To file a freight claim, note the damage or shortage on the delivery receipt before signing, keep the freight and packaging, photograph everything, and submit a written claim to the carrier with the bill of lading, delivery receipt, invoice showing value and proof of damage. In the United States a claim generally must be filed within nine months of delivery, and concealed damage should be reported within five business days.
At delivery: the step that decides most claims
- Count the pieces and inspect the freight before signing
- Write specific exceptions on the delivery receipt, such as "2 cartons crushed, pallet shrink wrap torn"
- Do not sign "subject to inspection" in place of a specific note; it carries little weight
- Photograph the freight on the truck or dock, the damage and the labels
- Keep the damaged freight and all packaging until the claim is settled
What a claim needs
- A written statement identifying the shipment and demanding a specific dollar amount
- The bill of lading
- The delivery receipt showing the exceptions
- The commercial invoice or other proof of the freight's value
- Photographs and, where relevant, a repair estimate or inspection report
Deadlines
Under the standard rules for U.S. motor carriers, a shipper has at least nine months from delivery to file a claim, or nine months from a reasonable delivery date if the freight never arrived. The carrier must acknowledge the claim within 30 days and pay, decline or make a settlement offer within 120 days, or report on its status every 60 days after that.
Concealed damage, meaning damage found after a clean delivery receipt was signed, should be reported to the carrier within five business days. After that the shipper generally has to show the damage did not happen after delivery.
How much you can recover
LTL carriers limit their liability in their tariffs, often to a dollar amount per pound that depends on freight class and may be lower for used or uncrated goods. That can be far less than the freight is worth. If the value of a shipment exceeds the carrier's limit, arrange additional cargo coverage before it ships.
Pay the freight bill
A claim does not suspend the freight charges. Carriers expect the invoice to be paid while the claim is handled separately, and withholding payment can complicate the claim.
Common questions
How long do I have to file a freight claim?
Generally nine months from the delivery date for U.S. motor carrier shipments. Check the bill of lading and the carrier's tariff, and file as early as you can.
What is concealed damage?
Damage that was not visible at delivery and is found after the receipt was signed clean. Report it to the carrier within five business days and keep the packaging for inspection.
Should I refuse a damaged shipment?
Usually not. Accept the freight, note the damage on the delivery receipt and file a claim. Refusing can add storage and return charges, and you are expected to limit the loss where you reasonably can.
Does the carrier pay the full value of damaged freight?
Only up to its liability limit, which for LTL is commonly set per pound by freight class. Check the limit before shipping valuable freight and buy additional coverage if it is not enough.
Written by the Mainspring Logistics team. Last reviewed November 10, 2026. Figures are typical values; equipment and carrier rules vary.