Protect the evidence.
Prepare the claim.

What to do after a cargo loss

The first priority is safety and preventing further damage where practical. Then build a clear record of the goods, the shipment and the steps taken. This checklist is an organizing aid, not a substitute for the instructions and deadlines in your policy or transportation documents.

Ticking an item does not send a notice, submit a claim or confirm that a requirement has been satisfied. Your checklist selections remain in this page and reset when you reload it.

1. Protect people and prevent further loss
   Take reasonable, safe steps to protect remaining goods. Record mitigation work and costs. Obtain appropriate instructions for hazardous, contaminated or perishable cargo.
2. Photograph the condition
   Capture the goods, packaging, pallets, seals, container or vehicle and identifying labels. Keep original image files and record when and where the damage was discovered.
3. Notify the relevant parties promptly
   Follow the policy and transport documents. Notice to the insurer may be separate from notice to the carrier, broker, warehouse or other party. Keep written confirmations.
4. Keep transport and delivery records
   Gather the bill of lading or air waybill, booking information, freight invoices, delivery receipt, receiving notes and any damage exceptions. Include container and seal numbers.
5. Establish what was shipped and its value
   Save commercial invoices, packing lists, purchase records and inventory counts. Collect repair estimates, replacement quotations and testing results where relevant.
6. Preserve the goods, packaging and technical evidence
   Keep affected items and packing materials when safe and practical. Retain inspection reports, temperature logs, security records and handling histories. Coordinate before disposal or salvage.
7. Collect the policy and claim correspondence
   Find the policy or certificate, endorsements, claim number and insurer communications. Include denial letters, offers, surveys and requests for additional information.
8. Write a concise loss timeline
   List origin, transfer points, delivery, discovery and notices. Identify the current cargo location, people involved, estimated loss and urgent unresolved questions.

You do not need every document to call

Start with what you know. Julio can discuss the cargo, the apparent damage, the policy relationship and the status of any claim. Identify missing information and who may hold it, including the shipper, carrier, warehouse, broker or surveyor.

For concealed damage, note exactly when it was found and how the goods were handled after delivery. For refrigerated shipments, preserve available temperature files and equipment records. For shortages, reconcile the shipped quantity with receiving counts and seal information.

Prepare a claim summary for Julio →