Liability calculator · Clause 25
Standard liability limit — what your bags are covered for
The standard contractual liability of Excess Luggage Co. is calculated using IMF Special Drawing Rights (SDR) — an international monetary unit that fluctuates daily. This is not insurance. Use the calculator below to see the current GBP equivalent for your shipment weight.
SDR liability calculator — Clause 25 of the Standard T&Cs
Formula: 50 SDR + (2 SDR × weight in kg)Enter total gross weight of the bag / item
KG
Update from IMF website for live rate
£
Formula (T&C Clause 25.2b)
50 SDR (fixed base) + (2 SDR × 25 kg) = 100 SDR
100 SDR × £1.0211 = £102.11
100 SDR × £1.0211 = £102.11
Standard liability in SDR
100 SDR
50 SDR base + (2 SDR × kg). This is the contractual limit under Clause 25 of the T&Cs.
Approximate GBP equivalent today
£102.11
At today's IMF SDR rate of £1.0211. This changes daily — the GBP value shown is indicative.
Gap vs actual goods value
~£398
Estimated gap vs typical £500 bag contents value. Enhanced liability cover is strongly recommended.
Important: The SDR-based liability limit is the maximum the company is contractually liable for under standard terms — it is not insurance. Goods are not insured unless enhanced liability cover is expressly agreed in writing and the premium paid before shipment. Without enhanced cover, if your bag weighing 25kg is lost, the maximum you can claim under standard terms is approximately £102 regardless of the actual value of the contents. We strongly recommend taking enhanced cover for any shipment where the contents value exceeds this limit.
Key terms explained · plain English
What you need to know before you book
These are the most important provisions of the Excess Luggage Co. Standard Terms and Conditions. This summary does not replace the full T&Cs, which are available on request and govern your shipment.
Clause 19
Transit times are estimates — not guaranteed
Standard T&Cs Clause 19 · Delivery Dates
All transit times quoted by Excess Luggage Co. are estimates only. Time is not of the essence in the performance of the service. The company does not guarantee delivery by any specific date.
Delay does not entitle you to: refuse delivery, withhold payment of charges, or cancel the contract.
Liability for delay: limited to the amount of the charges for the specific service affected — not the value of the goods.
Our recommendation: Book collection at least 5–7 days before you need delivery. This buffer absorbs transit variations.
Practical implication: If you are shipping ski equipment for a ski holiday that starts on a specific date, delay will not entitle you to compensation for missed holiday costs, flights, or accommodation. Plan ahead and build in buffer time.
Clause 9
All quotes are estimates — charges may be revised
Standard T&Cs Clause 9 & 9A · Freight Variation
All quotations provided by Excess Luggage Co. are estimates only and subject to revision. Charges may be revised at any time — including after collection — to reflect changes in weight, dimensions, carrier tariffs, fuel costs, security charges, or other operational factors.
Revised charges become payable immediately upon notification.
Refusing to pay revised charges entitles the company to suspend services, store your goods, or exercise lien over them.
Your goods will be weighed and measured at the depot — if actual weight or dimensions differ from what was declared at booking, charges will be adjusted accordingly.
Your obligation: Declare the accurate weight and dimensions of your goods at booking. Underestimating to reduce quoted costs will result in revised charges on arrival at the depot.
Clause 11B
Goods are NOT automatically insured
Standard T&Cs Clause 11 & 11B · Insurance & Liability
Excess Luggage Co. is not an insurer. Your goods are not insured unless enhanced liability cover is expressly agreed in writing and the premium paid before shipment. Without enhanced cover, goods travel at your risk subject to the SDR liability limits only.
No enhanced cover: Standard SDR liability applies — see the calculator above. For a 25kg bag this is approximately £102 at current rates.
Enhanced cover: Available on request at an additional charge. Must be requested and agreed before shipment — not after.
Excluded from cover: Glass, ceramics, fragile items, LCD/Plasma TVs (unless in original manufacturer's packaging), and restricted items.
Cover basis: Total loss or total theft of entire consignment only — not individual item loss or damage.
Action required: If your shipment contains goods worth more than the SDR liability limit, request enhanced liability cover at booking. Do not assume your goods are insured — they are not unless you have requested and paid for cover in advance.
Clause 7
You are the legal customs declarant
Standard T&Cs Clause 7 · Customs
Excess Luggage Co. acts as your Direct Representative for customs purposes — making declarations in your name and on your behalf. You are solely responsible for the accuracy, completeness, and legality of all information and documentation provided.
Your liability: You remain fully liable for all customs duties, taxes, charges, penalties, fines, and interest — whether assessed before or after clearance.
