Cargo claims – what evidence is needed?

Nobody wants to hear the word “cargo claim” when it comes to shipping, in fact it’s probably the dirtiest word in shipping jargon! 

But… Sometimes “ship” happens and, if you are involved in cargo transportation, at some point you will be forced to handle a claim, so it’s wise to be prepared!

Here is the 1, 2, 3 of what needs to be proved when you are facing your first claim… 

1. Picked up in good condition
2. Delivered in damaged condition
3. Resulted in specific amount of damages

Picked up in good condition

This can be proved by the shipper or third party stuffing company by simply taking photos during the container stuffing process with their smart phone! Keep the photos until after the cargo has been delivered and the consignee has confirmed that the goods have arrived in good order, or if cargo damaged happened en route to final destination, the consignee will require the photos as part of the evidence to be submitted to the carrier.

2. Delivered in damaged condition

This can be proved, once again with photos or video using a smart phone. The photos of the extent of the damages can then be compared to the photos taken by the shipper at the time of stuffing. Remember to link the damaged cargo to the container by capturing the damages and the container number in one photo!

3. Resulted in specific amount of damages

Cargo receiver doesn’t need to be a mathematical genius or licensed surveyor to calculate the extent of loss! Below is a simple breakdown of how to calculate your claim value:

These are 3 essential evidence gathering steps to recover cargo losses from liable carriers and settle your claims much faster. Applying these tips will make you stand out head and shoulders above the rest of the shippers in the cargo claims pool. I know because these are the things I looked for when I worked for the shipping line and these are exactly the things Recoupex team present to carriers now to settle claims on behalf of hundreds of exporters and importers Globally.

I can assure you that these tips work if you make the commitment and do the work.

Let us know what helps you to settle your cargo claims at info@recoupex.com