Cargo inspection and recovery after trailer tampering and damage

Cargo inspection and recovery after trailer tampering and transport damage

When a trailer has been tampered with or cargo is damaged — we check, recover and document.

What does OPTIMUS TRANSPORT do after trailer tampering or cargo damage?

When a trailer has been tampered with by unauthorised people or cargo is damaged or has shifted, OPTIMUS TRANSPORT carries out a full inspection of the goods, assesses whether they are fit for further sale or consumption, performs repack and pallet rebuilding, and prepares a photo report for the client and the insurer. We work in the UK warehouse and at our bases in Poland.

When an inspection is needed

Most often after unauthorised people are found in the trailer (e.g. stowaways) — which at the UK border happens in particular — after pallets have shifted or been damaged in transport, and when an insurer requires the state of the goods to be documented before a further decision.

Food safety

With food, trailer tampering can mean a sanitary risk. We assess whether the products are fit for further trade and document the state, in line with the precautionary principle of EU food law.

EC 178/2002: Regulation (EC) No 178/2002 lays down the general principles and requirements of EU food law, including food safety and traceability rules.

Recovery and pallet rebuilding

We straighten and rebuild shifted pallets, repack damaged units and restore cargo to a state fit for further transport or sale, cutting the downtime.

Report and evidence

Every inspection ends with a photo report describing the state — a document useful for the client and the insurer when reporting a claim.

The inspection process, step by step

Notification and securing

We take the cargo into the warehouse and secure it for examination.

Examination and documentation

We check the state of the goods and produce photo documentation.

Fitness assessment

We assess whether the products are fit for further sale or consumption.

Recovery or disposal

We repack and rebuild pallets, or support the disposal process.

Report for client and insurer

We hand over a photo report with a description and recommendation.

Frequently asked questions

What should I do if there were unauthorised people in the trailer?

It is best to send the cargo for inspection before further distribution. We check the state of the goods, assess fitness and prepare a report — especially important for food and sensitive goods.

Is the cargo fit for sale after trailer tampering?

It depends on the type of goods and the nature of the tampering. After examination we issue a fitness assessment and document the state, so the decision is based on evidence, not guesswork.

What does the report contain?

A description of the cargo’s state, photo documentation and a fitness assessment with a recommendation, in a form useful for the client and the insurer.

Will you rebuild shifted pallets?

Yes. We straighten and rebuild pallets, repack damaged units and restore cargo to a state fit for further transport or sale.

Will the report help the insurer?

Yes. A photo report describing the state is standard evidence when reporting a claim and speeds up handling it.

Cargo inspection and recovery after trailer tampering and transport damage

What does OPTIMUS TRANSPORT do after trailer tampering or cargo damage?

When an inspection is needed

Food safety

Recovery and pallet rebuilding

Report and evidence

The inspection process, step by step

Notification and securing

Examination and documentation

Fitness assessment

Recovery or disposal

Report for client and insurer

Frequently asked questions

From our knowledge base

Cargo inspection after trailer tampering

Claims and the damage report under CMR

Inspection report for the insurer — what it contains

Stowaways in the trailer — what to do with the cargo

Need transport to the UK or customs clearance?