Parcel Audit Recovers Refunds

Parcel Audit: Recover Shipping Costs and Refunds Effectively

US parcel volumes are rising annually due to the growth in e-commerce sales. Smaller carriers are offering competitive pricing to shippers, thus increasing their shipping revenue. Due to shipping disruptions, businesses can take advantage of the competitive pricing structure. Shippers should have the flexibility to choose the best shipping carrier for their business needs. It is thus critical that companies leverage technology and use shipping data for carrier negotiations. Discounts and lower shipping rates reduce shipping costs.

Parcel audits are integral for understanding the complexities of parcel shipping. Auditing small parcels is essential for companies to save shipping expenses. Costly invoice errors are identified with parcel auditing. We have discussed parcel auditing in our earlier articles. Here, we will explore parcel auditing in 2025 and how to recover hidden shipping refunds.

Parcel audit

A comprehensive review of invoices of each parcel shipment constitutes a parcel audit. Carrier service failures, such as incorrect parcel invoices and wrongly applied surcharges, are part of the parcel audit process. Advanced software tools automatically analyze shipping invoices after delivery. The entire shipping process is scrutinized for mistakes.

The parcel auditing process involves real-time tracking of parcel shipments. It further matches the shipping invoices with the agreed delivery time and speeds. Parcel auditing checks the maintenance of service levels. Indescrepancies are flagged and reported to parcel carriers for refunds.

Most billing inaccuracies are detected during parcel auditing. The frequent shipping refund opportunities are presented below.

  • Late parcel deliveries
  • Duplicate invoice billing
  • Incorrectly applied surcharges
Parcel-Audit-Recover-Shipping-Costs-and-Refunds-Effectively

Fig 1 – Shipping Refund Opportunities

Manual parcel auditing may fall short of catching all billing mistakes. However, automated parcel auditing is reliable, giving value for money. Parcel audit was augmented by AI-powered audit software tools in 2025. Businesses save thousands of dollars by partnering with parcel audit services.

Parcel audit services

Businesses leverage advanced technology and extensive expertise by choosing parcel audit services. They lower shipping expenses by scrutinizing billing errors. They claim hidden shipping refunds and save money. Automatic review of billing invoices for mistakes and misapplied surcharges is integral to parcel audit services.

Parcel audit services question shipping carriers for levying fees on unprovided services. Automatic claim management is handled by parcel auditing. Companies rely on parcel audit services to claim refunds for shipment delays. These services help shippers save valuable resources spent on pursuing each refund.

Parcel audit service providers utilize Predictive Analytics to optimize parcel spend. AI-powered software tools analyze shipping trends and predict future shipping costs. The data provided by parcel auditing provides companies with cost-saving opportunities.

Parcel audits can identify service failures of shipping carriers like UPS and FedEx. Conducting shipping audits of UPS and FedEx shipping invoices uncovers hidden shipping refunds. Regular parcel auditing provides shippers with greater visibility into their shipping information.

UPS refund audit

UPS shipping audits utilize automated software and analyze shipping invoices for accurate and timely processing. Errors in the shipping invoices are flagged, and shippers file claims for refunds. Parcel shipping invoices are prone to errors due to incorrect dimensional(DIM) weight calculations. Parcel invoices contain hidden charges, such as rates applied for incorrect delivery zones.

UPS refunds for late deliveries are identified during parcel auditing. UPS Service Guarantees ensure that parcels are delivered to customers on time. Mistakes in the UPS invoices are uncovered instantly for claiming refunds. However, late deliveries are not always identified and claimed promptly. Moreover, disputes from UPS service failures require quick resolution. Third-party parcel audit services help shippers recover shipping refunds from UPS swiftly.

UPS audits involve cross-checking carrier invoice details with the rates in the carrier contracts. Audit software tracks UPS shipping carrier performance, giving insights into their efficiency. Parcel auditing provides valuable shipping data to shippers for contract renegotiations. After complete validation of the shipping documents, UPS pays shippers within three days. UPS refunds are recovered in the company’s UPS shipping account.

FedEx audit

FedEx audits examine shipping records and FedEx invoices. A thorough examination of overcharges, missed discounts, and incorrect fees is conducted. Parcel auditing review shipping contracts, ensuring rates and terms are correctly applied to FedEx invoices. FedEx rates are compared with industry benchmarks. It helps shippers negotiate better rates.

FedEx audit involves

  • A collection of data from the shipping invoices, records, and contracts is analyzed.
  • The analyzed data is compiled into shipping reports, which highlight billing mistakes.
  • The audit recommendation includes correcting billing mistakes and renegotiating shipping rates.

As a result of FedEx auditing, businesses don’t overpay and save money. FedEx service level failures are highlighted due to audits. AI-driven software tools uncover billing errors and service failures during FedEx audits.

FedEx Billing Online (FBO) on the FedEx website gives an overview of the FedEx invoices. Businesses with high-volume parcel shipments resolve FedEx invoice disputes with parcel auditing.

UPS and FedEx audits give valuable insights into the shipping costs and patterns. Shippers make informed decisions about shipping costs, thus optimizing shipping operations.

Shipping cost recovery

AI-powered shipping audits streamline the parcel auditing process. Parcel audit services have audit checkpoints that unearth hidden shipping refunds. Carrier compliance anomalies are identified to help shippers recover money. Parcel auditing identifies inefficiencies in packaging methods, carrier performance, and shipping networks.

Parcel audit services unlock the complexities of shipping data, providing transparency regarding shipping fees. Companies can recover more shipping costs by offering multiple shipping options to customers. Further, offering incentives such as loyalty points or discounts on future purchases invites repeat business.

Shippers can utilize shipping software to make informed decisions. Software provides real-time information on shipping deliveries, carrier performance, shipping rates, etc. Data Analytics recovers shipping costs by analyzing shipping trends and identifying areas for improvement.

