You received damaged steel. You are angry. You take out your smartphone, snap a few blurry photos, and email the supplier: "Look! It's bad! Pay me!"
The supplier replies: "Rejected. Evidence insufficient."
Why? Because in international trade, "Bad Evidence = No Evidence."
Today, we learn how to take photos that act as a weapon in a dispute.
1. The 3-Step Photo Rule (Macro to Micro)
A random close-up of a scratch proves nothing. It could be from anywhere. You must tell a story with your camera.
| Step | What to Capture |
| 1. The Wide Shot (Context) |
Take a photo of the Container Number and the License Plate while the door is open. Prove that this cargo came from this container. |
| 2. The Medium Shot (Identity) |
Take a photo of the Steel Label / Tag (Heat No., Bundle No.) next to the damage. Prove that the damaged coil is the one on the Packing List. |
| 3. The Close-up (Defect) |
Now zoom in on the rust or dent. Crucial: Place a Ruler, Coin, or Pen next to the defect to show the Scale (Size). |
2. The "Newspaper Trick" (Proving the Date)
Digital timestamps can be edited. Insurance companies know this.
Pro Tip:
When taking photos of the damage, place a Local Newspaper from that day in the frame.
It is an undeniable proof of the date and location. It sounds old-fashioned, but it is legally powerful.
3. Sampling Strategy: Don't Kill the Evidence
Sometimes photos are not enough. You need to send a physical sample to a lab.
⚠️ Warning: Do NOT use a Gas Torch (Flame Cut).
If you cut the sample with heat, you change the chemical structure of the steel edge.
The lab test will fail, and the supplier will say: "You burned the steel, that's why it failed."
Correct Method:
- Always use Cold Cutting (Sawing or Waterjet).
- Mark the Rolling Direction on the sample.
- Keep a duplicate sample for yourself.
Final Advice
Treat every shipment like a crime scene.
Good photos and proper samples are not just "files." They are your Check.
We provide a full "Loading Report" with every shipment, so you have the perfect "Before" photos to compare with your "After" photos.
📉 Reference:
1. ASTM E1806, "Standard Practice for Sampling Steel".
2. SGS, "Visual Inspection Guide & Sampling Protocol".
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