CastleGate Inbound Shipment: Receiving Process, Costs, And Common Fees

A supplier shipment sent into a CastleGate fulfillment center for storage and future order fulfillment.

CastleGate Inbound Shipment A supplier shipment sent into a CastleGate fulfillment center for storage and future order fulfillment. The receiving process at CastleGate includes staged verification steps and can generate specific fees when additional handling or corrections are required.

Understanding how CastleGate receives and bills inbound shipments helps merchants manage landed costs and avoid surprises. Typical cost drivers include basic receiving, inspection labor, pallet handling, repacking, and shortages or overage reconciliation. Clear expectations about what triggers fees reduce disputes and improve cash flow forecasting.

Standard Receiving Steps Carried Out By CastleGate

When a shipment arrives, CastleGate performs an initial check: verify shipment identity and carrier paperwork, confirm appointment slot, scan pallet and carton labels, and compare received quantities against the ASN and packing list. If there are no issues, CastleGate accepts the shipment and assigns inventory locations in the WMS for picking.

Fees That Often Apply To Inbound Shipments

• Standard Receiving Fee: A baseline charge per pallet or per carton for unloading and scanning into the system.
• Inspection Or Overage/Shortage Fee: Applied when additional counting or investigation is required due to discrepancies between ASN and actual contents.
• Repack Or Labeling Fee: Charged when cartons need relabeling, resealing, or repackaging to meet CastleGate’s standards.
• Storage Accessorials: Fees for long pallets, odd-sized items, or pallets that require specialized handling equipment.

When Additional Charges Are Triggered

Charges beyond the standard receiving fee are typically tied to exceptions or extra labor. Examples include shipments arriving without an ASN, mixed-SKU pallets without a manifest, damaged cartons that need triage, or shipments delivered outside scheduled appointment windows. In some contracts, failure to meet labeling or packaging requirements creates per-carton chargebacks.

Inspection And Disposition Procedures

If the received goods do not match the paperwork or are damaged, CastleGate documents the condition with photos and a variance report, then follows the merchant’s pre-authorized disposition rules: accept with adjustment, quarantine for review, or return-to-supplier. Each disposition path has cost implications, such as return freight or quarantine storage fees.

Minimizing Costs: Practical Steps For Merchants

• ASN Accuracy: Submit accurate ASNs to avoid inspection fees and reduce receiving time.
• Label Compliance: Adhere to CastleGate label placement and barcode quality standards to avoid relabeling charges.
• Pallet Quality: Ship on stable pallets within weight and height limits to prevent special handling fees.
• Appointment Adherence: Deliver within agreed appointment windows to avoid detention or outside-delivery surcharges.

Example Fee Scenarios

Scenario A — Smooth Delivery: A 5-pallet LTL arrives with an accurate ASN and correct labels. CastleGate charges standard receiving and the pallets are putaway same day. Scenario B — Mixed Pallet Without Manifest: A mixed pallet arrives without documentation; CastleGate must count cartons, causing an inspection fee and a delayed putaway. Scenario C — Damaged On Arrival: Several cartons show transit damage; CastleGate documents the damage, charges inspection labor, and awaits merchant disposition, potentially billing for quarantine storage if not immediately resolved.

Contract Terms And Who Pays

Responsibility for inbound fees is governed by the service agreement between the merchant and CastleGate. Most contracts specify which accessorials are billable to the merchant and which are absorbed by CastleGate (for example, carrier-caused damage may be pursued with the carrier rather than billed to the merchant). Review your SLA and inbound requirements carefully to understand liability for returns, damage, and extra handling.

Audit And Dispute Best Practices

When a fee is charged that you believe is incorrect, request the receiving variance report, photos, and timestamped scans. Maintain your supplier packing confirmations and ASNs as evidence. Timely dispute resolution (within contract windows) is easier if documentation from both sides is available — CastleGate’s receiving photos and scan logs often resolve disagreements quickly.

In short, the CastleGate Inbound Shipment triggers a standard receiving flow and may generate additional charges when exceptions occur. Merchants that enforce ASN discipline, label compliance, reliable palletization, and appointment scheduling will reduce fees, speed inventory availability, and improve the overall cost-effectiveness of CastleGate’s fulfillment services.