Who bears risk if I book my own China courier?
Where UK consumer law applies, you bear transit risk from handover if you commission a courier the seller did not name as an option. With seller-offered delivery, risk normally stays with the seller until you or your nominated recipient physically receive the goods. Factory handover evidence can be gathered by Cambridge China Bridge.
Check whether this is a personal purchase
The UK consumer rule concerns a contract between a trader and a consumer. A consumer is an individual buying wholly or mainly outside their trade, business, craft or profession. If you are buying stock or equipment mainly for business use, read our business ownership and transit risk guide instead.
This guide explains the UK rule where it applies to your sales contract. For a direct purchase from an overseas seller, ask an adviser to check applicability and enforcement before relying on it. Identify the actual seller on the order and invoice; our seller or sourcing agent guide helps with that distinction.
Establish who offered and commissioned the courier
Under the UK consumer rule, goods normally remain at the seller's risk until you, or someone you identify to receive them, take physical possession. Choosing a courier that the seller named as a delivery option does not trigger the independently commissioned carrier exception.
The exception applies when you commission the carrier and the seller did not name that carrier as an option. Risk then passes on delivery to that carrier, including collection in China. Save the checkout delivery options, seller messages, courier booking and payment record. Who paid the freight alone does not answer the statutory test.
Prepare evidence before collection
Ask the seller to photograph the actual item, identifying marks, accessories, protective packing and sealed parcel with its label. Match these to the order and courier reference. Agree who will record the collection location, date, parcel quantity, visible condition and collector's identity.
Obtain a collection receipt or carrier acceptance record linked to the parcel. A created label or collection booking does not establish that handover happened. Ask the courier what its acceptance scan confirms and how to retrieve the original record. If the seller disputes collection, request the collector's account and supporting records before assigning responsibility.
Check compensation and insurance before booking
Passing transit risk to you does not remove any liability the carrier has to you for the goods. It also does not establish what compensation your booking provides. Ask the courier to confirm acceptance of the contents, packing conditions, compensation exclusions, value evidence, who can claim and its notification and claim deadlines. For booking options, see our guide to parcel brokers versus direct couriers.
If buying separate insurance, ask for cover from carrier handover through the intended delivery, including any transfer or storage stages. Check the claimant, excess and exclusions against the actual item and route. Use our cargo insurance guide for the detailed cover review.
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Build a claim around the event and evidence
For loss, save the tracking history and ask the carrier to trace the parcel and confirm its findings in writing. For damage, photograph the unopened parcel, labels, outer damage, internal packing and item as you unpack. Retain the goods and packaging while asking what inspection is needed. Notify the seller, carrier and insurer promptly where relevant, following the procedures each provides.
Prepare a factual chronology with the order, payment evidence, delivery options, booking terms, collection receipt, photographs and correspondence. State what is missing or damaged, the amount claimed and how you calculated it. If delivery was seller-offered, raise the transit complaint with the seller; if independently commissioned, pursue the carrier and relevant insurer. Flag suspected pre-collection defects or packing problems separately to the seller.
Frequently asked questions
Who is responsible if my own China courier loses my parcel?
Where the UK consumer rule applies, risk passes at handover if you commissioned a carrier the seller did not name as an option. Gather collection evidence and pursue the carrier and any relevant insurer.
Does choosing a courier at checkout make transit my risk?
Choosing a carrier the seller named as an option does not trigger this exception. Risk normally stays with the seller until you or your nominated recipient physically receive the goods.
Does paying the courier separately prove I carry the risk?
Payment alone does not settle the test. Check whether you commissioned the carrier and whether the seller named it as an option. Keep the booking and seller's delivery options.
What evidence should I keep for a damaged parcel claim?
Keep the order, payment record, delivery options, booking terms, collection receipt, tracking and photographs of the item and packing before dispatch and on arrival. Retain packaging and ask for the claim procedure.