6 Unexpected Ways to Increase Cargo Claim Success

From the moment a container is delivered damaged, cargo claim recovery is a negotiation. Fresh produce exporters are often caught off guard—not by the incident itself, but by the complexity, pushback, and cold responses they receive from shipping lines.

At Recoupex, we’ve distilled our field-tested experience into this guide to help you influence the process, communicate with leverage, and turn frustrating claims into real recoveries.

Here are six unexpected strategies to help you succeed.

1️⃣ Demonstrate Your Knowledge

You don’t have to agree with the shipping line to understand where they’re coming from. Claim handlers deal with floods of vague emails and aggressive demands. Stand out by showing tactical empathy:

“You probably deal with hundreds of claims that don’t meet basic requirements. I want to make sure my claim doesn’t waste your time.”

Know your rights and do not beg the carrier to disclose their data logger. They never do.  Use the evidence you have to prove the carrier’s liability for the damage when they push back with procedural excuses.

2️⃣ Distinguish Yourself

Most exporters sound the same in their emails: long explanations, scanned documents, 59 attachments, and a passive-aggressive tone. Don’t be another PDF in the pile. Instead, use short, clear, human messages. Bullet points.

3️⃣ Address the Negatives

Yes, you might not have informed the carrier about the damage within 3 days, yes, you might be missing one loading report. Learn how to address the most typical carriers’ rejections and still be able to push the settlement discussion forward.

4️⃣ Don’t Waste Their Time

Skip the long backstory. Assume they’re skimming. Use bullet points. Get to the point:

• Arrival date: March 2, 2025
• Damage noted by port: Yes
• Photos submitted: Attached
• Claim amount: $8,540

Then ask: “Is there anything missing from our side to move this forward?”

5️⃣ Remind the Facts

Summarize their position better than they can. “Both parties agree that the root cause of the damage is water ingress from the hole in the container. Loading report proves that the container was in sound condition before loading and the cargo was dry”.  

6️⃣ Don’t assume you are a VIP

Most exporters fire off a claim with the demand upfront: “We expect full compensation within 14 days.”

Instead, follow with facts, and end with: “We have an interest in solving this matter amicably without legal costs escalating?”

It’s not weakness—it’s strategy. You’re framing the solution as shared.

You don’t need PhD in Maritime Law to win cargo claims. You need business knowledge, legal knowledge, and persistence.

At Recoupex, we believe genuine, supported with evidence, cargo claims should be paid by liable parties. Start with these six tactics, and if you need backup, you know where to find us.