Freight claim

« Back to Glossary Index

A freight claim is a formal request made by a consignee, or possibly a shipper or third party to a carrier for financial compensation due to cargo damage or loss during transit.
It serves as a documented notification to the carrier that compensation is sought for the value of the impacted goods, typically based on terms outlined in the shipping contract or governing regulations.
The process requires detailed documentation, including the transport document, photos, damage reports, and proof of value, to substantiate the claim. While thorough documentation strengthens your case, filing within the carrier’s specified tolerance window is critical to avoid rejection.

Learn more about effective freight claim management in our detailed article.

A step-by-step process for freight claims. The freight claims steps are as follows:
1.Receive cargo – first visual inspection: Perform an initial visual inspection upon receiving the cargo to check for any obvious signs of damage.
2.Check goods (quantity, description) against packing list: Verify that the quantity and description of the goods match the packing list.
Inspect all packages for damages or tampering: Conduct a detailed inspection of packages showing signs of damage or tampering.
3.Set aside all (suspected of) damaged packages: Separate any packages suspected of being damaged from the rest.
4.Take photographs of the set aside packages: Document the condition of the damaged packages by taking photographs.
5.(If feasible/safe) Open packages for internal inspection: Open the packages to inspect the contents if it is feasible and safe to do so.
6.Inspect the contents: Thoroughly inspect the contents of the packages for any internal damage.
7.Document any actual damage: Record all details of the damage found during the inspection.
8.Report the damages & submit freight claim: Report the damages to the carrier and shipper and submit a freight claim.
9.Follow up & corrective action: Follow up on the claim process and implement corrective actions to prevent future occurrences.
This image provides a clear and structured visual representation of the key steps involved in managing damaged cargo and freight claims.

« Back to Logistics glossary
Scroll to Top