Ordered 100 Cartons but Received 98? How to Check Shipment Quantities Before Export
The order says:
100 cartons.
But the warehouse has only:
98 cartons.
Should the shipment leave?
Not yet.
Before products are shipped internationally, the expected quantity should match the goods physically received.
In this case, the supplier confirmed that the remaining two cartons were already on the way.
So the final status became:
98 cartons received + 2 cartons incoming = 100 cartons confirmed
This is a simple but important sourcing lesson:
A quantity difference does not always mean the supplier shipped less—but it should always be checked before export.
Why Should Buyers Check Carton Quantities?
An international order may pass through several stages:
Supplier → Local delivery → Warehouse → Freight forwarder → International shipment
A difference can happen at any stage.
For example:
The supplier sends the order in two deliveries.
Some cartons arrive later.
The warehouse records the wrong quantity.
The packing list was not updated.
The supplier actually shipped fewer cartons.
That is why buyers should compare what was expected with what physically arrived.
Compare Three Numbers
A simple quantity check should compare:
1. What Was Ordered?
Check the purchase order.
For example:
Expected: 100 cartons
2. What Did the Supplier Send?
Check the supplier's packing list or dispatch information.
For example:
Supplier says: 100 cartons shipped
3. What Did the Warehouse Receive?
Count the physical cartons.
For example:
Warehouse received: 98 cartons
Now there is a clear difference:
2 cartons need to be traced.
Do Not Immediately Assume the Supplier Made a Mistake
If the warehouse receives fewer cartons than expected, first investigate.
Possible situations include:
Split delivery
Cartons still in transit
Warehouse receiving error
Packing-list error
Actual supplier shortage
In this video, the final two cartons were already on the way.
So the order was not actually short.
It was only partially received.
Use Clear Order Status
Instead of simply writing:
“Goods received.”
a better warehouse status can be:
Expected: 100 cartons
Received: 98 cartons
Pending: 2 cartons
Status: Partially received
Then after the last cartons arrive:
Received: 100/100 cartons
Status: Complete
Specific numbers are much clearer than saying:
“Everything is okay.”
Why Should This Be Solved Before Shipping?
If 98 cartons are shipped and the final two are discovered later, the buyer may need:
Another pickup
Another shipment
Additional freight
Separate warehouse receiving
Extra coordination
It is usually easier to identify and resolve the difference while the goods are still in China.
That is why an in-China warehouse can act as an important checkpoint.
Carton Count Is Only the First Step
Receiving 100 cartons does not automatically prove that every product quantity is correct.
Depending on the order, buyers may also need to confirm:
Total product quantity
SKU breakdown
Colors or sizes
Labels
Packaging
Finished-product quality
At Youshow, our QC work focuses on finished products and can include agreed checks such as:
Appearance and workmanship
Quantity
Dimensions
Basic functions
Labels
Packaging
Final pre-shipment confirmation
What Should Buyers Ask Before Shipping?
Before the freight provider collects the goods, confirm:
How many cartons were expected?
How many cartons physically arrived?
Are any cartons still pending?
Has the final quantity been confirmed?
Is the packing list updated?
Are the goods ready for the next shipping stage?
The key is simple:
Expected quantity should match confirmed physical quantity before shipment.
A Simple Reconciliation Process
Use this workflow:
Purchase order
↓
Supplier packing list
↓
Supplier dispatch
↓
Warehouse receiving
↓
Check any difference
↓
Confirm complete quantity
↓
Release for shipment
In the video:
100 expected
↓
98 received
↓
2 cartons traced
↓
100/100 confirmed
↓
Ready for shipment
Conclusion
The order says 100 cartons.
The warehouse has 98.
Do not guess.
Check where the other two are.
In this case, they were already on the way, so the order could be completed before export.
That is the main lesson:
Resolve quantity differences before shipping—not after delivery.
About Youshow
Youshow is a Yiwu-based sourcing company helping global buyers source and manage products from China.
Our services include:
Product sourcing
Supplier comparison
Order follow-up
Yiwu warehouse receiving
Quantity confirmation
Finished-product quality inspection
Packaging and label checks
Multi-supplier consolidation
Worldwide shipping coordination
When supplier orders arrive at our Yiwu warehouse, our team can compare the expected shipment information with the physical goods received and follow up on quantity differences before the order moves to the next logistics stage.
Because if the order says:
100 cartons
the shipment should not quietly leave as:
98.