Businesses can strengthen their carrier relationships, leading to better rates and discounts. Regular review of shipping contracts helps companies save more on shipping expenses. Shippers can recover shipping costs by adopting technological advancements and strategic planning.

Recover hidden shipping refunds with Audintel: your partner in parcel auditing

For every parcel shipment, it is challenging for businesses to recover shipping refunds. Automated software helps shippers save time by efficiently handling large volumes of invoices. Audintel uses intelligent tools and technologies to reduce shipping costs.

Our comprehensive audit and claim-filing processes recover hidden shipping refunds.  Wherever manual intervention is needed to resolve invoice disputes, we have a trained team to negotiate with the shipping carriers. Our team has amassed more refund credits for shippers with human interaction.

Our agile, intelligent dashboards and AI Analyst provides insights into shipping costs.

Conclusion

Shipping parcels is a complex process. Businesses face many challenges, from order processing to parcel delivery. Parcel auditing simplifies the shipping process for shippers. Incorrect billing, late deliveries, and wrong surcharges are some of the errors found during parcel auditing.

Hidden shipping charges cost companies thousands of dollars. Parcel audit services help businesses recover refunds from shipping carriers. Discover how Audintel saved thousands of dollars for companies in our case studies section. Businesses can learn about our parcel audit services by checking the Audintel website.  Additionally, you can contact us at +1 (619) 354 8539.

FAQ’s

What is Parcel Auditing?

Parcel invoices are not always billed accurately. Identifying these billing errors, misapplied surcharges, and duplicate charges is known as Parcel auditing. It ensures that shippers are billed correctly for the services rendered.

What is a service failure in parcel shipping?

Shipping carriers agree to provide services to businesses in a carrier contract. It is a service failure when they don’t perform these services. These service failures cause customer dissatisfaction and are costly for shippers.

What service failures are a part of the Parcel audit checklist?

A Parcel Audit checklist consists of various service failures attributed to shipping carriers. Some of these service failures are for

  • Late deliveries
  • Duplicate billing
  • Incorrect address correction fees
  • Wrong weight or dimension calculations and more.
Reduce Shipping Spend with Freight Audit

How to reduce shipping spend with Freight Audit

Freight transportation activity in the US rose marginally in July 2025. Businesses spend a substantial amount on freight expenses. Freight bills need scrutiny to avoid overpayments to shipping carriers. Freight invoices are complex, as each freight carrier has its own billing formats, rates, international fees, and accessorial charges. As a consequence, audit freight bills is essential for businesses.

Freight audit unearths duplicate freight billing, incorrect rates, and wrong accessorial charges. A thorough review and validation of freight invoices gives greater visibility of shipping expenses. Audits of complex freight invoices reduce operational inefficiencies and save money. Further, new changes in the Freight Classification of goods affects shipping charges.

Incorrect currency conversions, invalid surcharges, and rates disrupt the bottom line. So, businesses need freight audit to stop such unnecessary expenses. Moreover, Freight audit automation prevents future invoice mistakes, unexpected charges, and incorrect shipping information. We had discussed freight audit in our earlier blogs, which are available here.

Is it worth outsourcing Freight audit?

In-house freight audit is not feasible for many businesses. The reasons vary from

  • outdated and unstructured systems conducting freight audit
  • Volume of shipments  requiring validation of charges mentioned in the freight invoices
  • complex freight rates and accessorial charges that are not uniform among carriers
  • Constant communication with the Carriers for quick dispute resolution and more

Companies should have skilled staff to interpret carrier contracts, rate tables, and accessorial charges. Outsourcing freight audit gives companies better control over their Shipping Spend. Third-party freight audit firms gives businesses valuable insights into their freight spend data.

The best freight audit companies are those that have state-of-the-art technology and services. AI-powered technology that captures data and manages shipping expenses is the hallmark of the best freight audit firms.

Businesses gain a good reputation by paying shipping carriers on time. Many logistics audit companies provide comprehensive freight audit and payment services. These audits include evaluating the transportation spend management practices of shippers. Freight audit provides insights into cost-saving opportunities, thus optimizing shipping operations.

Freight bill audit services

Freight bills are not always 100% accurate and will contain errors. Detecting freight invoice errors is complex and confusing for many companies. So, how to reduce freight invoice errors? Freight audit services collect relevant shipping data and detect billing mistakes to resolve them. It saves time, resources, and ensures payment accuracy.

Moreover, freight billing audit services have freight invoice audit software. The software handles thousands of freight invoices and manages costs. Advanced analytics and automation are integral in managing freight billing operations. Freight billing audit services involve

  • digitization of the collected freight data from various sources
  • verification of freight rate charges against the contractual rates
  • automatic detection of overcharges, duplicate billing, wrong surcharges, etc.
  • compliance of freight invoices with state and federal regulations
  • real-time reporting of freight invoices for optimization of operations

Additionally, continuous support by service providers helps in smooth shipping operations. Freight bill audit services ensure freight bills are accurate and verified. These services validate hidden fees and surcharges to prevent excessive freight payment.

Using Artificial Intelligence (AI), companies can lower shipping costs with freight audit. Freight bill audit services utilize the latest technology to eliminate invoice anomalies. Shippers save money with these freight bill audit solutions.


How shippers can save with freight audit

Freight audit investigates thoroughly into the accuracy of freight invoices to eliminate mistakes. Discrepancies in billing, overcharges, or missed refunds lead to loss of revenue for companies. Freight recovery audits are profitable for businesses, giving insights into shipping costs. Shippers can renegotiate with shipping carriers for better rates and discounts with freight audit.

Shipping data provides businesses with information regarding shipping carriers, shipping methods, and lanes. Freight audit helps them to choose which shipping carriers suit their business needs. Further, Freight recovery audits secure refunds or credits from carriers for billing mistakes.

