Damaged Goods Write-Off Calculator
Carrier claims are the recovery nobody claims.
Monthly write-off
$1,816
$21,794 a year
Carrier claims are the recovery most often left unclaimed, because the paperwork exceeds the value of a single item. Batching claims monthly rather than per incident is what makes $6,264 a year worth pursuing.
How the Damaged Goods Write-Off Calculator works
Carrier claims are the recovery most often left unclaimed, because the paperwork exceeds the value of a single item. Batching claims monthly rather than per incident is what makes the annual figure worth pursuing.
Not financial advice. Marketplace fees change, and they vary by country, plan and seller status. Every rate here is an editable default, not a quoted price — check the platform's current fee schedule before you price a product against it. This is not tax or business advice.
Frequently asked questions
How do I calculate a write-off?
Cost of the damaged units, less salvage value recovered, plus disposal cost, less anything recovered from carriers or insurance.
What can I claim from carriers?
Most carriers accept claims for damage in transit within a limited window and up to a liability cap that is usually far below the item's value. Declaring a higher value costs more and raises the cap.
Is salvage worth pursuing?
For anything with residual value, yes — B-grade sale, parts, or bulk liquidation. The alternative is paying to dispose of something worth money.
How do I reduce damage?
Better outbound packaging is usually cheaper than the damage it prevents. Testing a package by dropping it is a genuinely useful exercise.