What is "freight claim"

A Freight claim is a legal demand by a shipper or consignee to a carrier for financial reimbursement for a loss or damage of a shipment. Freight claims are also known as shipping claims, cargo claims, transportation claims, or loss and damage claims.

The intention of a freight claim is for the carrier to make the shipper or consignee “whole” – that is to say, their position is as good as it would have been if the carrier had carried out their tasks according to the Bill of Lading. For this reason, claimants are generally expected to file a claim to recover their costs, not including profits, although in some rare cases claiming profits may be considered acceptable.

Claimants are also expected to take reasonable measures to mitigate the loss. For example, if the damaged product has retained some value, the carrier would only be required to pay for the difference between the original value and the damaged value. The claimant would then be free to salvage the damaged product by selling it at a reduced cost.

There are two types of freight damaged in which you can open a claim. Standard or visible damage is noticeable at the time of delivery. This means that the carrier provided a detailed description of the damage to goods in the delivery note at the time of delivery. Concealed damage is when you discover the damage or loss after you have already signed the delivery note and the driver has left your premises.