How to use audited data in parcel logistics to make informed decisions

In our previous article, we explored how parcel audits help identify and reclaim shipping costs—whether due to invalid charges or service failures like late deliveries. But what happens once the audit is complete and the data is in your hands?

This is where the real impact begins. 

A skilled freight audit and payment (FAP) partner doesn’t just hand you a spreadsheet. They normalize, structure and analyze the raw carrier data to uncover trends, cost-saving opportunities, and operational blind spots.  

The result? Actionable intelligence you can use to optimize decisions across your supply chain.

From Data to action: how parcel audit results drive change

Once audit findings are delivered, shippers can use the insights in several ways: 

• Recoup invalid charges and shipping errors
• Evaluate carrier performance and billing accuracy
• Strengthen future contract negotiations
• Make smarter decisions about inventory placement
• Prevent repeat billing discrepancies through internal controls

Let’s walk through a few of these use cases.

1. Reclaim costs and improve carrier accountability

Audited data helps validate and recover charges for services that were either incorrectly applied or never fulfilled.

Examples include:

1. Address corrections: A carrier may apply a fee for a correction that wasn’t necessary or accurate.
2. Lost packages: Shipments never delivered can be claimed for reimbursement.
3. Service failures: Deliveries outside the guaranteed timeframe may be eligible for a refund.

Repeated errors by a specific carrier can point to systemic issues, giving you reason to reevaluate your provider mix or renegotiate contract terms. Audit results also allow you to benchmark each carrier’s performance and hold them accountable to agreed SLAs and discount levels.

2. Spot commonly overlooked opportunities (like Zone Jump discounts)

A well-known example is FedEx Ground and Home Delivery Zone Jump Shipping—a cost-saving strategy where consolidated shipments are forwarded closer to the final destination zone before the carrier takes over last-mile delivery.

Although Zone Jump is becoming more popular within FedEx, many shippers are unaware it exists—meaning they miss out on valuable discounts. Audit findings often reveal this gap and help shippers update agreements to capture the savings.

Knowing which services you're using (and whether discounts are being applied correctly) gives you leverage in contract discussions and ensures you’re not leaving money on the table.

3. Use data to rethink inventory location strategy

Audited shipment data can expose patterns such as high-volume routes or recurring long-distance shipments, that make a strong case for repositioning inventory.

With major carriers like UPS and FedEx applying zone-based surcharges (especially for larger parcels and additional handling), even a few extra miles can cost you. A shipping distance difference of just one or two zones can add $3–$6 per package—a serious financial impact at scale.

Relocating stock to optimize shipping zones can drive long-term savings and increase delivery speed.

4. Ensure discounts are applied to the right accounts

When companies operate under multiple business entities, audit data can uncover misapplied or missing discounts.

For example:

A carrier may accidentally link a shipping account to the wrong entity or fail to associate it with your master agreement altogether. Audits highlight these mismatches and provide documentation you can use to request corrections and backdated savings.

Once identified, these issues can also be addressed with internal controls, such as centralized account management or automated alerts.

5. Build a roadmap for long-term savings

Beyond immediate cost recovery, audited data can guide forecasting and strategic planning.

With the right FAP partner, you can:

1. Project year-over-year savings
2. Identify recurring discrepancies
3. Prioritize contract improvements
4. Set performance benchmarks with internal and external partners

The key is collaboration—between your internal teams and your audit provider—to translate data into a clear, practical action plan.

Smarter decisions, powered by audit intelligence

Parcel audits do more than flag errors. They give you a deeper understanding of your shipping behavior, your carrier relationships, and your operational inefficiencies.

At Infios, we help shippers turn audit data into confident, well-informed decisions - from contract negotiations to inventory planning. By reducing recurring billing errors and identifying opportunities others miss, our Freight Audit Payment Solutions team empowers logistics leaders to gain control, cut costs, and scale smarter.

Because in today’s environment, every shipping decision matters and every data point counts.