Short shipments are common in freight logistics.
When the quantity of goods you receive doesn't match what you ordered, it can lead to purchase orders and inventory no longer aligning, delivery timelines changing, and your team spending long hours trying to figure out where things went wrong.
That’s why it’s important to understand the reasons behind short shipments.
In this article, we explain what short shipments are and why they happen. We also outline four strategies to help keep quantity discrepancies under control.
A short shipment occurs when the quantity of goods delivered is less than the quantity expected, as stated in shipping documentation such as the bill of lading, commercial invoice, or packing list.
This can range from a missing unit to entire cartons or pallets that never arrive in the shipment.
The term short shipment refers specifically to a quantity discrepancy. It differs from:
Short shipments can occur at different points in the supply chain.
Knowing the most common scenarios helps you pinpoint where issues may have occurred and reduce the likelihood of this happening in the future.
The shipment may leave the origin short when items are picked, packed, or counted incorrectly, or when labels are applied inconsistently. These errors can create a shortage before freight even enters transit.
Freight that is staged for shipment may miss the planned departure due to cutoffs, staging complexity, space constraints, or last-minute changes. In these cases, freight may be left behind.
During hub sorting, routing, and shipment splitting, cartons or pallets can be held or separated from the main shipment. This is more likely when freight goes through multiple transfers.
Physical handling issues, such as damaged labels or freight being set aside for rework or checks, can result in cartons or pallets being separated from the shipment. The more touchpoints involved, the higher the chances of quantity discrepancies.
Cargo crime can contribute to shortages, especially when freight sits at facilities, moves through multiple handoffs, or includes high-value goods. Risk generally increases with more access and long dwell time.
A delivery can appear short when quantities are recorded incorrectly on shipping documents or in shipment records. In these cases, the discrepancy may be on paper or in the system rather than in the physical freight.
Peak season pressure, severe weather, natural disasters, or conflict can lead to diversions and unplanned handling. This increases the chance of freight being delayed, split, or separated, and thereby arriving short.
While short shipments can't be avoided entirely, taking proactive steps can reduce their risks and keep them under control. Here are four strategies you can implement:
Build simple checks into picking, packing, and loading processes where you have control, so quantity errors are caught before freight moves.
Barcode scanning, weight checks, and warehouse systems can help flag discrepancies earlier and reduce reliance on manual counts.
More transshipments and handoffs can increase the chance of a shipment being split, delayed, or separated. When possible, select routings with fewer stops.
The sooner a shortage is identified, the easier it is to investigate and limit disruption. Check quantities immediately upon delivery and flag any gaps right away.
At Cole International, we offer freight forwarding services to help Canadian businesses protect their shipments and keep their supply chain running smoothly.
Our team can work with you to:
We don’t believe in guesswork. We get it right the first time.
Reach out to one of our trade professionals to discuss how we can help you control short shipments and maintain reliable supply chains.