Warehousing

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.

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What does OTSL do after trailer tampering or cargo damage?

When a trailer has been tampered with by unauthorised people, or cargo has been damaged or tilted, OTSL carries out a full inspection of the goods, assesses whether they are fit for further sale or consumption, repacks and rebuilds pallets, and prepares a photo report for the client and the insurer. We operate in our UK warehouse and at our bases in Poland.

Inspection is not a formality after the damage. It is the moment we catch the problem before the goods reach the consignee and before the cost grows.

A pallet of cartons in white light: the goods look clean — Shine the UV lamp: the cursor reveals traces invisible in white light, including blood, urine and other biological contamination. This is what our inspection looks like before the report.

Shine the UV lamp: the cursor reveals traces invisible in white light, including blood, urine and other biological contamination. This is what our inspection looks like before the report.

When an inspection is needed

Most often after unauthorised people are found in the trailer (e.g. stowaways), after pallets tilt or are damaged in transit, and when the insurer requires the state of the goods to be documented before a decision.

Food safety

For food, trailer tampering can mean a sanitary risk. We assess whether products are fit for further trade and document their condition, 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 tilted pallets, repack damaged units and return cargo to a state fit for onward transport or sale, cutting downtime.

Report and evidence

Every inspection ends with a photo report describing the condition, a document useful for the client and the insurer when filing a claim.

The inspection process, step by step

01

Report and securing

We receive the cargo into the warehouse and secure it for inspection.
02

Examination and documentation

We check the condition of the goods and produce photo documentation.
03

Fitness assessment

We assess whether products are fit for further sale or consumption.
04

Recovery or disposal

We repack and rebuild pallets or support the disposal process.
05

Report for client and insurer

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

Frequently asked questions

What to do when unauthorised people were in the trailer?

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

Are the goods 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 condition, so the decision is based on evidence, not guesswork.

What does the report contain?

A description of the cargo condition, photo documentation, plus a fitness assessment and recommendation, in a form useful for the client and the insurer.

Will you rebuild tilted pallets?

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

Is the report useful for the insurer?

Yes. A photo report describing the condition is standard evidence when filing a claim and speeds up its handling.

What does the UV lamp reveal on goods?

Biological traces invisible in white light, including urine, blood and other soiling. Fluorescence shows them at once, before any report.

What happens if an inspection finds something?

We separate the flagged units, document them with photos and agree the decision with you: cleaning and release, repacking or disposal.

Knowledge base

Trailer seals and the sealing protocol: seal types, ISO 17712, the CMR entry and the breach procedure

A seal costs pennies and settles disputes worth as much as the load. Seal types and ISO 17712…

Odour and cross-contamination: why a foreign smell disqualifies food and cosmetics

Odour-absorbing products, meaning food, coffee, tea, cosmetics and pet food, can take on a foreign…

Shortage and overage at unloading: how to count pallets and protect your claim

When you take delivery, the number of pieces and pallets received must match the transport…

Moisture and mould in cargo: when the goods are already lost

Temperature differences inside a trailer or container condense moisture on the walls and roof, from…

Information and disclaimer

This material is informational and practical. It is not legal, customs or tax advice. Regulations, procedures and official lists change; the current legal status and the communications of the competent authorities are binding. Before taking action, verify the current state in official sources. OTSL accepts no liability for the consequences of relying on this content without checking that it is up to date as at the date of the action.

Some content is prepared with the support of AI tools, under OTSL editorial oversight and responsibility. The person named on each piece is the subject-matter owner accountable for it. Customs and regulatory facts are verified against official sources.

Official sources: KAS / PUESC · HMRC / GOV.UK · European Commission

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