Track cargo claim filing deadlines for interstate household goods shipments

Steps

1. Understand that under the Carmack Amendment framework governing interstate household goods transportation, carriers cannot require shippers to file a claim in less than nine months from the date of delivery (or, for loss, from a reasonable time to expect delivery)
2. Publish your claim-filing deadline (no shorter than the nine-month federal minimum) in your tariff or bill of lading so shippers know the applicable window
3. Acknowledge and process claims within the timeframes your own claims-handling rules commit to, and document all claim correspondence
4. Advise shippers that if a claim is denied or unresolved, federal law generally gives them a minimum period (commonly cited as around two years) after disallowance to file suit — confirm current figures against the applicable statute/tariff language rather than assuming a fixed number applies to every carrier
5. Retain shipment records (bill of lading, inventory, weight tickets, estimate) at least through the applicable claim and litigation windows so you can respond to claims filed near the deadline