Receiving Your Pallet: How to Inspect a Delivery and Handle Freight Damage

Freight damage is rare, but when it happens, what you do in the first ten minutes decides how it gets resolved. Carriers and sellers rely on the paperwork. If the delivery receipt says "received in good condition", proving otherwise later is much harder.

Before the truck arrives

• Make sure someone is there to receive it.
• Clear a path to where the pallet will sit.
• Have your phone charged for photos and video.
• Have your order number and the seller's phone number ready.
• If you have no dock or forklift, confirm liftgate delivery was booked.

While the driver is there

• Count the pallets. Does the number match the bill of lading (BOL)?
• Walk around each pallet before the driver leaves. Look for torn or loose shrink wrap, crushed corners, broken pallet boards, wet spots, and tipped or leaning loads.
• Photograph and video every side, including labels.
• Write specific notes on the delivery receipt before you sign. "Shrink wrap torn on north side, two boxes crushed" is better than "damaged".
• If you cannot inspect fully, write "subject to inspection" — though specific notes carry more weight.
• Get a copy of the signed receipt.

Right after delivery

• Unwrap carefully while recording video.
• Photograph damaged items and packaging before moving them.
• Keep all packaging until the issue is resolved.
• Do not throw away or sell damaged goods yet.

Report quickly

Report to the seller as soon as you can. For orders from Pallet Liquidation Nation, call +1 (612) 203-5917 within 48 hours of delivery, with your order number, the signed receipt and photos. Our Returns & Refunds page explains your options when we or the carrier made a mistake, including replacement, partial refund or full refund.

What is not freight damage

On an unmanifested or customer-returns lot, some items may already be used or defective — that is part of the lot's condition, not shipping damage. Freight damage is damage caused in transit: crushed boxes, broken pallets, water exposure, or missing pallets from the shipment.

Picking up locally?

If you collect from our Palatka warehouse, inspect before you leave, bring straps to secure the load, and make sure your vehicle can carry the weight.