What to do when cargo arrives damaged

The situation

Cargo is received, discharged or discovered in damaged condition. The damage may be obvious, disputed, limited to packaging, connected to container condition, or only understood after unpacking.

Immediate priorities

• Keep safety, cargo preservation and reasonable loss mitigation ahead of documentation.
• Avoid unnecessary disturbance where practical and safe.
• Record the time, location and parties present when damage is discovered.
• Photograph or video visible condition before major movement where practical.
• Preserve packaging, container condition, seals and markings where relevant.
• Retain delivery, transport, tally and exception records that are available.
• Notify relevant commercial or insurance parties as appropriate to the circumstances.

What evidence may matter

• Photographs or video showing visible condition and context.
• Packaging condition, labels, marks and handling indicators.
• Container, seal or transport-unit condition where relevant.
• Delivery documents, exception notes and receiving records.
• Tally, quantity, weight or shortage records where applicable.
• Handling records, site observations and statements from parties present.
• Timeline information showing when the condition was first observed.

Why early documentation matters

Early records can help distinguish what was visible at discovery from what changed later. They may also support discussions about cause, extent, mitigation, salvage, recovery or claim handling, depending on the contract, cargo and appointing interests.

When a damage survey may help

Independent attendance may be useful where the damage is material, the cause or timing is disputed, multiple parties are involved, or the appointing party needs a field record for claims review.