The 2-Minute Rule
When a damaged package arrives, most people rip it open to check the contents. Stop. The packaging damage is evidence: and how you document it helps the carrier review your claim. Once you open and discard it, you've lost proof of how the carrier handled your shipment.
Step-by-Step Documentation
1
Photograph the package as it arrived: on your doorstep, showing any visible damage2
Photograph shipping labels showing carrier and tracking info3
Photograph all sides of the outer box, highlighting damage4
Open carefully and photograph the internal packaging5
Photograph the damaged item from multiple angles6
Keep ALL packaging materials until the claim is resolved7
Screenshot your original order showing what you paidCertify each photo so it has an independent timestamp, showing you documented it at delivery, not days later.
Filing by Carrier
Carrier and retailer claim deadlines vary by service and claim type. Check the current claim rules for Amazon, UPS, FedEx or USPS as soon as you find the damage, and keep your packaging, receipts and photos.
