28.05.2026

How to Verify a Carrier Before Shipping

Lost cargo, delivery delays, or damaged goods — these are not just inconveniences, they are direct financial losses and reputational risks. According to statistics, 15% of disputes in freight transportation arise from inadequate carrier verification. Spend 30 minutes on due diligence — or risk your shipment? The choice is obvious.

Why Verification Is Critical

When you hand over cargo to an unfamiliar carrier, you are entrusting them with your property and reputation. A single poor choice can lead to broken contracts, penalties, and loss of partner trust. In international shipping the situation is even more complex — legal proceedings across different jurisdictions, language barriers, and physical distance make resolving problems far more difficult.

Step 1: Registration Details and Legal Status

Verify the company in the Unified State Register: check the registration code, date of incorporation, legal address, and current status. A company operating for 5–10 years is more trustworthy than one registered last month. Make sure the company is not under liquidation or bankruptcy proceedings.

On Lardi-Trans, look for the “Profile Verified” badge — this confirms the account corresponds to a legitimately registered sole trader or LLC. It does not guarantee reliability, but it reduces the risk of a fake profile.

Step 2: Reviews and Rating in the Reliability Zone

The most valuable information comes from other shippers’ experience. Study the reviews in the carrier’s Lardi-Trans profile. Pay attention not only to the number of positive reviews but also to their content. A detailed review describing specific circumstances carries more weight.

Read both positive and negative reviews. Recurring complaints about delayed payment, cargo damage, or missed deadlines indicate systemic problems. Companies with the “Top Firms” badge are time-tested partners. Pay special attention to active complaints — if there are many, it is better to avoid working with them.

Step 3: Licenses, Permits, and Insurance

International transport requires a license and ECMT permits. Special cargo requires additional certificates: ADR for hazardous goods, sanitary certificates for food products. Request copies of documents and verify their expiry dates.

Always request a CMR insurance policy. Call the insurance company to confirm the policy is active — forgeries do occur. For high-value cargo, arrange additional cargo insurance.

Step 4: Fleet Condition

Ask for information about the vehicles: year of manufacture, technical condition, and GPS monitoring availability. Modern, regularly maintained equipment is less likely to break down, reducing the risk of delays. If possible, request photos of the specific vehicle.

GPS tracking is the standard for serious carriers. If it is absent or they refuse to provide access — that is suspicious. Ask about roadside assistance along the route in case of a breakdown.

Step 5: Financial Stability

Check for tax debts, enforcement proceedings, and court cases in public databases. A large number of unresolved obligations is a warning sign. Lardi-Trans reviews sometimes mention payment issues — this may indicate financial instability.

Step 6: Contact Previous Clients

Ask for the contacts of 2–3 previous clients and call them. A legitimate company will provide references without hesitation. Ask specific questions: were deadlines met, was there any damage, and how were disputes resolved?

Search for mentions of the company online — social media, forums, professional groups. Check industry portals for “blacklists” of unreliable carriers.

Step 7: Read the Contract Carefully

Read every clause of the contract. The following must be clearly specified: route, deadlines with exact dates, cost and payment terms, liability of each party, and insurance conditions. Vague wording — demand clarification.

Prepare a detailed handover act at the time of loading. Record the number of units, weight, packaging, and seals. Photograph the cargo — this becomes evidence in any dispute about damage.

Red Flags: When to Walk Away

Price significantly below market rate — if everyone quotes $5,000 but someone says $3,000, ask what corners are being cut.

Refusal to provide documents — “We have a license but don’t have it handy” or “I’ll send it tomorrow” are warning signs.

Pressure and urgency — “Decide now, the price changes tomorrow” is a manipulation tactic. Professionals never pressure clients.

Gut instinct — if something feels off, answers are vague, or questions are being dodged — trust your instincts.

How Lardi-Trans Helps with Verification

The Reliability Zone is a comprehensive system of reviews, ratings, and profile verification. Every company has a public profile with registration data, contacts, fleet details, and reviews. The rating is calculated by an algorithm that accounts for the reputation of reviewers, recency of cooperation, and speed of dispute resolution.

The complaints mechanism allows officially documenting a problem. A public complaint affects reputation, incentivizing prompt resolution of disputes.

Conclusion

Carrier verification is not a waste of time — it is an investment in security. Thirty minutes of due diligence can save hundreds of thousands in losses and months of stress.

Use all available tools together: registration data, reviews, documents, and references. The cheapest offer is not always the best deal — a lost shipment will cost far more.

Start with small orders. If a carrier successfully completes a few smaller runs, gradually increase volumes. Building trust incrementally minimizes risk.

Useful Lardi-Trans Tools: