serves as the basis for settlements between the sender and the carrier.
- It can be used to process the return of goods if necessary.
This is an important document for the sender, carrier and recipient in international and domestic logistics, so it is so important to follow all the rules for filling out the TTN. For the sender, this document serves as the basis for writing off the goods from the warehouse and confirms the fact of their shipment, as well as the transfer of the goods to the carrier for shipment. In addition, the consignment note can act as legal protection in the event of damage, loss of cargo in transit, helping to defend rights in court.
For the carrier, the TTN serves as confirmation of acceptance of the goods for transportation and records the type and quantity of goods received, becoming the basis for issuing an invoice for transportation. Also, from the moment of signing the TTN, the carrier bears legal responsibility if the goods are lost or damaged.
It is also important for the recipient of the goods that the requirements for filling out the consignment note are met, as it serves as confirmation of receipt of the goods and makes it possible to compare the actual cargo with what is indicated in the document. The presence of the document allows you to make claims if something is wrong with the goods, referring to the information in the consignment note. The document serves as the basis for accepting and registering the goods in the warehouse. All this makes the consignment note and its correct filling out the main shipping document, without which transportation on domestic and international routes is not carried out.
Top 7 mistakes and forgotten points in the consignment note
But even understanding the importance of correctly filling out the document does not guarantee the absence of errors in its execution. They can be made due to carelessness, ignorance or for other reasons, and you will need to look for ways to correctly correct errors in the consignment note. The most common of them are:
- Errors in the date or document number.
- Incorrect delivery address.
- No accurate description of the cargo.
- Unspecified weight and volume of goods.
- No information about temperature conditions, if it is important.
- Missing data about the parties: the sender and the recipient.
- No signature or seal.
Any of these inaccuracies can cause big trouble for the owner of the cargo, which is fraught with loss of time, money, and in some cases – its loss.
What are the consequences of errors in the consignment note
Each time when drawing up a new consignment note, it is necessary to carefully check the completion of each item, control the presence of the necessary signatures and seals. Otherwise, any inaccuracy, seemingly unimportant and insignificant, can become a source of serious problems, for example, entail:
- delay in shipping and acceptance of goods;
- fines from regulatory authorities;
- delay or arrest of cargo at customs;
- violation of contractual obligations.
- return of goods or refusal to accept cargo.
Detected inaccuracies, errors and even simple typos will require correction, which will take time when the cargo is idle at customs. The result will be failure to meet delivery deadlines and monetary losses, which are best avoided at the stage of initial filling in the consignment note.
How TVL helps with the registration of the consignment note
It makes sense to entrust responsible tasks related to the organization of cargo transportation to professionals who will help to avoid problems with filling in the consignment note. Therefore, it is advisable to contact TVL, which has extensive experience in organizing any cargo transportation and preparing documents for them. TVL’s qualified personnel provides the necessary consultations on filling in consignment notes for different types of cargo, including assistance in registering the consignment note for transit deliveries. Experienced managers carefully check the correctness of all data before sending and provide support for international transportation (TIR, CMR and other documents). Cooperation with TVL is always a guarantee of correct documentation for safe delivery.