Indemnity: You must indemnify Excess Luggage Co. against all costs and liabilities arising from acting as your Direct Representative, including demands from customs authorities.
Inaccurate declarations: The company has no liability for customs penalties arising from incorrect information you have provided.
Your obligation: Declare all contents accurately and honestly. Undervaluing goods, misdescribing contents, or omitting items is a customs offence under UK and EU law and may result in prosecution.
Clauses 10 & 14
Abandoned goods & lien — charges continue
Standard T&Cs Clause 10 (Storage & Disposal) · Clause 14 (Lien)
Excess Luggage Co. has a general lien over your goods for all charges due. If charges are unpaid, goods may be stored, sold, or destroyed. Abandonment does not release you from liability — charges continue to accrue.
Abandonment includes: refusing delivery, failing to pay charges (including revised charges), or failing to provide instructions. You do not have to formally say "I abandon these goods."
After 7 days' notice: Goods may be sold or disposed of — proceeds applied to outstanding charges. Any shortfall remains your liability.
Perishable or hazardous goods may be disposed of immediately without notice.
Surplus proceeds: Any amount remaining after charges are settled will be paid to you (consumer customers — Clause 2A).
Important: Refusing to pay a revised charge does not make your goods free — it triggers lien and storage charges that continue to accrue until the goods are released, sold, or destroyed.
Clause 4
Excess Luggage Co. acts as agent — not carrier
Standard T&Cs Clause 4 · Company Status
In most circumstances, Excess Luggage Co. acts as your agent — arranging carriage on your behalf through third-party carriers (such as DHL, FedEx, or other carriers at the company's discretion). The company is not itself the carrier of your goods.
What this means: The company arranges the shipment on your behalf and is not directly liable for the acts of carriers, subcontractors, or third parties — provided it exercised reasonable skill and care in selecting them.
Claims against carriers: You cannot bring claims directly against DHL, FedEx, or any other subcontracted carrier. All claims must be brought against Excess Luggage Co. only. All claims must be brought against Excess Luggage Co. only.
Consumer protection: Consumer customers have additional protections under Clause 2A and the Consumer Rights Act 2015 — the company must perform services with reasonable skill and care.
ℹ As your agent, the company contracts with carriers on your behalf. The terms of those carrier contracts — including liability limits — may also apply to your shipment.
Clause 13
Prohibited goods — disposal without compensation
Standard T&Cs Clause 13 · Special Goods
The company does not accept dangerous, hazardous, high-value, or prohibited goods except under prior written arrangement. Goods tendered without agreement or misdeclared may be refused, stored, returned, disposed of, or destroyed — at your cost and without compensation.
Prohibited include: bullion, jewellery, currency, antiques, artworks, dangerous goods, explosives, perfumes, aerosols, batteries (loose), firearms, animals, tobacco, narcotics.
If found: Items will be removed. A £150 administration fee plus any carrier/handling charges will be passed to you. Shipment delayed until charges are paid.
No compensation: The company is under no obligation to return prohibited items or give notice of their removal.
Your declaration: By signing the consignment form you declare your shipment contains none of these items. A false declaration may render you liable to prosecution under the Aviation and Maritime Security Act 1990.
Clause 2A
Your rights as a consumer customer
Standard T&Cs Clause 2A · Consumer Contract Override Provisions
If you are an individual shipping for personal (non-commercial) purposes, you are a Consumer under the T&Cs. Additional protections apply to you under Clause 2A and the Consumer Rights Act 2015.
Services with reasonable skill and care: The company must perform services to this standard. If it fails, you are entitled to remedies under applicable law.
Liability limits: SDR-based limits apply only to the extent they are fair and reasonable in the circumstances.
Time limits for claims: The 3-month limit applies only to the extent it is fair and does not deprive you of a reasonable opportunity to bring a claim.
Lien and sale: The company must provide reasonable notice and act commercially reasonably. You are entitled to any surplus proceeds after charges.
Nothing in the T&Cs removes your statutory rights under the Consumer Rights Act 2015, including the right to services performed with reasonable skill and care.
Enhanced liability cover · comparison
Standard SDR liability vs enhanced cover — what is the difference
The table below illustrates the difference between standard SDR liability and enhanced cover for common shipment weights. Enhanced cover must be requested and paid for at booking — not after. Contact customer services for current enhanced cover pricing.
