Parcel or Package Express shipping - Valuation & Carrier Liability - Lost & Damage Issues

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----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Dan Curtis" <d.curtis@xxxxxxx>
Re: Re: Fresh from the machine shop; 390 Dyno information for my new motor

In part:
"I ended up spending nearly twice what I planned on this motor but a fair
chunk of the extra spend was due to DHL loosing one of my parts shipments 
which contained a Miloden pan and swing arm setup, water pump, starter, plug 
wires, goose neck and bunch of other odds and ends.  I assumed they would 
reimburse me for all the lost parts so I said what the hell and bought all 
new and complete pieces listed above for Miloden, MSD, high output plug 
ires, coil, starter and water pump plus some more odds and ends that quickly 
added up to about $1500.  Come to find out, I forgot to check the box and 
include the shipping value box on the shipping label so the buggers sent me 
a total of $100 (as it says in the fine print on the bottom of the $&#**% 
page)."
_________________________________________________________

Boy, I hate to see that happen.  They lose your shipment for you and it 
costs you... well, plenty...

This parcel valuation thing is an easy and a costly item to overlook on your 
shipments. The rates include only minimal coverage for shipment loss or 
damage.  If the actual value of the shipment contents are more than that 
minimum coverage for carrier liability you really should specify a value and 
there is a nominal charge for the added coverage or full value coverage. 
Also do not forget to include the shipping cost into that coverage.

The shipping air-bills for the parcel or package express carriers should 
plainly indicate where to show the shipments value for such added liability 
coverage in case it is lost stolen or damaged.  The procedure and the 
practice is the same for nearly all the express carriers and many common 
carrier trucking companies are going to similar rules as the express 
carrriers so even with regular truck shipments you are not guaranted full 
liability coverage as it has been in the past.  Their rules are different 
but one thing is that if you do not indicate a shipment value or a value per 
pound or per cwt you may be stuck with recovery only of a minimal amount as 
specified in that carrier's rules tariffs.   It is not fun to have them lose 
a shipment that is valued at $50 or so per pound and their liability is 
limited to only $5 per pound.

One good way to acquaint yourselves with the carrier liability provisions is 
to go to the carrier's web pages and there is generally posted some rules 
provisions that deal with this.  If not, they can be questioned via email 
from the web pages.  In checking at FedEx.com Their rule item is "Declared 
Value and Limits of Liability (Not Insurance Coverage) "  FedEx Ground 
Tariff Service Info guide.  Generally they charge a regular rate per each 
$100 value that exceed the initial $100 regular coverage.    I checked what 
it would be on a sample shipments from here zip#97123 to zip# 57701 (SD) for 
a 55 pound shipment 36"x 18" x 10" valued at $1200.  The freight cost was 
22.76, the value charge was $5.50, Redence delivery 1.75 plus fuels 
surcharge 80 cents TTL= $30.81.  Their value charge is 50 cents per every 
$100 value for that valuation that exceeds  the first $100.

See: http://www.fedex.com/us/services/terms/groundtariff.html

So it is a nominal charge when via FedEx.  The carriers can charge whatever 
they can get away with.  For the past few years I've found Fedex usually is 
best at both cost and service and transit time.  I very seldom use their air 
freight service and have not compared that with the other carriers for a 
long time (other carriers would be DHL, UPS, BAX, and likely some others, 
also)

Many shipping department managers have their horror stories with these 
valuation issues with the carriers.  It's real easy to get badly burned in 
this.  The best protection is to take the time to read and understand these 
waybills or bills or ladings or shipping tickets, whatever they call them 
these days, look for their valuation clause and make sure you indicate the 
package valuation properly.

Don't count on the carrier agents or employee's to fully inform you on such 
issues.  Remember they work for the carrier.  They do not work for you, even 
though they usually do want your business.
______________________________________________________________
Ralph Ausmann  -  Hillsboro, OR - > <ralph.ausmann@xxxxxxxxx>
http://mysite.verizon.net/res79g4m/ ... and "check the links"