UKCan I sue a courier for damaged goods in small claims court in the UK?
Yes, you can sue a courier for damaged goods in UK small claims court — but only if the claim is £10,000 or less and you’ve tried to resolve it with the courier first.
What the Law Says
UK law treats courier services as contracts governed by the Consumer Rights Act 2015 and the Contract and Commercial Law framework. When goods are damaged in transit, liability depends on who was responsible and whether reasonable care was taken.
Under the Consumer Rights Act 2015, services must be carried out with reasonable care and skill — couriers owe this duty to both consumers and businesses acting as consumers (s. 49). If they fail, it’s a breach of contract entitling you to remedies including compensation.
The Package Travel and Linked Travel Arrangements Regulations 2018 do not apply to standard courier deliveries, so liability falls squarely under contract law, not consumer travel protections.
Couriers may rely on their own terms and conditions — but any exclusion of liability for negligence or failure to exercise reasonable care is unenforceable under s. 65 of the Consumer Rights Act 2015 and the Unfair Contract Terms Act 1977, s. 2(1).
Statutory TextEvery contract to supply a service is to be treated as including a term that the supplier will carry out the service with reasonable care and skill.
— Consumer Rights Act 2015, s. 49(1)
What to Do
Contact the courier in writing within 7 days of receiving damaged goods, quoting your tracking number and requesting redress (e.g., repair, replacement or refund)
Gather evidence: photos of damage, original packaging, proof of value (receipt/invoice), courier’s terms, and correspondence
If unresolved after 14 days, send a formal letter before action using GOV.UK’s template, giving 14 more days to respond
Issue a claim online via the HM Courts & Tribunals Service Money Claim Online (MCOL) service — fee ranges from £35–£410 depending on claim value
Attend the hearing (if required); most small claims are decided on paper or via video, and legal representation isn’t usually allowed
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Related Questions
Not legal advice. This article is general information based on publicly available sources, written for educational purposes. Laws change and individual situations vary. Consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction before acting on anything you read here. Last reviewed: 2026-10-11.