Is the removal company liable for all damage?

No. The statutory liability of the removal company is limited to €620 per cubic metre of cargo space (§ 451e HGB). It is also restricted for certain risks (§ 451d HGB), for example for boxes you packed yourself that were inadequately packed, for jewellery, money or documents, and for plants and animals. For valuable household goods, additional insurance is worthwhile, which you can take out with us on request.

Do I have to check for damage immediately when unpacking?

Yes, check boxes and furniture as soon as possible after the private move . You have 14 days after delivery for hidden damage – if you only unpack after weeks, you may lose your claims. So at least open boxes containing fragile items and electrical appliances within this period.

Which documents do I need for a claim?

For a smooth damage report you need the removal contract, the delivery note or handover record, photos of the damage and – if available – photos of the condition before the move, as well as purchase receipts. Also keep the damaged packaging until the case has been resolved.

Does the claim deadline also apply to a long-distance move?

Yes, the deadlines under § 451f HGB apply regardless of whether it is a long-distance move or a move within the same city. Further information on long routes can be found under Long-distance moves . If your household goods arrive late, you must report the delay beyond the delivery deadline within 21 days.

What happens if the damage is only noticed later?

For damage that is not externally visible, a deadline of 14 days after delivery applies. After that, the claims generally lapse. An exception applies if the removal company did not inform you about these deadlines and the liability rules before the move (§ 451g HGB). So report damage as early as possible.

Can I also claim for damage with a part load?

Yes, liability under the HGB and the same reporting deadlines also apply to a part load . Report the damage by phone and in text form so that we can process your claim promptly.

How long does it take to process a damage claim?

Once we have received your report with photos and documents, we examine the case and get back to you with the next steps for your moving damage . The more complete the documents, the faster it goes.

Will I receive compensation or a repair in the event of damage?

Depending on the type and extent of the damage, a repair or financial compensation may be considered. By law, the value of the household goods is reimbursed up to the liability limit of €620 per cubic metre; additional insurance can go beyond this.

Can I also discuss the damage in person on site?

Yes, we are happy to look at the moving damage together on site. To do so, contact us by phone on 01625978461. Still report the damage beforehand in text form within the deadline – an on-site appointment does not replace the report.

Are there regional differences in how damage is handled?

No. The rules for moving damage are set out in the German Commercial Code and apply equally throughout Germany – no matter whether you move within Berlin or to another federal state. We are based in Berlin and handle every claim according to the same principles.

REPORTING DAMAGE

Claiming for Moving Damage

Q: How do I report moving damage to Beste Umzug Unternehmen?

Report the moving damage immediately – visible damage ideally on delivery to our team. Call us on 01625978461 and also send the report by email with photos and a short description, because after delivery the report must be made in text form. The faster the report, the more quickly we can settle the claim .

Q: What deadline applies to a claim for moving damage?

The HGB sets short deadlines for moves: externally visible damage must be reported by the day after delivery at the latest, and damage that is not externally visible within 14 days (§ 451f HGB). The report after delivery must be made in text form, for example by email. If you miss the deadlines, you lose your claims.

Claiming for moving damage: which deadlines the German Commercial Code (HGB) sets, how to document the damage and how far the removal company's liability extends.

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Your rights

Claiming for moving damage – your right as a customer

Report quickly, document well

Unsere Firma The day after delivery, 14 days, text form and €620 per cubic metre – the rules for moving damage at a glance.

Even with a carefully organised move, minor damage to furniture or boxes can never be ruled out completely. It is important that you know how a claim for moving damage works and which deadlines apply – because if you report too late, you lose your claims. At Beste Umzug Unternehmen we are liable under the statutory rules of the HGB (§ 451e: €620 per m³ of cargo space), and additional insurance is available on request. We explain which steps are necessary after damage has occurred.

Whether a private move or a long-distance move – it helps to record the condition of valuable furniture with photos before transport. That way, in the event of damage, it can quickly be clarified whether compensation is due and how much. The statutory deadlines apply equally throughout Germany, regardless of the start and destination. In the event of damage, call us on 01625978461 and also report it in writing.

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Fixed price after a survey, liability under the HGB

Request a no-obligation quote for your private move or long-distance move. With a fixed price after a survey you know from the start which costs to expect; your household goods are covered under the German Commercial Code (HGB). Contact us by phone on 01625978461.

Offers available individually, depending on effort, scheduling and the scope of services required.

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AVOIDING DAMAGE

How we prevent damage

Pad, secure, document

At Beste Umzug Unternehmen we rely on transparency in every step of the move. Furniture is padded in blankets, secured in the lorry and fragile items are packed separately – this reduces the risk of moving damage from the outset. If something does happen, we are liable under the HGB up to €620 per cubic metre of cargo space; for valuable household goods we recommend additional insurance. You can find more about our services under Private move and Long-distance moves.

