GlossaryEN1 min readUpdated: Jun 26, 2026

Over shipment

An over shipment occurs when the quantity of goods actually delivered exceeds the amount specified in the purchase order or sales contract.

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Last updated: 26 June 2026Published: 27 January 2026

Source: https://www.apics.org/apics-for-professionals/glossary

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Definition & Explanation

An over shipment occurs when the quantity of goods actually delivered exceeds the amount specified in the purchase order or sales contract. Common causes include minimum packaging increments (such as full carton quantities), measurement tolerances for bulk or liquid goods, and picking errors by the shipper. Commercial contracts often define an acceptable over-delivery threshold; quantities above that limit may be rejected by the consignee, returned at the shipper's expense, or subject to a price adjustment. In customs practice, an over shipment can create a discrepancy between the declared and the actual value of goods, potentially triggering post-clearance amendments or additional duty assessments. It should not be confused with excess cargo weight, which is a transport-law category rather than a commercial one.

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Over shipment

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Related Terms

Shipment

shipment registration process

Goods shipment

shipment packaging

Electronic Shipment Reconciliation

Post-Shipment Control

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