Do these first
The freight is now sitting somewhere, and it is accruing something wherever it sits.
- Establish where it physically is — on the truck, on a dock, in a yard, in storage.
- Check condition and temperature — immediately, if it is temperature controlled.
- Identify who can authorize disposition — and get them into the conversation.
- Preserve the records — shipment paperwork and the rejection itself.
- Do not dispose of anything — not without authorization. This is where claims get lost.
Where can the freight go?
Rejected freight may be held temporarily, moved to storage, returned, reconsigned, redelivered or entered into salvage/disposal handling.
Temperature-controlled and food freight
Reefer, food and other controlled products may have additional condition, safety and disposition requirements. Escalate immediately.
Salvage and disposal
49 CFR 370.11 addresses carrier processing of damaged goods that are not delivered or are rejected or refused.
Sources
- https://www.law.cornell.edu/cfr/text/49/370.11
- https://nmfta.org/wp-content/media/2022/10/Uniform_Bill_of_Lading_Terms_and_Conditions.pdf
Rejected freight is sitting somewhere now?
Send the location, condition, reason for rejection and the parties who can authorize disposition so we can get the next move decided.
Request a Freight Quote