Supply chain management improves with regular freight audit solutions. Business productivity increases due to efficient shipping operations. Freight audit with freight audit software gathers data spread across various systems. Following this, freight charges are compared with historical shipping data, contracts, and rates for discrepancies. Faster invoice processing is possible with automated freight audit.

AI-powered freight audit solutions analyze freight invoices, validate them, and dispute billing mistakes. However, in-house freight audit involves expenses such as purchasing software, maintenance, and software updates. Shippers can save more money and time by outsourcing to freight audit firms. Freight audit firms reduce shipping expenses through quicker dispute resolution and recovery of refunds.

How to choose a freight audit firm

Selecting a freight audit firm is essential for smooth and effective freight audit. The parameters for choosing the best freight audit firm are many. Some points for selecting a freight audit firm are discussed below.

Firms with reliable technology and services, and well-versed in dealing with freight audits. Shippers should approach organizations that have a good rapport with shipping carriers. Moreover, the firms should understand and care about your business needs. Freight audit should be transparent, and data security should be a top priority.

Firms that aid in timely freight payments keep businesses in good standing. The best freight audit firms benchmark the exact freight lane information for companies. Freight audit organizations should have the appropriate Analytics to provide shipping reports. It helps shippers strategize their Shipping Spend management.

Growing businesses require expert shipping Analytics and advanced technological tools. Outsourcing to reputed freight audit firms with advanced technologies helps shippers. Moreover, shippers can explore upcoming freight audit firms that have advanced AI-powered technologies and services.


Freight audit with Audintel

Complex freight bill audit is simplified with Audintel’s freight audit solutions. Audintel provides parcel audit services along with freight audit. We understand the business requirements of companies. Audintel offers customized freight audit solutions to small businesses.

Our freight audit solutions use state-of-the-art technology to enhance freight audit. Real-time shipping details give shippers better data visibility. It helps them strategically plan business methods for streamlining shipping operations. We have customizable dashboards that are intuitive enough to predict future spending patterns. We have encrypted data security controls to secure sensitive billing information.

With our customer-centric approach, Audintel delivers trustworthy shipping solutions. We provide deep insights into freight spending with our software. Shippers have visibility into their shipping carrier payments and performance statistics. Our industry experts help guide businesses in optimizing their shipping costs.

Concluding Remarks

Blockchain technology is enhancing supply chains with effective planning. Moreover, logistics audits analyze an organization’s supply chain and streamline operations. Businesses have greater visibility into their supply chains with freight audit. Freight audit reviews freight invoices and identifies mistakes. Shippers can save on Shipping Spend with freight audit.

Among the top-most freight audit firms, Audintel stands out for its commitment to customers. We reduce the freight shipping costs for businesses with our advanced software tools. Our wide range of technology platforms caters to the business needs of shippers. Our industry experts help companies maintain good relationships with shipping carriers.

Audintel offers small parcel and freight audit services across the transportation modes. These modes include Air Freight, Courier, Ocean Freight, Full Truckload (FTL), Less Than Truckload (LTL), and Small Parcel.

You can access our earlier blogs on Freight audit by checking our website. In addition, you can learn about our services and software by booking a free demo. Our Audintel website provides an overview of our technical capabilities and services. You can also contact us at +1 (619) 354 8539 to help you with freight and parcel audit services.

Small Parcel auditing Services -2

Small parcel auditing solutions: Minimizing shipping costs

Are you looking for ways to ship small packages at low prices? Also, which parcel carrier is the cheapest? These questions plague businesses shipping small packages, either locally or internationally. USPS is usually the preferred choice for shipping small parcels economically in the US. But, with the approaching holiday season, USPS is planning a price hike. It has increased temporary price rates on some services from October 6, 2024, to January 19, 2025. Shippers must consider price rises before shipping small packages during the holiday peak season.

Small parcel audits help shippers choose the cheapest carriers and bring in savings. In addition, companies bring in profits with small parcel audits. Our earlier blogs were on various aspects of small parcel audits. This article will give valuable insights into small parcel auditing for saving money. Moreover, businesses will get an overview of how to benefit from these audits.

Small parcel auditing

An audit involves verifying, examining, and evaluating processes or systems within established parameters. A small parcel auditing process evaluates shipping invoices and carrier transactions in detail. The audits help in reducing parcel shipping costs. They aid in understanding the factors affecting shipping expenses.

Small parcel auditing can identify parcel billing mistakes and monitor the performance of shipping carriers. In-house manual parcel auditing is not error-free and requires valuable resources. It is not feasible for companies, big or small. Businesses looking to gain profits invest in parcel audit software or parcel auditing services.

Small parcel auditing solutions

Many parcel audit software are available that give auditing solutions. The software offered by organizations automates the audit process on the digital platform. Some audit software tracks the shipment, analyzes shipping invoices, and has automated claim filing. However, not all parcel audit software covers carrier invoicing, automatic refund recovery, or exception handling. Further, managing the parcel audit software requires resource training and skills. It requires constant updation so that it does not get outdated technology.

On the other hand, small parcel audit services provide unparalleled help to shippers. Along with automated services, experts help companies streamline their processes. For example, shippers can negotiate carrier contracts with data from small parcel auditing. Small parcel auditing services help simplify complex shipping data to user-friendly shipping reports.

Parcel auditing for savings

Shippers save money with parcel invoice auditing. During audits, the software identifies parcel billing errors like duplicate charges. Parcel auditing prevents companies from overpaying for invoice errors. Shipping expenses rise due to incorrect surcharges levied by shipping carriers. Parcel auditing involves identifying the wrong surcharges and receiving refunds from the shipping carriers. For instance, with data from parcel auditing, companies can challenge an improper address correction surcharge to the invoice.

