UK B2B logistics and haulage debt recovery

Commercial Debt Recovery for Logistics and Haulage Companies

Recover unpaid haulage invoices, outstanding freight charges, courier debts and storage fees with an approach built around your booking records, proof of delivery and agreed transport terms.

Sector-specific assessment

Logistics debts depend on the movement and delivery record

A customer may challenge delivery, waiting time, damage, shortages, demurrage, fuel surcharges or proof of delivery. High invoice volumes and repeated jobs can also make older balances difficult to reconcile.

We first match the booking, service, delivery evidence, agreed charges and invoice. That helps us isolate genuine operational disputes from ordinary non-payment.

Logistics and haulage payment problems

Common debts we can assess

We review the documents behind the balance before deciding how the debt should be pursued.

01

Unpaid haulage invoices

Transport invoices that remain unpaid after delivery and the agreed due date.

02

Outstanding freight charges

Road, sea, air or multimodal freight charges owed by commercial customers.

03

Unpaid courier invoices

High-volume courier or parcel invoices supported by delivery records.

04

Waiting time and demurrage

Charges for delays, detention, storage or failed loading and unloading.

05

Fuel surcharge disputes

Agreed surcharges or rate adjustments omitted from payment.

06

Pallet and shortage charges

Unpaid pallet, packaging, shortage or equipment-related balances.

07

Warehouse and storage fees

Charges for storage, handling, fulfilment or overdue collection.

08

Damage and loss deductions

Customers reducing invoices because of alleged damage, shortage or loss.

09

Repeat-customer arrears

Aged balances across multiple loads, routes, depots or business units.

What strengthens recovery

What we look at before taking action

A clear evidence pack helps us understand the debt quickly and challenge common payment excuses.

Booking and ratesJob bookings, rate confirmations, tariffs and agreed surcharges.
Proof of deliverySigned PODs, scans, tracking records and customer acknowledgements.
Transport documentsConsignment notes, CMRs, manifests and delivery instructions.
Additional chargesWaiting-time records, demurrage, storage and failed-delivery evidence.
Invoice trailInvoices, statements, remittances, credits and payment promises.
Dispute recordsDamage claims, shortage reports, photographs and correspondence.
Our logistics and haulage recovery process

A clear five-step recovery process

We keep the process focused: identify the debt, test the dispute, contact the debtor and escalate only where justified.

Step 1

Confirm the customer

Check the correct client, booking party and accounts-payable contact.

Step 2

Confirm the job

Review the booking, rates, delivery and invoice balance.

Step 3

Check the dispute

Assess POD, damage, shortage, waiting-time or surcharge issues.

Step 4

Pursue payment

Use focused telephone and written recovery action.

Step 5

Escalate carefully

Consider formal demand, court or enforcement only where appropriate.

Selecting the route

Choose the right recovery route

The best route depends on the job records, delivery evidence, dispute status, customer solvency and value of the debt.

Where judgment is needed

County Court claim

Court action may be considered where the debt remains unpaid and the claim is proportionate.

Read about County Court claims →
Disputed logistics and haulage debts

When a customer disputes freight or haulage charges

Some customers rely on missing PODs, alleged damage or internal approval delays. Others dispute a specific load, surcharge, waiting-time entry or shortage.

We identify the precise disputed item, compare it with the transport records and determine whether the remaining balance is still clearly due.

Missing proof of delivery We check digital tracking, scans, manifests and customer acknowledgements.
Damage claim We review when the damage was reported and what evidence supports it.
Waiting time disputed We compare arrival, loading and departure records with the agreed terms.
Fuel surcharge omitted We check the rate confirmation, tariff and invoicing basis.
Shortage allegation We review consignment records, counts, photos and delivery notes.
Wrong customer entity We identify who booked the work and received the service.
Interest and recovery costs

Can interest and compensation be added?

Depending on the contract and circumstances, you may be entitled to contractual interest or statutory interest and fixed compensation.

We check the payment terms and due dates before including additional sums in a demand.

Logistics and haulage debt FAQs

Logistics and Haulage Companies FAQs

Straight answers to the questions we are most often asked.

Yes, where the job, delivery and charges are supported by the transport records.

Potentially. We review the booking, agreed rate, consignment documents, POD and any disputed extras.

We check all available delivery evidence, including scans, tracking, manifests and customer communications.

Possibly, where the charge was agreed or supported by the contract and operational records.

We assess when the issue was raised, what evidence supports it and whether the rest of the invoice remains due.

It can be appropriate for a clear overdue balance once the job and disputed items have been checked.

It depends on the customer’s response, quality of records and whether formal action is needed.

Related resources

Useful next steps

Use these guides to assess the debt and decide what to do next.

Need help with an unpaid logistics and haulage companies debt?

Send us the customer details, bookings, invoices, PODs and any dispute correspondence. We will review the debt and the most proportionate next step.

Important: This page provides general information, not legal advice. Freight, transport or contractual disputes may require specialist legal support.