UPS Shipping Invoice Audit

UPS shipping invoice audit: why use a third-party auditor?

by BlogSpend Management

Companies shipping large volumes of parcels during the holiday season don’t have time for parcel audits. In addition, it is hard to oversee mistakes and overcharges made by shipping carriers like UPS and FedEx. So, many companies are moving towards automated audit solutions to save time and resources. This article will discuss the need for auditing UPS shipping invoices. Also, we will highlight the benefits of using a third-party auditor.

But first, we need to understand-

UPS audit-what is it?

UPS offers businesses various incentives for shipping parcels through their company. Shippers also enter into contracts with UPS for their different shipping services. However, checking each UPS shipping invoice for incorrect surcharges and late deliveries is tedious. A UPS audit thoroughly examines each UPS shipping invoice for potential errors. It helps shippers claim refunds from UPS and understand their shipping spend.

UPS shipping invoices

The contents of UPS shipping invoices require information like

  • Shippers’ name and contact address, contact number
  • Shipment details like a tracking number, shipment ID, date of shipping, invoice number, purchase order, etc.
  • Recipient’s name and contact address, contact number
  • Quantity of goods
  • Description of goods
  • Value of goods
  • Declaration statement

Further, shippers provide information about the discount, insurance, total weight, and the total number of packages. For further details, check UPS site. UPS will charge the shipper more if inaccurate and incomplete shipment information is on the shipping document. UPS has the right to audit any package to check its weight and dimensions. If there are any discrepancies, UPS will charge more to the shippers.

Need for audits of UPS shipping invoices

Parcel and freight auditing gives shippers better insights into their shipping needs. Companies can renegotiate better shipping rates with UPS based on the shipping data. An audit of UPS shipping invoices will unravel duplicate charges and other overlooked errors. UPS audits are to be quick and accurate as the window for recovering UPS refunds is time-bound. Companies can recover refunds for UPS late deliveries within fifteen days from the date of shipment. Audits retrieve money owed to companies from shipping carriers like UPS.

Benefits of parcel auditing

The growth of small parcel shipping has caused a rise in small parcel costs. With the demand for faster parcel deliveries, shippers deal with monitoring surcharges and shipping rates. As part of cost-saving strategies, companies are cutting down on excess packaging of goods. In addition, they are investing in parcel auditing services for a detailed understanding of their shipping spend.

How a third-party auditor helps companies reduce their transportation spend?

Parcel audit services by third-party auditors conduct audits on UPS shipping invoices. Their proprietary parcel audit software runs a complete audit checklist on UPS shipping invoices. The refund process is automated, and the refund amount gets credited to the shippers’ accounts directly. The auditor accesses all the shipping data and provides in-depth reports to the shippers on their shipping expenses. Some of the audit checklists of UPS shipping invoices include

  • Late deliveries
  • Lost packages
  • Duplicate Billing
  • Address correction charges
  • Residential charges
  • Incorrect Dimensional weight charges
  • Missed discounts as specified in service contracts and many more

Third-party auditors provide customized reports to companies regarding their UPS shipping invoices. It allows shippers to renegotiate with UPS regarding certain services and reduce their transportation spend.

Parcel invoice audit software

Many parcel auditors have specialized AI-driven UPS invoice audit software. The AI platform automatically audits UPS invoices every week and uncovers any hidden errors instantly. Further, the data analytics reveals UPS late delivery refunds uncompensated and other billing errors. The real-time shipping data helps shippers improve their delivery efficiency and recover lost profits. In addition, effective parcel audit software guides shippers in addressing last-mile delivery issues and optimizes shipping methods.

Partner with us for the Audintel advantage

It is difficult understanding the complexities of UPS shipping rates, surcharges, and refund processes. Audintel has experts who have worked with shipping carriers like UPS and FedEx and have a thorough knowledge of these charges. We have an AI-powered platform that automatically checks UPS shipping invoices. Line-auditing of every invoice ensures that shippers recover their shipping costs. In addition, we have a team that pursues the billing mistakes with UPS so that clients do not lose even a single dollar due to unfair billing. Our customized shipping reports provide insights into shipping data. It also provides visibility of any hidden surcharges levied by UPS after the delivery of packages. By partnering with Audintel, shippers can cut shipping costs by making smarter shipping decisions.

Final thoughts

Parcel auditing is a time-consuming process. Companies do not have the time or the resources to manually audit shipping invoices. So, auditing UPS shipping invoices for individual packages is a big task, especially for a company shipping large volumes of parcels. Outsourcing parcel auditing to experts like Audintel helps companies claim refunds for UPS late deliveries. In addition, parcel audits provide greater visibility to shippers to reduce their shipping expenses. For more information about Audintel and our services, contact us at +1 (619) 354 8539 or visit our Audintel website.

