Instructions to follow

I.T.N. Consolidators, Inc. and I.T.N. of Miami, Inc. make every effort to transport your cargo to its destination on time and in good condition. However, if you need to file a claim, you must follow the procedures outlined below.
(I.T.N. Consolidators, Inc. and I.T.N. of Miami, Inc. will be referred to collectively as “I.T.N.” throughout this website).

Examine the cargo

Examine the cargo carefully before accepting delivery. If you find damaged packaging and/or immediately apparent cargo damage or loss, take photos and write a detailed note on the delivery receipt describing the damage. (The legal term for such a note is "taking exceptions.") This begins the documentation process. Keep a copy of the annotated delivery receipt for your claim file.

When a shipment arrives in a container, examine the container and its seals immediately before accepting delivery. If the seals are broken or missing, or are other than as stated in the shipping documents, note the delivery receipt accordingly and retain all defective or irregular seals for subsequent identification.

Also, immediately upon discovering the damage or loss, send a letter notifying the Carrier and insurance company that you intent to file a formal claim, and notify the Carrier's local representative anywhere in the world, or the Carrier's Customer Service or Claims office.

If the damage or loss is not immediately apparent at the time of delivery, and is discovered after you've accepted delivery, you have only a limited time to file a concealed damage claim.

Communicate in writing

Submit all information relating to your claim in writing. Verbal notification is no substitute for written notification. Although you may notify I.T.N. representatives in person or by telephone that you intend to file a claim, verbal notification doesn't qualify in calculating the filing deadlines and other time-related aspects of the claims process, and is not a substitute for written notification.

Verify that your written communications have arrived. Send postal mail with a return receipt request, use a courier or express service with delivery notification, or ask recipients of emails and faxes to reply with an acknowledgment of receipt.

Preserve the evidence

While your claim is being processed, keep everything related to the claim, including the damaged cargo and all internal and external packing materials, unless further damage would result. In any event, take photos of your damaged cargo and (if possible) similar undamaged items, and of the packing materials.

Allow time for examination

Determine whether the Carrier or cargo underwriter will send a surveyor, or whether contacting a surveyor is your responsibility.

If you're responsible, contact a surveyor immediately. To locate a surveyor in the consignee's vicinity:

• See the back of the original Certificate of Insurance and follow the instructions there, or
• Call the Carrier and/or insurance company, or
• Seek out a surveyor who is a Correspondent of the American Institute of Marine Underwriters or a Lloyd's of London Agent.

Usually surveyors are paid by the entity to which they report, but if a surveyor requires up-front payment, you're entitled to request reimbursement. Get a receipt, submit it to the Carrier or insurance company, and keep a copy for your records.

Pay transportation charges

Before filing a claim, the shipper must pay all transportation charges for the shipment involved in the claim.

In the table below, click the link that describes the type of claim you're filing: