Preventing and claiming for cargo damage and shortages: packing, loading and cargo insurance
Africa routes mean long distances, multiple transshipments and difficult last-mile roads. The main causes of breakage and missing pieces, and how to handle packing, photo evidence and cargo insurance.
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Damage mostly happens during handling and last-mile transport. Prevent it with reinforced packing, proper container loading and photos at every stage; get compensated by buying cargo insurance beforehand and keeping the documents. If something goes wrong, record it at the moment of delivery and notify immediately.
Information updated: 2026-10-03
Common causes
- Packing not strong enough: long sea voyages mean stacking pressure, humidity and repeated handling.
- Poor container loading: heavy goods on top of light ones, no securing, so cargo shifts as the ship rolls.
- Multiple LCL distributions: the more times cargo changes hands, the higher the risk of wrong or missing pieces.
- Last-mile road conditions: roads in some areas are poor, and goods get damaged by jolting during delivery.
Prevention
- Use five-ply or stronger corrugated cartons; add inner padding for fragile items; put machinery in wooden crates or on pallets.
- Add moisture barrier bags and desiccant for humidity-sensitive goods.
- Mark and number every carton; for LCL, show the consignee and total piece count clearly.
- Photograph the loading: empty container, loading in progress, full container, seal.
Insurance and claims
- Buy cargo insurance before shipping; the insured amount is usually the cargo value plus a certain percentage.
- Count the goods on delivery; if anything is broken or missing, photograph it immediately and note it on the delivery receipt.
- Notify the forwarder and the insurer as soon as possible, and submit the invoice, packing list, bill of lading and photos as required.
Opening a Form M in Nigeria requires an insurance certificate from a Nigerian insurance company. That is not the same thing as the cargo insurance you buy in China; confirm both.