Quick answer: Give the provider a complete shipment brief, ask for written scope and test whether the answers you receive are specific to your cargo and route, not generic.
Prepare one complete enquiry
Before contacting any provider, prepare a single brief that covers everything needed for an accurate assessment. This includes the cargo description and quantities, origin location in Nigeria, full destination address, approximate weight and dimensions, and any special conditions such as temperature sensitivity, battery-powered items or regulated products.
A company that can respond accurately to a complete brief is demonstrating something real about its capability. A company that gives you a price before asking these questions is not.
Ask these five questions
When you receive a response, test whether it answers the following:
- Is the cargo accepted on this service and route?
- What does the quote include from handover to final delivery?
- What documents are needed from you and from the recipient?
- What is the estimated window and when does it begin?
- What is the process when there is a delay or a problem?
A reliable provider answers all five specifically. Vague or deflected answers on any one of these are relevant to your assessment.
Check the contact trail
Confirm that there is a consistent and reachable contact point for your booking from the day you enquire to the day the goods are delivered. Ask who your contact is and how to reach them if the main number is unavailable.
Tianah has offices at No 5, Gbagi Robinson, Ajao Estate, Lagos and at 12 Agip Road, Royal Plaza, Port Harcourt. The shared business contacts are available on the contact page. Confirm the contact arrangement for your specific booking before you commit.
Assess specialist claims
If a provider says it specialises in your cargo type or route, ask what that means specifically. Does it have carrier relationships on that route? Does it have cold-chain capacity if you need it? Does it have experience processing the documentation your cargo requires?
Specific answers indicate genuine capability. If the answer is a general reassurance without specifics, ask for an example or ask for the name of the carrier or partner used on that route.
Read evidence in context
Reviews and testimonials tell you how past customers experienced a service. They do not tell you how the company handles your cargo type or your route. Read them as background context, not as a substitute for direct assessment.
If you have a contact in your industry who has shipped on the same route, ask about their experience directly. First-hand accounts from comparable shipments carry more weight than general reviews.
Agree how problems will be handled before they happen
Before booking, ask what the process is if goods are delayed, damaged or lost. Ask who is responsible at each stage and how you will be notified. A provider who can explain this clearly before you commit is more reliable than one who addresses it only after a problem occurs.
Get the answer in writing as part of the quote or booking confirmation.
Confirm before handover
Before handing over any cargo, confirm in writing that the goods are accepted, the route is confirmed and the booking is active. Do not assume that a verbal agreement or a quote request constitutes a confirmed booking.
Ensure the packing list matches the declared contents exactly. Any discrepancy between the declared goods and the actual contents creates risk at every stage of the journey.
Frequently asked questions
What is the most useful first check when assessing a logistics company?
Ask whether the company can ship your specific cargo on your specific route. A company that cannot confirm acceptance and route coverage for your actual shipment before you ask anything else is not a useful option for that booking.
Does a physical office address prove every shipping capability the company claims?
No. An office confirms a physical presence. It does not confirm that the company has carrier relationships on your route, can handle your cargo type or has the documentation support your shipment needs. Verify capabilities separately.
What should I keep after confirming a booking?
Keep the written quote with its stated scope, the confirmed packing list or inventory, the booking reference and any agreed terms about updates, timelines and what happens if there is a problem. Do not rely on verbal agreements for a shipment.
Discuss your shipment
Send Tianah your shipment details. The team will confirm whether the service accepts your cargo, advise on documentation and give you a written quote with scope.