How can I defend myself against unjustified transport costs?
February 6, 2023 | 55,00 EUR | answered by Anna Sontheimer
Dear Transport and Freight Law Attorney,
My name is Anna Brandes and I have a question regarding unjustified transport costs. Recently, I hired a freight forwarder to transport goods from A to B. However, I have now discovered that unexpectedly high transport costs were invoiced to me, which were not included in the original offer. I feel taken advantage of by the freight forwarder and I do not know how to defend myself against this.
I have already tried to contact the freight forwarder and obtain an explanation for the additional costs, but so far I have not received a satisfactory answer. I am worried that I will have to pay the invoice, even though I believe the additional costs are unjustified.
Could you please explain to me what legal steps I can take to defend myself against these unjustified transport costs? Are there any specific laws or regulations that can help me in this case? How can I best proceed to enforce my rights and reclaim the excessive costs?
Thank you in advance for your support and advice.
Sincerely,
Anna Brandes
Dear Mrs. Brandes,
Thank you for your inquiry regarding unauthorized transport costs. It is regrettable that you are faced with this situation, but there are legal steps you can take to fight against these costs.
Firstly, it is important to verify whether the additional costs billed to you by the shipping company are actually justified. Typically, all transport costs should be transparent and contractually established in advance. If the costs were not included in the original offer and were not agreed upon afterwards, they may be unauthorized costs.
In such a case, it is advisable to file a written complaint with the shipping company and request a detailed breakdown of the additional costs. Ask the shipping company to review the invoice and provide you with a plausible explanation for the additional costs. It is important to document all communication with the shipping company in writing to be able to provide evidence in case of a dispute.
If the shipping company does not respond to your complaint or provide a satisfactory explanation for the additional costs, you may consider taking legal action. Transport and forwarding law regulates the contractual relationships between the client and the shipping company and protects the rights of the contracting parties.
For example, you could consult a lawyer specializing in transport and forwarding law to represent your interests. A lawyer can help you assess the legal situation, assert your claims, and initiate legal steps such as an out-of-court settlement or a lawsuit if necessary.
It is important to carefully store all relevant documents such as the transport contract, invoices, and communication with the shipping company and provide them to your lawyer. The more information you can provide about your case, the better your lawyer can support you.
I hope this information is helpful to you and wish you success in enforcing your rights against the shipping company. If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Best regards,
Anna Sontheimer
Lawyer specializing in transport and forwarding law