Based on audit data, companies can request refunds for service failures by shipping carriers. The refunds for every delayed invoice can run into thousands of dollars. Shippers can claim refunds from parcel carriers for delayed or incorrect invoices. Shipping carriers like UPS and FedEx give guaranteed refunds in case of service failures like late shipment delivery. Automated tracking of shipments and claiming automatic refunds for late deliveries is a part of the small parcel auditing solutions.

Small parcel auditing streamlines shipping operations. It identifies service failures of parcel carriers and improves the bottom line of many companies. Shippers are eligible for refunds from shipping carriers for service failures. Some of the service failures are

  • Lost packages
  • Late parcel delivery
  • Damaged packages
  • Late pickups
  • Packaged manifested but not shipped and more.

Companies can recover money from the parcel carriers for wrong surcharges levied on them. Further, parcel auditing ascertains the application of the correct discounts to the shipments. Choosing the correct parcel carrier cuts down shipping expenses.

Which parcel carrier saves money for shippers?

Shippers can choose the parcel carrier depending on their business needs and customer expectations. For instance, USPS is the cheapest shipping carrier for the delivery of lightweight packages. Their ground delivery options are affordable, but they are bound to have delays. Alternatively, if delivery speed is paramount, FedEx and UPS offer express services at premium shipping rates. Regional parcel carriers give the cheapest rates with faster delivery for short-distance deliveries. FedEx and DHL are the popular choices among shippers for shipping packages internationally.

How do businesses profit from small parcel auditing?

Small parcel auditing can bring in profits for businesses by following shipping strategies. Reducing shipping costs also includes carrier contract negotiations. Shipping carriers have valuable shipping information about their clients, which has the upper hand during negotiations. Parcel auditing services with actionable data help shippers navigate complex carrier contract negotiations.

With the help of parcel auditing, shippers learn about their shipping patterns and shipping zones. Shipping data provides real-time visibility to companies on the areas where they can benefit. They can bargain for better contracts with shipping carriers based on their shipping needs. There is no unnecessary loss of resources and revenue by negotiating for better deals.  Further, it allows shippers and carriers to forge a strong relationship. It translates into securing discounts and waivers on surcharges.  

Companies can decrease shipping costs using the correct dimensional packaging for small package shipments. Shipping cost optimization involves using lightweight, compact, and economical packaging for small parcels. Companies can lower shipping expenses by consolidating shipments. It helps companies save money and time by reducing the number of shipments to a single location.

The calculation of shipping rates of various shipping carriers is complex and confusing. Small parcel audit services track the annual shipping rates of the parcel carriers. Businesses can adjust their shipping prices if they know about the shipping rates in advance. Therefore, shippers can profit from their business by offering competitive prices to customers with free shipping options. It brings in repeated business from customers and profits for companies.

Benefits of partnering with Audintel for intelligent small parcel auditing

Small parcel auditing solutions offered by Audintel reduce shipping expenses. Our BI-powered auditing platform optimizes shipping spend. Audintel’s intuitive, customizable dashboard provides an overview of shipping expenses and billing errors.  We help companies review their shipping strategy so that they save more money.

Our team has experts adept at contract negotiations due to their vast parcel carrier knowledge and experience. These experts help businesses negotiate carrier agreements with parcel carriers. We also advise companies on the upcoming shipping rates and surcharges of parcel carriers. It helps them negotiate discounts and surcharge waivers from shipping carriers.

Audintel’s cloud-based solutions can assess thousands of shipments and calculate shipping costs for companies. Our Transportation Spend Management (TSM) solutions increase operational efficiencies and lower shipping expenses. We have a team of well-trained staff that can process claims and refunds. Audintel makes the parcel auditing process simple for shippers.

The bottom line

Parcel invoice mistakes can cost companies thousands of dollars. Small parcel auditing services are necessary for minimizing shipping expenses. It ensures that companies don’t overpay when shipping small packages. Advanced technology can automatically detect errors in shipping invoices. Further, by partnering with small parcel auditing services, companies can transform their auditing process.

With Audintel, shippers will save money and reduce shipping expenses. Our automated software audits small parcel shipments and identifies any mistakes. Shippers get updated real-time information on parcel billing errors, service failures, unwarranted charges, etc. Businesses can see significant savings and profits by partnering with Audintel.

For further details and information on Audintel small parcel auditing solutions, contact us at +1 (619) 354 8539. Learn more about our small parcel auditing solutions by visiting the Audintel website. We provide customized parcel auditing solutions for our clients. Join us at the Parcel Forum in Dallas from September 16-18 for further parcel auditing discussions.

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Receive refunds quickly with Small Parcel Audit Services

The US e-commerce parcel delivery market reportedly will grow to USD 160.07 billion by 2032. There is increasing demand for speedy delivery services from small parcel delivery companies. For example, the United States Postal Service (USPS) small parcel delivery is economical, especially for last-mile deliveries. However, it has recently faced international shipping disruptions in many countries due to conflicts, winter weather, and local delivery issues. 

So, what if the small parcels arrive late? What do you do if there are shipping invoice errors? Who do you turn to when faced with late deliveries of packages? We hope it is your small parcel audit service provider. If not, you face the uphill task of asking for refunds from small parcel delivery companies.

This article deals with the small parcel audit services and audit points provided by Audintel. Further, we also mention how the small parcel audits recover refunds for clients.

Small parcel audit services

Small parcel auditing services help businesses overcome manual, time-consuming refund claims. The monitoring and tracking of a parcel shipment by each shipper is possible with automatic parcel auditing software. Shippers receive refunds from small parcel delivery companies for inaccurate fees, late deliveries, etc. In addition, small parcel audit services help recover money for their clients by identifying shipping mistakes.

