How to Inspect a Delivery for Shipping Damage

Why the seconds before you sign matter

The delivery receipt is your first line of defense. In many freight arrangements, signing for a shipment confirms that the goods look intact, so any damage you note on the receipt before you sign becomes evidence you can use later. Skipping the check does not speed up delivery, it just moves the debate from the driveway to a claims process. For a quick look at the whole delivery flow, see what to expect when a sauna arrives.

You have three jobs at the curbside: look for visible damage, write down what you see, and photograph everything. The steps below take only a few minutes and work for any type of sauna, whether it is a traditional cabin, a heater, an infrared unit, or a steam generator. If something is wrong, you will be glad you documented it before the driver left.

Pallet and outer packaging: what to look for

Start with the pallet. Wooden skids can crack or split during forklift handling, and a broken pallet can shift the load during the final part of the trip. Check each stringer and deck board for splits, missing nails, or fresh dent marks. Look at the bottom of the carton or crate: any dark stain or pooling liquid can mean a heater tank, a steam generator reservoir, or a bottle of cleaning fluid leaked, and the leak may have reached the product.

Then work your way around the outside of the box. The checklist below covers the most common signs of rough transit. For details on how the delivery itself is arranged, see curbside versus inside delivery.

• Forklift tine holes: deformed or torn cardboard around the holes suggests rough handling
• Corner crush: collapsed corners on a carton often mean the box was dropped on end
• Resealed tape: fresh tape over older tape, or tape that is cut and re-applied, can indicate the box was opened in transit
• Wet marks: dark spots, rust streaks, or moisture on the wood or cardboard
• Puncture holes: any opening large enough to admit a finger can also admit moisture or pests

Open the packing and check the unit itself

Once the packaging is off, give yourself a clean, flat area to spread the parts. For a sauna cabin, go through each wall panel and bench, feel the panel edges for splinters, check screw holes for cracks, and confirm the tongue-and-groove joints are intact. For a heater, look at the shell for dents, the power cord for cuts or scraped insulation, and the stone basket for bent metal.

For a steam generator, follow the same visual clues a technician would use indoors. Amerec's maintenance guidance asks owners to inspect for water leaks, look at the wiring for signs of overheating, and check all connections for tightness. At delivery you cannot open the unit, but you can look at the outer case, the water inlet and outlet fittings, and the control cable for signs of impact or moisture. The same idea applies to infrared panels: check the emitter surface for cracks, the frame for warping, and the glass door if the cabin has one.

What to write on the delivery receipt

A vague note such as 'damage' does not help you later. Write the location, the size, and the likely cause. For example: 'right side of pallet, carton corner crushed, inner panel scratched' or 'heater shell dented near the power cord inlet, cable sheathing scuffed.' Include the date, the time, and the driver's name if it is readable. If the driver refuses to let you write on the delivery document, photograph the screen or the paper and note the refusal in a message to the seller.

The table below shows how to turn what you see into something useful on paper.

Certification labels and model numbers

Before you sign, take a minute to read the labels on the unit. Find the model number, serial number, voltage, wattage, and any safety certification marks. The serial number is what you will need for warranty registration; MrSteam, for example, links its limited lifetime warranty to residential installations and registration. Write the serial number down before the driver leaves.

Safety marks matter too. Intertek explains that the ETL Listed Mark shows a product has been independently tested and certified by a Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory to applicable safety standards. You may see similar marks from other NRTL organizations. For an explanation of what a UL listing involves, see what a sauna UL listing means. For a traditional heater, compare the voltage and wattage on the label with what your electrician prepared. Cleveland Clinic's sauna guidance lists traditional saunas at 150 to 195 degrees Fahrenheit and infrared units at 110 to 135 degrees Fahrenheit, so a heater control that falls far outside that range is worth questioning. For infrared panels, if the label carries an EMF claim, the National Cancer Institute describes low to mid frequency EMF as non-ionizing radiation, and you can compare the wording with what the seller promised.

Damage found: accept, refuse, or document

If the damage is serious, such as a cracked door glass, a bent heater frame, or a leaking water line, you can refuse the shipment and let the driver take it back. If the damage is cosmetic, a dent or a scratch that does not affect assembly, accepting on paper with a clear note is usually the simpler path. In both cases, take photographs from several angles before the truck leaves.

Keep the delivery receipt, the packing list, and the outer carton until the matter is resolved. The carton and foam are part of the evidence because the seller will ask how the damage happened. Contact the seller promptly, ideally on the same day, with photos and a description that matches what you wrote on the receipt. If a part is missing rather than damaged, the same documentation helps when you request a replacement; see missing parts and replacement claims. For a detailed response after you discover damage, see damaged delivery: what to do.

After the driver leaves

Even a clean inspection can hide problems. Store the sauna on the pallet or on a level surface, keep it dry, and do not stack anything on top of it. A cabin that sits in a damp garage for weeks can develop mold before you assemble it, so follow the storage advice in storing a sauna before assembly.

During assembly, you may find a subtle issue that was not visible at first glance, a warped board, a stripped screw hole, or a small crack that appears once the panel is lifted. That is normal. Document it then, contact the seller, and keep the photos for your records.

What to pick for your use

Questions

The driver says no time to check; can I sign anyway?

You can, but write 'not inspected' or 'signature does not confirm condition' on the receipt if the driver will allow it. Photograph the outside of the packaging and the pallet before the truck leaves. Then contact the seller immediately to inform them of the situation. This documentation can support a later claim if hidden damage appears during unpacking.

I saw a small tear in the carton but no visible damage. Should I still note it?

Yes. Write something like 'small tear on left side near the top' even if you cannot see damage inside. Small tears can let in moisture during transit, and a note on the receipt preserves your ability to claim later if you find a wet panel or mold.

What should I do if the delivery driver refuses to wait while I inspect?

You have the right to perform a reasonable inspection. If the driver leaves before you finish, mark the receipt with 'received without inspection' and photograph the timestamp. Then unpack and inspect immediately. Document any damage with photos and notify the seller within 24 hours. Keep all packaging until the claim is resolved.

Do I need to keep the original box after accepting the delivery?

Keep the outer carton, pallet, and all foam or padding until you have fully assembled the sauna and confirmed it works. Many sellers require the original packaging for damage claims or returns. For warranty issues, serial numbers and the delivery receipt are usually sufficient, but the box helps prove how the product was packed.

Should I refuse delivery if the heater has a small dent?

A small cosmetic dent that does not affect operation can usually be accepted with a clear note on the receipt. However, if the dent is in the heater shell near electrical components, or if the power cord is frayed, refuse or request a replacement. Electrical safety standards are important, and a damaged cord can be a fire hazard.

What if I find damage after the driver leaves?

Take photos immediately, keep the packaging, and contact the seller and the freight company as soon as possible. Many shippers require notification within 24 to 48 hours of delivery. Your delivery receipt with a 'received without inspection' note can help your case. Even without that note, you can still file a claim if you have clear evidence the damage was hidden. For a step-by-step guide, see damaged delivery: what to do.