FFreight and logistics
Freight and logistics, brought into the modern world.
Shipping still runs on PDFs, email threads, and spreadsheets. The reading, checking, and filing get automated, so documents land in the right place, duties are right before entry, and every invoice is audited before it's paid.
What's included
Documents read, checked, and filed without anyone retyping them.
- Shipping document intake and filing
- Bills of lading, packing lists, commercial invoices, and arrival notices scanned as they arrive, key fields extracted, and each file saved to the right shipment.
- HTS and duty verification
- HTS codes, values, and duty rates on every commercial invoice checked against your product master, with mismatches flagged before entry.
- Freight procurement
- Routing requests collected, RFQs sent to your forwarders, and quotes compared against your lane history, with one-click award.
- 3PL and freight invoice audits
- Every line on your 3PL and carrier invoices checked against your rate card, zone, and weight, with overcharges flagged for dispute. How the 3PL audit works
From an ongoing engagement with a consumer brand. Client name withheld under confidentiality.
Read the resultsYou probably need this if
- 3PL and carrier invoices get paid without a line-by-line check.
- Someone renames and files bills of lading and packing lists by hand.
- HTS codes and duty rates aren't checked until a broker or customs flags them.
- Freight quotes live in email, and nobody compares them to past lanes.
Questions about freight and logistics
How does an automated 3PL invoice audit work?
Each invoice is read line by line and checked against your contracted rate card and actual shipment activity. Anything that doesn't match is flagged, and the findings come back as one summary so your team can decide what to pay and what to dispute in a single sitting. See the full 3PL invoice audit
Can you check HTS codes and duties before entry?
Yes. HTS codes, declared values, and duty rates on each commercial invoice are checked against your product master, and mismatches are flagged before the entry is filed.
Do I need a new TMS or WMS?
No. The automation works with your 3PL, your forwarders, and the systems you already use, including Extensiv.
What should I look for in a consultant who builds AI workflows for freight quotes and shipping exceptions?
Look for someone who has run freight, not just written code. They should know forwarder documents, Incoterms, HTS and duty basics, and how a 3PL bills. Ask for a fixed scope, a human check on anything that moves money, work built on your existing systems and inbox, and logs and alerts so exceptions never fail silently. West Atlas is run by an operator with ten years in CPG finance and operations, and its 3PL audit work found $50K in overcharges.
Does this only work for CPG brands?
No. West Atlas grew out of CPG, but the same work shows up anywhere physical products move: wholesale, distribution, e-commerce, and light manufacturing. If your team handles purchase orders, freight, inventory, or channel reporting, it fits.
Start with one workflow, or the whole line.
Book 30 minutes and bring the job that costs your team the most hours. You'll get an honest read on whether it's a good fit and roughly what it would cost.
or email patrickmetz@westatlas.io