Definition
Redelivery is a second (or later) attempt to deliver freight when the first attempt was not completed — due to receiver absence, refusal, wrong address, closed zone, or another documented cause.
If the first attempt’s “nobody was there” lives only in chat, the second trip is disputed forever.
Related: unload zone · delivery window · POD.
What it means in practice
It is not an invented new trip: it is a continuation of the same shipment with an associated cause and cost.
Without a photo, timestamp, or POD of the failed attempt, accounts payable cannot tell if the redelivery charge is fair.
Why it matters by role
| Role | Impact | Without a rule |
|---|---|---|
| Customer | Delayed freight | Complaint with no cause |
| Carrier | Cost of second trip | Disputed charge |
| Operations | Reschedule and capacity | Flooded dock |
| Accounts payable | Accessorial charge | Pays blind |
What must be written
| Field | Question | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Cause | Absence, refusal, zone? | Clear code |
| 1st-attempt evidence | Photo, GPS, signature? | Required |
| Who pays | Customer, shipper, carrier? | Contract |
| New window | When to retry? | Appointment |
| Rate | Flat fee or per km? | Written |
How to govern a redelivery in 5 steps
Log failure
Cause + evidence
Notify parties
Official channel
Reschedule
New window
Redeliver
Final POD
Audit charge
Before pay
Expensive mistakes
1.Redelivering without documenting the miss
The charge becomes opinion.
2.Not defining who pays
Margin disappears into argument.
3.Same impossible window the next day
You repeat the failure.
4.Mixing redelivery with return
Different flows and documents.
OCL and the trip file
OCL helps keep the failed attempt, new appointment, and charge in the same trip file before pay. OCL can stamp invoices and Carta Porte.
Sources and further reading
Key takeaways5 points
- Redelivery = a second (or later) delivery attempt when the first failed due to absence, refusal, bad address, or a closed window.
- It is a cost and a service risk: someone pays for the second trip and the customer waits longer.
- In Mexico define in the booking or contract: who absorbs the cost, how soon to reschedule, and evidence of the first attempt.
- Connect to unload zone, delivery window, and proof of delivery (POD).
- OCL records the failed attempt and reschedule in the trip file. OCL can stamp invoices and Carta Porte.
Are your redeliveries paid with evidence — or faith?
Frequently asked questions
A second delivery attempt when the first was not completed for a documented reason.
Depends on the contract: sometimes the consignee (absence), sometimes the shipper (address), sometimes shared. Write it down.
On-site timestamp, facade/door photo, driver note, and signed refusal if applicable.
No. A return sends freight back to origin; redelivery tries again to deliver to destination.
The first miss often counts as late or incomplete per your rule; redelivery may recover the customer but does not erase the metric.
It ties cause, evidence, and redelivery charge to the trip for a grounded dispute.