Transport inspection reports are generally valid only for the year they're issued (a very small number are single-use, usually noted on the cover), so the first check is the expiry date. From there: confirm the specific airline or shipping line actually recognizes the issuing inspection body; cross-check the report's product name, model, and description against the actual goods; and for products with multiple variants — e-cigarettes or inks in different flavors/colors, for example — expect that separate reports may be required for each. Some cargo terminals also require the report to include photos of the goods.
Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS), required for sensitive cargo like batteries or liquids and not interchangeable with a transport inspection report, follow a similar validity check: confirm the issue date is current against the applicable IATA DGR edition for the year (an MSDS built on an outdated DGR edition may not be accepted), confirm the language is English or bilingual English/Chinese (Chinese-only MSDS are often rejected), and review Section 14 (Transport Information) specifically for any transport restrictions or limitations flagged for that product.
