For years, perishable shipment claims have been one of the most frustrating areas in parcel logistics.
Unlike standard loss or damage claims, perishable shipments operate under entirely different eligibility rules, with strict delivery windows and complex carrier requirements. When shipments arrive late—even by hours—the contents may be unsalvageable.
Yet most shippers never file these claims.
Why?
Because the rules are difficult to interpret, the documentation requirements are unclear, and carrier denial messages are often cryptic. Many logistics teams have concluded that pursuing perishable claims simply isn’t worth the time.
Until now.
ShipScience is excited to announce the release of Automated Perishable Claims Detection and Filing within SimpleClaims.
This new capability automatically identifies shipments eligible for perishable claims and files them with UPS and FedEx—without manual intervention.
The Hidden Cost of Perishable Shipment Delays
Perishable shippers—such as florists, meal kit companies, seafood distributors, and pharmaceutical suppliers—rely heavily on time-definite shipping services.
A shipment delivered even slightly outside its required delivery window can mean the contents are no longer usable.
But detecting those eligible claims across thousands of shipments is extremely difficult.
Typical challenges include:
• Determining which shipments qualify as perishable
• Tracking service-level delivery commitments
• Calculating acceptable late-delivery thresholds
• Providing required packaging and spoilage documentation
• Navigating inconsistent carrier denial messages
As a result, most eligible claims are never filed.
How ShipScience Solves the Problem
ShipScience has developed a system that automatically detects and files perishable claims using the exact criteria carriers require.
The feature includes configurable settings that allow shippers to define:
Perishable Claim Detection
Identify shipments that qualify as perishable based on shipment data or default settings.
Late Delivery Thresholds
Define how late a shipment must arrive before it is considered spoiled.
Eligible Service Levels
Apply perishable claims only to specific time-definite services, such as:
- FedEx First Overnight
- FedEx Priority Overnight
- FedEx Standard Overnight
- FedEx 2Day / 2Day AM
- UPS Next Day Air
- UPS 2nd Day Air
Packaging and Product Documentation
Automatically attach packaging information required for carrier claim evaluation.
Automated Claim Filing
Once eligible shipments are detected, ShipScience automatically files the claim and manages the entire lifecycle.
Real Results: $20,000 Recovered in 48 Hours
One ShipScience customer—a large flower shipper—recently enabled this feature ahead of their Valentine’s Day volume spike.
In a matter of days:
• Over 4,000 perishable shipments were processed
• Eligible late deliveries were automatically identified
• Claims were filed immediately
• More than $20,000 in claims were approved within 48 hours
Without automation, these claims would almost certainly have gone unfiled.
Why Enterprise Perishable Shippers Need Automation
For high-volume shippers, perishable claims present a perfect storm:
- high shipment volume
- strict delivery commitments
- time-sensitive products
- complicated claim rules
Manual processes simply cannot scale.
Automation allows logistics teams to:
✔ Capture claims that would otherwise be missed
✔ Eliminate manual claim review
✔ Improve claim approval rates
✔ Recover transportation and product value faster
Part of the SimpleClaims Platform
Automated Perishable Claims works alongside the full SimpleClaims suite, which already helps shippers recover funds from:
- lost shipments
- damaged shipments
- carrier service failures
- billing errors
With the addition of perishable claim automation, ShipScience now covers one of the most overlooked sources of parcel recovery.
Enable Perishable Claims in Minutes
Shippers can enable the feature directly within their SimpleClaims settings and configure:
- eligible service levels
- late delivery thresholds
- packaging documentation
Once activated, ShipScience handles the rest.
Do You Ship Perishable Products?
If your company ships:
- flowers
- meal kits
- seafood
- produce
- pharmaceuticals
- temperature-sensitive goods
you may have significant unclaimed recovery opportunities.
Contact ShipScience to learn how SimpleClaims can automate your perishable claim recovery.