Professional packing

What we pack ourselves, we are also responsible for during transport – for boxes you pack yourself, liability is limited. That is a good reason to use our packing service.

Office technology

Monitors, servers and files are packed and labelled separately so that nothing breaks or gets lost during the office move.

Heirlooms handled with care

On request we photograph antique furniture and keepsakes before loading – often especially important for a senior move.

Securing in the lorry

Straps, blankets and partitions stop furniture from shifting during the journey – a basic rule for every furniture transport.

FAIR WHEN DAMAGE OCCURS

What you can expect from us in the event of damage

At Beste Umzug Unternehmen, honesty and reliability come first – even if something goes wrong. Report damage early, and we will resolve it together.

Handover together

At the end, walk through the rooms with our team – it is best to note visible damage directly on delivery.

Careful handling

From packing to assembly, we handle your household goods responsibly – the best claim is one that is never needed during the move.

Honest feedback

After your report we examine the case and say clearly what is reimbursed under the HGB and what is not – without delay in settling the claim.

Photos as evidence

Pictures of the condition before and after, with the date, are the most important basis of any claim.

Repair or replacement

Depending on the damage, a repair or a financial settlement may be considered – within the statutory liability of €620 per cubic metre.

Extra protection on request

For expensive furniture, art or technology, statutory liability is often not enough – additional insurance closes this gap.

WITH A PART LOAD TOO

Part load: the same rules for damage

Deadlines also apply to small transports

A part load is an affordable alternative for smaller moves or single pieces of furniture. The same statutory rules apply to transport damage as for a complete move – liability under the HGB and the same reporting deadlines.

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RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS

Before,
during and after transport

Prevent, check, report

There are many important aspects to consider around moving, from the right packing to correctly reporting damage. We inform you comprehensively about your rights and obligations as a customer, so that you know exactly how to proceed in the case of moving damage. Topics such as parking restriction zones, storage or how a long-distance move works are also covered in our guide section. Find out in advance to make your move stress-free.

Document beforehand

Photos of valuable furniture and a list of the boxes make any later claim easier – for a private move, senior move or student move.

Pack correctly

With the packing service we also take responsibility for the packing; with furniture transport and small transport we pad and secure every item.

Check after delivery

Whether an office move, company relocation or part load: report visible damage by the day after delivery at the latest, and hidden damage within 14 days, in text form.

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FAQ

Frequently asked questions about moving damage

Answers on reporting deadlines, text form, liability limit, hidden damage, part loads and documents.

Report the moving damage immediately – visible damage ideally on delivery to our team. Call us on 01625978461 and also send the report by email with photos and a short description, because after delivery the report must be made in text form. The faster the report, the more quickly we can settle the claim.

How to report moving damage correctly

The first step when you discover moving damage is documentation. Photograph the damaged piece of furniture or box from several angles, keep the packaging and note the date and time you found it. The more precise your documentation, the faster the claim can be settled.

It is best to report visible damage immediately on delivery, for example on the delivery note or directly to our team. Also call us on 01625978461 and send the report with photos by email – after delivery, the damage report must be made in text form.

Deadlines and legal basis for moving damage

Special deadlines apply to moves under the German Commercial Code: externally visible transport damage or losses must be reported to the removal company by the day after delivery at the latest, and damage that is not externally visible within 14 days of delivery (§ 451f HGB). If you miss the deadline, you lose your claims. The report after delivery must be made in text form, for example by email; it is sufficient if it is sent in time (§ 438 para. 4 HGB). Keep the removal contract, delivery note and photos.

The statutory liability of the removal company is limited to €620 per cubic metre of cargo space required for the move (§ 451e HGB). Claims generally become time-barred after one year. You can read what additional insurance covers beyond this in the article Moving insurance: what is covered.

Our moving prices at a glance

Category	Price
1 room	from €349
2 rooms	from €609
3 rooms	from €884
4 rooms	from €1,299
House/villa	individual quote
Long-distance move	from €4.25/km

Take advantage of the free survey to find out your individual price.

What determines the moving price

Scope and volume
Distance from €4.25/km
Floor without a lift
Necessary parking restriction zone (Halteverbotszone)
Furniture assembly and part load as additional options

Services with careful transport

Your moving solution – our services

We offer tailored solutions for every moving requirement.

Part load	Cost-effective thanks to shared transports.
House clearance	We clear what you no longer need.
Furniture transport	Safe transport of your furniture.
Private move	For your personal change of home.
Company relocation	Smooth for companies of any size.
Move with assembly	Including assembly and dismantling of your furniture.

From Berlin nationwide – the same rules everywhere

We are based in Berlin (Stromstraße 21) and drive nationwide; the deadlines and liability under the HGB apply equally on every route. The page Long-distance moves offers details on long routes, and the locations overview lists destinations with their own page.

Guides & Tips

Beste Umzug Redaktion

September 11, 2026

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