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Our top reasons for FedEx and UPS return shipments

by BlogTSM Services

Since early 2020, there has been an increase in online shopping worldwide. Online shippers want same-day shipping. Shipping companies and parcel carriers are scrambling to meet customers’ expectations. Nonetheless, some shipments do not reach the customers on time. Also, FedEx and UPS may return the parcels due to numerous reasons. This article will explore our top reasons for FedEx and UPS returns.

Cause for return shipments

Customers will have no use for holiday gifts after the holiday season is over. In short, your customer would like to return these parcels to the senders. Sometimes,  parcel carriers return packages. Shipping carriers cite many reasons for return shipments. We, at Audintel, found these top reasons for UPS and FedEx returns.

Our top reasons for UPS and FedEx returns

Incorrect address

A misspelled customer’s address or a wrong apartment number is the cause of most return shipments. In addition, if the recipient of the package has moved to another location, the address needs an update. FedEx and UPS both levy a hefty surcharge for address correction. The software solutions offered by Audintel identify these address corrections for our clients.

Package delivery refused or unclaimed

A cause of return shipment is when the recipient refuses to accept the package. Also, the recipient reschedules the delivery of packages and does not pick them up within five business days. The parcel is termed unclaimed and returned to the sender. At times, customers cancel packages and refuse the delivery. As a consequence, shippers lose shipping costs.

Improper documentation

For domestic US shipments, documents like commercial invoices, shipping labels, and tracking labels are necessary. An error in the documentation is a cause for return shipment by FedEx and UPS carriers. Until the documents are verified and error-free, the packages will be held at the carriers’ distribution centers.

Customs clearance documentation for international shipments

For FedEx and UPS international shipments, documents such as certificate of origin, commercial invoice, electronic export information, shipping labels, packing list are necessary. If shippers miss any documents or provide unverified documents, the package is on hold at the customs. Improper paperwork is a cause for UPS as well as FedEx return shipments.

Lack of valid proof of identification

FedEx and UPS return happen due to invalid proof of identification of the recipient. A driver’s license or a passport can give valid proof of identification. Even if someone else is authorized to receive the packages, the recipient should have valid photo ID proof.

Delivery delay by parcel carriers

FedEx and UPS have to refund money to the shippers when there is a delay in delivering packages. The delay could be due to various reasons. The parcel carriers face many service failures. The request for a refund from the parcel carriers is a long process. Audintel can help shippers in this regard. We had discussed this topic in our earlier blogs.

Non-delivery of restricted items

Hazardous materials like lithium-ion batteries, chemicals, fresh food, uncut gems, ammunition, etc., are restricted items according to FedEx and Ups policies. These items will face returns from FedEx and UPS to the senders.

Closure of businesses

Many businesses have shut down or temporarily closed in the past two years. In such a situation, FedEx and UPS have faced many return shipments.

Processing error

If there is labeling or a scanning error by FedEx or UPS, it is known as a processing error. The packages are redirected to the sender due to processing errors by parcel carriers. Shippers can contact FedEx customer service or UPS customer service for further details.

Weather-related delays

Severe weather conditions cause a delay in shipments. There is a rescheduling of the shipment delays for the next business day delivery. Customers may cancel the order, and return shipments occur. It leads to loss for shippers. In addition, shippers are not eligible for Money-Back Guarantee (MBG) or Guaranteed Service Refund (GSR) due to weather-related delays.

What are FedEx and UPS return shipping solutions?

UPS Return shipping solutions

UPS offers several options to its customers to simplify return shipments. They offer the convenience of a pre-printed return label, which accompanies the package. UPS also gives UPS Electronic Return Label directly by email to the recipient. In addition, UPS drivers will collect the return shipment from the recipient’s address. UPS allows recipients to drop off return shipments at a UPS store without a label or a box.

FedEx Return shipping solutions

Just like UPS, FedEx has options to return a package. If the recipient has a label for the return shipment, they can drop off the packages at FedEx retail and contactless FedEx Drop Box locations. Even a QR code return label is sufficient to return the package at a FedEx drop off location nearby. Recipients can also create a return label on fedex.com for returning the parcels. In addition, FedEx’s global returns solutions help shippers improve customer loyalty and monitor their supply chain expenses.

How does Audintel help?

Audintel helps shipping companies by providing visibility of the return packages along with the reasons. Audintel reports help the shippers to analyze the return packages and take corrective measures for future shipments by avoiding the cost incurred on the return packages. Our dashboards provide the details of return packages based on the services also.

Final Remarks

Shipping companies need to make the return process as easy as the order process. Customers will prefer a company that gave a positive shopping experience, even returning a package. In addition, shippers will opt for the parcel carriers that make the return process easy for them and their customers. So, do you have a return shipment that needs our expertise, then contact us on how to go about it? For further advice and services, call us at +1 (619) 354 8539 or visit our Audintel website.