Small parcel auditors provide options for switching small parcel carriers to shippers. Businesses can benefit by choosing a fast, cost-effective small parcel delivery company. Shippers can choose small parcel carriers that are affordable and don’t have hidden charges. The small parcel delivery companies include major players like UPS, FedEx, and USPS. DHL Express, Sendle, OnTrac, etc., are the other small parcel delivery companies.

Small parcel audits review billing inaccuracies, overcharges, and service failures by small parcel carriers. Further, they help to keep shipping costs under control and optimize shipping spend.

Types of Small Parcel Audits

The types of small parcel audits include manual audits, parcel audit software, and parcel audit services.

Manual audits are time-consuming and laborious, requiring employees to examine each invoice by hand.

Parcel audit software automates the manual auditing process. However,  training and optimum use of the software are essential to get positive results.

Parcel audit services are outsourcing of small parcel audits. It avoids the hassle of learning parcel audit software by companies. It provides shipping strategies and ways to obtain refunds from small parcel carriers.

Small Parcel Audit services: audit points identified by Audintel

In this section, we explore the different audit points that impact businesses. In addition, these audits help in getting refunds from small parcel carriers. Audintel identifies various audit points that need periodic checks. These audit points are categorized further into three types of audits.

1. Service Audits

These audits are for deficiencies in services provided by the shipping carriers. The below audit points target the service deficiencies of small parcel carriers:

  • Late Delivery Ground
  • Late Delivery Air
  • Late Delivery International

Shippers receive refunds for late deliveries by small parcel carriers by ground or air. It can be for domestic or international shipments. Small parcel auditing services inform shippers about the delays in package deliveries.

  • Voids

Small parcel carriers generate labels for all packages. Sometimes, these packages may not be shipped. However, the shippers eventually pay for the non-deliveries. Audintel tracks such non-delivery shipments for refunds.

  • Duplicate Invoices

Small parcel delivery companies generate invoices twice for the same shipment. Audintel identifies the duplicate invoices and requests refunds from them.

  • Duplicate Tracking Number

Parcel carriers give duplicate tracking numbers by mistake. Audintel monitors duplicate tracking numbers.

  • Lost Claims

Audintel makes claims for refunds to the small parcel carriers for lost packages.

  • Damage Claims

Packages damaged during transit are subject to claims. On behalf of the client, Audintel claims declared value or insurance for the damaged packages.

  • Saturday Pick-Up and Delivery Validation

Small parcel carriers pick up packages on Saturday. They charge extra for Saturday pick-ups and deliveries. Audintel validates such shipments. If there are mistakes made, we claim refunds for clients.

2. Invoice Audits

Invoice errors are a part of small parcel audit services. Here are some audit points that monitor inaccurate invoices:

  • Incorrect Rate

Small parcel carriers publish shipping rates every year. During carrier contract negotiations, both parties decide the charges for each package shipped. However, the small parcel carriers may bill excess to the negotiated rate. It leads to billing with inaccurate rates. Audintel audits the shipping rates levied by the shipping carriers and requests refunds where necessary.

  • Incorrect Discount

During contract negotiations, shippers and small parcel shipping carriers decide on discounts based on the shipping needs. Audintel identifies errors in providing the correct discounts by small parcel carriers, leading to refunds.

  • Incorrect Accessorial

Audintel requests refunds for shippers if accessorial fees, like fuel surcharges, are incorrect.

  • Commercial/Residential Adjustments

Small parcel carriers may charge small parcel delivery to commercial establishments at residential location prices. So, small parcel audit services by Audintel recognize the mistakes made by shipping carriers and request refunds.

  • Address Corrections Air or Ground

Packages requiring air or ground shipping do not necessarily need address corrections. However, Audintel requests refunds when shippers face wrong charges for address corrections.

  • Delivery Area Surcharge (DAS)

Shipping carriers charge businesses a surcharge if the delivery area of the small parcel is in a remote location. Audintel requests refunds when the DAS is inaccurate.

  • Hundredweight Shipments

Small parcel carriers provide discounts for multiple shipments going to one location. Audintel advises opting for alternative suggestions by small parcel carriers to save money.

  • DAS Extended

Small parcel carriers may charge extra for shipments with delivery areas beyond the remote locations. Audintel verifies whether the small parcel shipment is in the delivery area beyond the distant location. It requests refunds for discrepancies.

  • DAS Rural

This surcharge is for rural areas. Small parcel auditors verify the surcharge for accuracy.

  • Contract Negotiations

During carrier contract negotiations with the small parcel carriers, there are discussions on shipping rates and other surcharges. Audintel has an expert team to help shippers in carrier contract negotiations.

  • International Import and Export

Small parcel delivery internationally attracts duties and taxes. Audintel audits the shipments to ensure shippers do not pay extra taxes.

  • Incorrectly Billed Collect Shipments

Audintel checks if the shipments paid by third parties are correct.

  • Weight Accuracy

Small parcel audit services help shippers pay the exact amount for parcel weights. For example, a package that weighs 10 pounds may be charged incorrectly as a 15-pound package.

  • Additional Handling Charges

The Audintel team audits the shipments to verify if the shippers pay extra for handling packages.

  • Fuel Surcharge

Audintel verifies the validity of the fuel surcharge.

  • Hazmat Materials

Packages with hazardous materials have higher prices. Audintel audits the shipping invoices for the correct calculation of the shipment.

3. Compliance Audits

Audits conducted by third parties are compliance audits. It is to check if the shippers and small parcel carriers are following the negotiated terms of the contract agreement. The following audit points are integral to the compliance audits:

  • Contract Rate and Tier Audits

Audintel helps shippers with their contract agreements with small parcel carriers to get the best deal. We have expert negotiators who have in-depth knowledge of carrier contracts.

  • Contract Negotiations

Our negotiating team ensures that the shippers’ contract agreements with parcel carriers are correct and there are no discrepancies.

  • Invalid Account Number Usage

Small parcel auditors identify packages having invalid account numbers.

