Receiving, Inspecting and Storing Stone Deliveries on Site

When a container of Turkish marble, travertine, limestone, granite or onyx arrives on site, the way it is received, inspected and stored has a direct impact on the success of the entire project. Even if the material has been carefully selected from Turkey’s quarries and processed by a reliable stone exporter, poor handling on site can lead to damage, claims and delays.

This guide proposes a practical, checklist-based approach to receiving and storing natural stone deliveries. It should be used together with: Reading a Marble or Travertine Packing List, Crates, Bundles & Pallets: Packing Systems for Natural Stone and Best Practices for Storing Natural Stone on Construction Sites.

1. Preparation Before the Container Arrives

Before your natural stone shipment of marble slabs, travertine tiles or limestone façade panels reaches the project, make sure that:

• The site team has copies of the proforma invoice and packing list.
• There is a clear, level area ready for placing the crates, bundles and pallets.
• Forklifts, cranes or pallet jacks are available with sufficient capacity for heavy stone.
• Temporary shelter or covers are planned, especially for polished marble and moisture-sensitive stones.

These steps should be coordinated in line with your Project Timelines for International Stone Supply and the original order you placed with your Turkish natural stone supplier.

2. Checking Container Condition on Arrival

When the container reaches site, perform a quick external inspection before opening:

• Check the container number against the shipping documents and packing list.
• Look for visible damage, holes or signs of impact on the container walls and doors.
• Verify that the seal number matches the bill of lading; photograph seals before opening.

Any major dents or broken seals should be documented with photos and reported immediately to your logistics provider and stone exporter. This evidence is important if there is later a claim related to damaged marble or travertine.

3. Unloading Crates, Bundles and Pallets

Once the container door is opened, the first step is safe unloading. Typical loads include: crates of travertine tiles, bundles of marble slabs, pallets of cut-to-size steps and risers, or A-frames with granite worktops.

• Use forklifts or cranes with appropriate lifting capacity and fork length.
• Lift crates and bundles from the base; never pull or drag them across the container floor.
• Ensure slings and clamps are suitable for stone and are correctly positioned.

For an overview of different packing and lifting configurations for Turkish stone, see Container Loading Methods for Slabs and Tiles.

4. Matching Deliveries with the Packing List

As soon as crates and bundles are unloaded, cross-check them against the packing list:

• Confirm that all crate, bundle and pallet numbers are present.
• Check that each package is labeled with stone name (for example, Afyon White marble, Noce travertine, Limra limestone) and thickness.
• Record any missing or heavily damaged packages and photograph them.

Detailed crate-by-crate review is explained in Reading a Marble or Travertine Packing List. This process is essential whether you are receiving white marble for hotel lobbies, travertine for pool decks or basalt paving for urban streetscapes.

5. Initial Quality Inspection on Site

After verifying the quantities, perform a first-round visual inspection of the natural stone:

• Open a sample of crates and bundles from different parts of the shipment.
• Check color and veining consistency against your approved marble or travertine samples.
• Inspect edges, corners and faces for chips, cracks, excessive resin or patching.
• Confirm that finishes (polished, honed, brushed, tumbled) match your specification.

This is the right moment to compare the delivered material with any mock-ups and reference samples defined during the design stage, as described in Working with Reference Samples, Mock-Ups and Approvals.

6. Recording Defects and Nonconformities

If there are visible issues, such as cracked marble tiles, heavily filled travertine or large color variations outside the agreed range, record them carefully:

• Photograph defects with crate numbers and piece counts.
• Note whether defects are isolated or systematic in the shipment.
• Segregate defective pieces to avoid accidental installation.

Many of these nonconformities fall into the categories described in Common Defects in Marble & Travertine and How to Avoid Them. Clear documentation will help your Turkish stone supplier and the factory respond quickly.

7. Safe and Correct Storage on Site

Proper storage protects Turkish marble, travertine, limestone and granite from moisture, impact and staining before installation:

• Place crates and bundles on level, stable ground with adequate load-bearing capacity.
• Keep polished marble and onyx away from direct rain and standing water.
• Allow airflow around packages; avoid wrapping stone tightly in non-breathable plastic.
• Store slabs on A-frames or racks with a safe leaning angle and secure supports.

For detailed guidance, see Best Practices for Storing Natural Stone on Construction Sites and Moisture-Sensitive Stones and Container Ventilation. Good storage practices are just as important as correct installation.

8. Coordination With the Installation Sequence

Once the stone is safely stored, plan how it will be released to installers:

• Group crates by area (for example, guest room floors, lobby walls, exterior cladding).
• Mark priority pallets needed for early works, such as bathrooms and staircases.
• Keep a clear record of which crates have already been opened and partially used.

Align this plan with your interior design and façade drawings, as discussed in How to Specify Natural Stone in Architectural Drawings and the overall Checklist for Successful Marble and Natural Stone Projects .

9. Working With Atlas Natural Stones, Inc.

Atlas Natural Stones, Inc. supports clients not only with sourcing Turkish marble, travertine, limestone, granite and onyx, but also with practical documentation for smooth delivery on site. Packing lists, crate photos and clear labeling help your team check, inspect and store stone efficiently.

If you are planning a new project, you can explore our Products, review the article How to Order from Atlas Natural Stones, Inc., or contact us directly through the contact page with your stone schedule and drawings.