There is no published standard for normal breakage in sanitaryware shipments. The rate depends on packing, loading, the route and the handling at both ends. Good packing and careful loading keep breakage low, but rarely at zero.
So the useful question is not what rate is normal, but what your contract allows and what happens when pieces arrive broken.
What causes breakage
- Weak cartons that collapse under the weight of the stack above.
- Too little foam or poorly fitted inserts, so the ceramic touches the carton wall.
- Gaps in the load that let cartons shift at sea or on the road.
- Rough handling at ports, inland depots and your own warehouse.
- Hairline cracks from the factory that open further in transit.
- Cartons stacked on their side or upside down.
How contracts set an allowance
- An agreed allowance: the contract states a level of breakage the buyer accepts without claim, and anything above it is replaced or credited.
- Free replacement: the factory ships replacement pieces in your next container at no charge.
- Extra pieces at loading: the factory adds a small number of spare units to the load to cover expected breakage.
- Evidence rules: the contract says what proof is needed, such as photos of the carton and piece, the container seal number and a survey report.
- Time limits: claims must be made within a set number of days from container opening.
Agreeing the number
The allowance is a commercial term, so negotiate it with each factory. Base it on the product mix, the packing you specify and your route. A factory that resists any allowance may not trust its own packing.
Penalties and remedies for breakage above the allowance belong in your contract with other quality terms. Our article on tile contract penalty clauses shows how to word them, and the same approach works for sanitaryware.
Cut breakage at the source
An allowance is a fallback, not a plan. Most breakage is decided before the container leaves the factory, so the cheapest fix is to control packing and loading there.
- Approve a sample carton, with inserts, before production packing starts.
- Ask for a drop or stacking check on a packed sample if the factory can run one.
- Have someone watch the loading and photograph each layer and the bracing.
- Reject cartons that are crushed, damp or re-taped before they go into the container.
Insurance
Cargo insurance can cover breakage beyond what the factory replaces, but many policies limit cover for breakage of fragile goods unless you arrange it specifically. Our guide on insurance for tile shipments explains the main clauses. Check with your insurer before the first shipment.
Hidden damage
Not every broken piece is obvious when the carton is opened. A hairline crack in a trapway may only show when the WC is installed and flushed. Your contract should cover hidden factory cracks found within a reasonable period, separately from transit breakage. Our guide on handling broken sanitaryware on arrival explains how to check.
Next step
We help you set breakage terms, check packing before loading, and supervise the load. To discuss your next shipment, book a free sourcing review.