  • Incorrect billed 3rd Party Shipments using the client account number.

Audintel identifies incorrect third-party account numbers that do not exist. It notifies shipping carriers of incorrect billing of third-party shipments.

  • Special Contract Consideration

Audintel notifies shippers of any mistakes made in the contract negotiations.

Small parcel audit services by Audintel: refunds and savings.

Audintel requests refunds from small parcel carriers for mistakes made by them. We ensure our clients receive money in the accounts from  FedEx, UPS, and other small parcel carriers. As a small parcel auditor, Audintel ensures that its services do not end with just providing software solutions. We also ensure refunds for our customers. We help our clients save money by negotiating discounts with shipping carriers.

Final Remarks

Small parcel audit services help businesses request refunds for mistakes of small parcel carriers. Several eligible refunds are unclaimed by shippers. With the help of small parcel audit services, companies can claim refunds and save money. Audintel experts help shippers cut shipping costs with data insights. We help shippers choose the small parcel delivery company that serves their business needs.  Reach out to us for a demo and benefit from our state-of-the-art services. Contact us at +1 (619) 354 8539 or visit our Audintel website to know more about us.

Small Parcel Audit Services.

Advanced and cost-effective small parcel audit services

Omnichannel retailers and e-commerce are seeing booming growth. Further, businesses can expect a rise in the small parcel shipping volumes. According to some reports, the US Courier, Express, And Parcel (CEP) Market will have increased growth. Thus, there is substantial pressure on shippers to deliver better. Businesses have to give competitive, cost-effective shopping experiences to customers. The need to evaluate and audit different business aspects is necessary.  

Parcel auditing involves examining shipping invoices, analyzing carrier services, and identifying mistakes. Companies can audit their small parcel shipments by manual audits, use audit software, or outsource it. Manual audits require companies to invest resources. In addition, manual audits are prone to human errors. Parcel audit software is expensive and requires a technical understanding of using the software. Parcel audit services manage the entire audit process. They allow companies to focus on their core competencies and increase profits.

Our earlier blogs focused on the challenges of small parcel shipping and the importance of KPI dashboards and Business Intelligence in parcel auditing. Here, we discuss small parcel audit services and some essential audit points. In addition, we highlight Audintel’s small parcel audit services.

Small parcel audit services

During the peak season, shippers worry whether their parcels are reaching customers on time. If shippers send thousands of parcels daily, keeping track of each shipment is tedious and time-consuming. It is easier to outsource auditing small parcel shipments to companies specializing in this field.

An in-depth review of shipping invoices is integral to parcel audit services. Moreover, parcel auditing services validate carrier contracts. The analysis of shipping data provides valuable insights into shipping operations. With the help of advanced technology tools, small parcel audits identify shipping errors. These errors could be wrong weights of parcels, incorrect entry of addresses, etc. Several shipping mistakes can occur during small parcel shipping.

Parcel audit services have identified more than 50 audit points. Some of the noteworthy audit points include:

Late deliveries

Delays in delivery of small parcels or late deliveries affect businesses. Shippers either offer refunds or discounts to customers to retain them. Late deliveries can impact customer satisfaction and loss of business growth. Negative online reviews from the affected customers can cause more damage to businesses.

Companies can prevent late deliveries by using parcel audit services. Parcel auditors provide real-time tracking of shipments. It allows shippers to claim refunds from parcel carriers for late deliveries. Real-time delivery updates sent to customers and package locations make the customers invested in the shipping process. Further, shippers can also partner with third-party logistics providers (3PL) to prevent late deliveries.

Items manifested but not shipped.

Shipping manifests are documents detailing the goods to be shipped. Complete shipping information for multiple shipments is part of the manifest. The manifest contains a package quantity, weight, and reference number. Shipping manifest allows seamless handover between shipper and parcel carriers.

On placing orders, the generation of manifests and billing occurs. However, orders may change after the billing of the manifest. For example, a company has to ship eighty packages. A manifest is created and billed. But, if the company wants to add ten more packages to the order, there is a new manifest generation, and the shipment occurs. But, the company has to pay fees for the original manifest, which was not shipped. In addition, it has to pay for the ninety packages shipped. The double billing leads to a rise in shipping costs for the company.

Parcel audit services have software platforms that identify packages manifested but not shipped. It alerts the shippers about the mistakes in billing and saves money.

Residential surcharges

Additional fees applied by parcel carriers to packages shipped to a home or a home business are residential surcharges. These fees are in addition to a parcel carrier’s base rate. UPS and FedEx apply residential surcharges to small parcels shipped to a residential location. So, residential surcharges can increase the shipping costs for businesses. Alternatively, using USPS and hybrid services helps prevent residential surcharges.

Parcel auditors provide details on the residential surcharges to shippers. Further, auditors suggest methods to reduce residential surcharge costs. They help in identifying whether the address is eligible for a residential surcharge. Small parcel audit services help shippers by getting discounted rates from shipping carriers. Moreover, parcel auditors advise shippers to negotiate residential surcharges in the carrier contracts.

Delivery Area surcharges

One of the common surcharges applied by shipping carriers is the delivery area surcharge (DAS). It is an additional fee when a package is delivered or picked up in an area outside the parcel carriers’ shipping area. Rural areas and remote locations fall under the DAS category. Depending on the ZIP codes and addresses, parcel carriers decide the delivery area surcharge. Shipping carriers are planning to add more number of ZIP codes in 2024. And so, preventing DAS becomes essential for businesses to avoid escalating costs.

Shippers can reduce their shipping costs by using the services of carriers that don’t charge DAS. Experts in logistics can help identify such services. Small parcel auditors have the knowledge to advise businesses on preventing DAS charges. Further, shippers can opt for regional carriers for last-mile deliveries. Companies can reduce shipping costs by partnering with third-party logistics.

