When shipping to remote regions, organizations, and individuals, the goal is to get resources to people in need. But if your partner on the ground isn’t fully prepared, that crate or container can quickly turn into a massive liability. Abandoned cargo isn’t just a waste of resources; the resulting storage fees (demurrage) can bankrupt a project before it even begins. When a shipment sits at port because the receiver can’t be reached or doesn’t have the right paperwork, fees and charges rack up and can quickly surpass the value of the goods themselves.
Vetting your consignee isn’t about being suspicious, it’s logistical insurance. You want to make sure that, when your container hits the dock, there is a real person on the other end with a plan, a phone, and a way to get those goods to the people who need them.
Before shipping to any new consignee, we recommend that you are fully aware and satisfied of their organization and legal status, experience and capability to meet your program needs, plans for any special requirements, budget to cover contingencies, and framework for communication with you and other integral parties.
We’ve prepared a handy checklist of questions below to cover the main topics. All shipments are unique, and not all of these questions need to be answered (or answered perfectly) in every case, but they can give you a general understanding of what to ask and expect.
Don’t be intimidated. Feel free to call or email us if you have any questions!
General Organizational Information
Experience and Reputation
Documentation and Planning
Costs, Fees and Budget
Communication, Fulfilment and Reporting
Final Thoughts
At the end of the day, consignee vetting isn’t about finding a “perfect” partner: it’s about finding a prepared one. In the world of relief work, obstacles like local bureaucracy, port strikes, or sudden regulation changes are almost guaranteed. The goal of this checklist isn’t to eliminate every risk, but to ensure that your partner on the ground has the resilience and the resources to navigate those challenges when they arise.
