Damaged packages, unusable goods or a break in the cold chain: following delivery by air, the priority is to record the damage and immediately protect the applicable time limits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In France, liability for the carriage of goods by air is governed by the Montreal Convention<\/a>, including where the carriage is domestic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In the event of damage, the consignee must make a written complaint to the carrier immediately upon discovering the damage and, at the latest, within fourteen days of receipt<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In the event of delay, the time limit is twenty-one days<\/a><\/strong> from the date on which the goods were placed at the consignee\u2019s disposal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The consequences are significant: without a timely complaint, proceedings against the carrier are generally inadmissible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n These complaint periods must be distinguished from the two years<\/a><\/strong> period for bringing an action for liability.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Packaging, photographs, delivery records, temperature logs and any evidence helping to establish when and where the damage occurred should be preserved.<\/p>\n\n\n\n These documents should be cross-checked against the air waybill (AWB)<\/a>, invoices and correspondence with the parties involved.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Where the journey also involves road carriage or handling, the timeline becomes essential to identifying the stage at which the damage occurred.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Carrier liability does not necessarily result in reimbursement of the full value of the goods.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Since 28 December 2024<\/strong>, the cargo liability limit has been 26 Special Drawing Rights (SDRs) per kilogram<\/a><\/strong>, subject in particular to any special declaration of interest in delivery made in accordance with the Convention.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The relevant weight, the nature of the damage and any declarations made before shipment must therefore be examined before quantifying the claim.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Was the complaint made within the correct period, and does it still effectively preserve the claim against the air carrier?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nA written complaint within 14 days<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Securing evidence immediately<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Limits on compensation<\/h2>\n\n\n\n