Address corrections

Companies lose thousands of dollars on address correction surcharges. Parcel carriers levy additional fees if there is a mismatch between the addresses. Shipment addresses are the addresses where the order has to be delivered. Businesses incur huge losses if they enter the wrong shipment address on the package. Or they do not validate their addresses before shipping.

Parcel auditing keeps a close eye on the invoices and detects address anomalies. Parcel audit services have cutting-edge technology that can automatically identify mismatched addresses. In addition, shippers can use software that eliminates the potential risk of entering incorrect shipment addresses. 

Signature requirements

Some businesses need delivery confirmation and require signatures from their customer. Most valuable goods like jewelry and electronic items need signatures for delivery confirmation. UPS and FedEx provide Signature Required delivery services to companies. These are additional fees levied by shipping carriers for the signature-required services. The recipient has to sign for the parcel before its release. Shipping costs vary depending on the type of services opted by the shippers.

Small parcel auditors negotiate discounts for shippers. In addition, the auditing team has experts who can suggest services that will suit business needs. Parcel audit services like Audintel save money for shippers with discounted rates..

Save on your next shipment with Audintel.

Many eligible refunds remain unclaimed by businesses due to a lack of time or resources. Companies don’t take advantage of the service guarantees offered by small parcel carriers. Audintel’s small parcel audit services ensure timely refunds from shipping carriers. In addition, we address billing errors and ensure shipping carriers meet their service guarantees.

Our business intelligence tools help shippers monitor their shipping rates and surcharges. Audintel’s experts closely examine shipping invoices and advise our clients about discrepancies. With valuable insights into the shipping data from Audintel, shippers can negotiate great deals with parcel carriers. Audintel optimizes small parcel shipments seamlessly.

To wrap it up.

Companies find it complex to identify inaccuracies in shipping invoices on their own. Parcel audit software has its drawbacks. Small parcel audit services help companies streamline their shipping processes with minimal effort. Parcel audit services are vital for the efficient and cost-effective management of your transportation spend. Choosing Audintel is beneficial for businesses to make informed, data-driven decisions. Are you ready to optimize your shipping operations with small parcel audit services? Contact us at +1 (619) 354 8539. to learn about our parcel audit services. In addition, you can visit our Audintel website.

Shipping Refunds

Efficient parcel auditing services save more with refunds

Shipping services will be at their peak in the upcoming holiday season. Businesses need to track whether their packages reach on time to their customers. Due to the heavy rush, there will be a delay in shipments.

Many shippers are unaware of recovering refunds from carriers for late deliveries. With the help of parcel audit services, shippers realize the errors made by carriers during shipment. This blog explores parcel audit services recovering refunds from shipping carriers. In addition, learn more about billing overcharges.

Parcel audit services and shipping refunds

Parcel audit services check and verify invoices from different shipping carriers worldwide. They conduct a comprehensive audit to ensure an accurate assessment of each shipment. Shippers face service failures from their chosen parcel carriers. For example, shipping carriers give duplicate invoices to shippers for a single package. Sometimes errors are made by shippers that directly impact shipments. For instance, the wrong address shipping label on the parcel is the cause for a delay in shipments. Mistakes made by carriers or shippers harm customer service. Parcel auditing is essential for shippers to recover refunds to avoid negative customer feedback.

Shipping refunds

An audit team addresses service failures of shipping carriers. Refund requests are sent to the shipping carriers immediately for quick resolution. Further, companies shipping large volumes of shipments have contracts with shipping carriers. The contracts entitle shippers to money-back guarantees from parcel carriers for late deliveries and other service charges. However, requesting refunds from shipping carriers is a complicated process. Each shipment has to be checked and verified to claim a refund from the parcel carrier. Most companies end up paying carriers for promised services that are unfulfilled. Outsourcing parcel audit services help companies receive refunds for late deliveries, overcharges, etc.

What are the kinds of refunds identified by Parcel auditing?

Parcel audits recover shipping refunds for companies and improve their operational efficiencies. Parcel auditing identifies refunds caused due to

  • Duplicate invoicing- More than one invoice with different parameters like invoice date and amount for the same parcel.
  • Billing overcharges- Unforeseen charges are added to the invoice when there is a delay in shipment due to an incorrect shipping label on parcels.
  • Late deliveries- Packages delivered late due to carriers’ network disruptions or other reasons are eligible for a refund.
  • Lost and damaged deliveries- Packages lost or damaged during transit are eligible for a refund.
  • Invalid surcharges- Parcel carriers charge shippers additional fees for the wrong dimensional weight of packages, errors in addresses, incorrect delivery areas, and improper fuel surcharges.

Companies find it an uphill task to dispute the additional fees levied by carriers. Manual auditing is time-consuming and requires resources. Reliable parcel audit services can help companies in challenging charges and getting refunds. In addition, it can help companies simplify the refund process.

Refund process

Shippers are eligible for refunds for service failures and incorrect invoicing by shipping carriers. The refund process for a shipment begins with a request to the concerned shipping carrier. Further, filing a refund claim must be within fifteen days of the quoted delivery date on the invoice. Shipping carriers like FedEx and UPS have dedicated channels for claiming refunds. In addition, UPS and FedEx promise on-time delivery of packages in their contracts with shippers. So,  shippers are eligible for a refund for late deliveries from UPS and FedEx (discussed in detail in our earlier blogs). Getting a refund for late deliveries is time-consuming, but outsourcing parcel audit services makes life simpler for companies.

Role of parcel audit services

Efficient parcel auditing services take care of identifying service failures and incorrect surcharges. Further, automated parcel auditing services recover refunds for carrier inefficiencies. Finally, refunds are directly transferred into the companies’ accounts effortlessly. In addition, audit companies aid companies in parcel contract negotiations, so they do not miss the money-back guarantees for late deliveries from shipping carriers. Parcel auditors maximize revenue for companies with their shipment tracking tools and state-of-the-art software.

Audintel’s parcel auditing services to recover your refunds

Receiving refunds from UPS, FedEx, and DHL is easier said than done. A team of parcel auditors at Audintel recover refunds for late deliveries, incorrect invoices, invalid surcharges, and more. Our intuitive software easily tracks shipments and identifies service failures instantly. Audintel Technology Development and Customer Service Call Center effectively request refunds from shipping carriers for service failures. We don’t just rely on automated software, but our dedicated and experienced team at the Call Center follow-up with the shipping carriers for quick refunds. Our clients can expect the most reliable parcel audit services from Audintel. Choose Audintel for recovering refunds instantly without hassles.

Summary

In the current economic situation companies need to spend less and save more. So, recovering refunds with the help of efficient parcel audit services is the best way forward. Companies need parcel audit services that understand their shipping costs and save undue expenses. Audintel fits the bill for businesses looking to increase their operational efficiencies. Receive refunds directly into your accounts with Audintel’s services. Contact us for more details about our services at +1 (619) 354 8539 or visit our Audintel website.

parcel audit services

Affordable parcel audit services for reducing shipping costs

Are you confused about the calculation of shipping rates during small parcel shipping? Find it difficult to track small parcels. Further, claiming refunds for late deliveries of packages is full of hassles. Then, it is time to partner with parcel audit services. This article will explore why parcel audit services are necessary for reducing shipping costs.

Why do businesses need parcel audit services?

The destination, type of parcel carrier, and weight of parcels control the shipping costs of companies. Shippers need cost-effective solutions to ship small packages internationally. Moreover, custom clearances of international shipments require proper documentation. Keeping track of refunds from parcel carriers is a tedious task if done manually. Also, shippers seek discounts when negotiating with shipping carriers. The above factors make it essential for businesses to partner with parcel audit services. It gives peace of mind and reduces shipping costs for businesses.

How do parcel audit services save money?

Manual in-house audits require time and engage the resources of companies. So partnering with parcel audit services helps companies save money on administrative costs and time. A comprehensive review of shipping invoices aids companies in identifying any service failures by parcel carriers. In addition, it allows shippers to claim refunds from the parcel carriers for overcharging, late deliveries, or incorrect shipping fees. The weight and dimensions of packages contribute to a rise in shipping costs. The innovative solutions provided by parcel audit services help in lowering shipping costs. Our earlier article gives more information regarding the benefits of parcel audit services.

Reduce international shipping costs with parcel audit services

International shipping has become expensive due to various reasons beyond anybody’s control. Due to a rise in shipping costs, customers abandon shopping carts leading to businesses losing money. By partnering with parcel audit services, companies reduce shipping costs seamlessly using different methods such as:

Negotiating with a fulfillment center

Companies negotiate with a fulfillment center for discounts according to their business requirements. Shippers can spread their inventory across many warehouses across a country due to fruitful negotiations with a fulfillment partner. These negotiations help in lowering shipping costs to a large extent.

Optimizing packaging of goods

Heavy and oversized packages are expensive for shippers. Shippers need to have better alternatives for overweight and oversize parcels. And so, innovative packaging helps shippers reduce the weight and dimensions of packages. For instance, poly mailers instead of boxes help in reducing packaging costs.

Switching parcel carriers

Shippers can save money by switching parcel carriers according to the suggestions given by parcel audit services. Hence, choosing regional parcel carriers that offer cheaper shipping rates with quality delivery service is more beneficial for shippers. Negotiating with several shipping carriers helps shippers get a better bargain for their shipping needs. In addition, hybrid services are gaining momentum among shippers.

Proper documentation

International shipments to different destinations need a lot of paperwork. Generally, most countries need documents like purchase order, invoice, packing list, bill of lading, Certificate of Origin, Letter of credit, export license, and insurance certificate accompanying the shipment. Lack of proper documents leads to late delivery of goods, thus leading to loss of revenue.

Prepaid shipping

Businesses that usually ship the same weight packages can opt for prepaid shipping. Prepaid shipping allows shippers to buy shipping labels in advance instead of paying for an individual one at the time of shipping. It provides a discount of up to 20 percent to businesses.

Parcel carrier contract negotiations

Parcel audit services negotiate with shipping carriers for better shipping rates and discounts. Shipping information that includes shipping history, volumes, and accessorial fees is a part of the negotiations. Having shipping data at the fingertips helps in parcel rate negotiations to a great extent. Parcel audit services have experts well versed in carrier contract negotiations and recommend different parcel carriers for particular services. Small parcel negotiations are essential for companies to get the maximum benefits without loss of revenue.

Parcel audit services help lower a company’s overall shipping costs without any hassles. Learn more about reducing shipping costs in our blog.

Reliable, affordable parcel audit services of Audintel

At Audintel, we reduce the shipping costs of businesses seamlessly. Our intuitive dashboards and comprehensive shipping reports are the best in the market. We have the expertise to handle the shipping data of our clients and negotiate the best deals with the parcel carriers. Our team of experts tracks each shipment and claims refunds for any damages or late deliveries from the parcel carriers. We offer insights into the future and identify conditions that can be prevented or need improvement. Our audits cover shipping invoices so that clients don’t get overcharged unnecessarily. Audintel provides intelligent, reliable, and affordable parcel audit services to clients.

 To summarize

There are more than forty audit checkpoints, so shippers need help solving the various complex aspects of parcel auditing. Parcel auditing services have the requisite automated technology, data analysis skills, and experience to empower shippers to make informed decisions. In short, Audintel handles small parcel audit services for our clients, giving them the necessary peace of mind. Discover our entire range of parcel audit services by contacting us today or you can call us at +1 (619) 354 8539. Visit our Audintel website to know more about parcel auditing.