Standard SDR liability vs enhanced cover · at £1.0211 per SDR
SDR rate: June 2025 · Rate fluctuates dailyBag weight
SDR total
GBP equivalent (today)
Recommendation
10 kg (hand luggage size)
70 SDR
~£71
Enhanced cover recommended if contents value > £71
15 kg (cabin bag)
80 SDR
~£82
Enhanced cover recommended for most personal effects
23 kg (standard hold bag)
96 SDR
~£98
Enhanced cover strongly recommended
25 kg (Excess Luggage max standard)
100 SDR
~£102
Enhanced cover strongly recommended
30 kg (standard; surcharge if heavier per item)
110 SDR
~£112
Enhanced cover essential for most shipments
Remember: Standard SDR liability covers the whole consignment — not individual items within it. It applies on a total loss or total theft basis only. It does not cover individual item damage, partial loss, or water damage. Enhanced liability cover is available at an additional charge and must be agreed and paid before shipment. Cover is not available for glass, ceramics, fragile items, or items excluded under the hazardous goods policy. Ask customer services for current enhanced cover rates and terms before booking.
Enhanced liability cover · Clause 11B
Insurance options — protect your shipment beyond the SDR limit
Standard SDR liability typically covers only a steep fee per extra bag. If your goods are worth more than this, enhanced liability cover must be requested and paid for before shipment — it cannot be added after collection. Use the calculator below to estimate your cover cost.
Why enhanced cover matters
A typical suitcase for a two-week holiday — clothing, shoes, toiletries, a laptop, a tablet — can easily be worth significant fees,500 or more. Standard SDR liability covers approximately £102 for a 25kg bag. That leaves a potential gap of over £1,000 unprotected. Enhanced liability cover closes that gap for a small additional fee — and must be in place before your goods leave your door.
£102
Standard limit
25kg bag
25kg bag
Enhanced liability cover calculator
Indicative premium estimate · confirm with customer services before bookingTotal fair market value of all items in your shipment
£
Cover applies to the whole consignment
#
Owner packed luggage — one standard rate
Your enhanced liability cover cost
Declared goods value£500
Standard SDR liability limit~£102
Your unprotected gap~£398
Cover typeTotal loss & total theft
Packing typeOwner packed
Number of items1
Premium rate5% of declared value
Minimum charge£75.00
5% of declared value£25.00
Minimum applies?Yes — minimum £75
Cover amount£500
Policy excess on all claims£150.00
Effective max claim value£350
Enhanced cover premium
Premium is 5% of declared value, minimum £75.00. All claims subject to £150.00 excess. Cover is on a total loss and total theft of entire consignment basis — owner packed goods. Must be agreed and paid before shipment. Subject to Excess Luggage Co. Standard Terms & Conditions of Trading (2001–2026) and underwriters' standard policy terms and conditions (Clause 11a). Excess Luggage Co. is not an insurer — cover is arranged as agent (Clause 11B). Policy restrictions apply to certain countries.
What is and is not covered — enhanced liability cover
Covered (with enhanced)
Clothing, shoes, textiles — all conditions
Books, documents, printed matter
Sports equipment (non-motorised)
Kitchen utensils and household items
Children's toys (non-electronic)
Musical instruments (non-electric)
Bicycles (properly packaged)
Suitcases and luggage bags
Covered with conditions
Laptops and computers — must be in original manufacturer's packaging
LCD/Plasma TVs — must be in original manufacturer's packaging
Cameras and electronics — original packaging required for full cover
Mobile phones — limited liability basis; original packaging preferred
Costume jewellery & accessories — personal use quantities only
Golf clubs & ski equipment — must be in purpose-built travel case
Prescription medicines — with valid prescription documentation
Not covered — ever
Glass, ceramics, china, porcelain
Fragile or breakable items of any kind
Jewellery, watches, precious stones
Gold, silver, bullion, currency
Antiques and works of art
Prohibited or hazardous goods
Aerosols, perfumes, batteries (loose)
Any item not declared on the packing list
Loss arising from incorrect declaration
Consequential or indirect losses
Claims procedure · Clauses 21 & 26
How to make a claim — and the deadlines you must meet
Claims notification deadlines are a condition of the company's liability. Missing these deadlines may bar your claim entirely. Act immediately if your goods are lost, damaged, or delayed.
Claims notification timeline — what to do and when
On delivery
Apparent damage — notify immediately
If goods appear damaged or lost on delivery, notify Excess Luggage Co. in writing at the time of delivery. Do not accept and sign without noting the damage.
Within 7 days
Non-apparent damage or delay
Concealed damage discovered after delivery, or shipment delay — notify in writing within 7 days of the date of delivery or the date goods should have been delivered.
Support your claim
Provide documentation
All claims must be supported by: proof of value · proof of loss or damage · photographs where applicable · packing details. This is why photographing goods before collection is strongly recommended.
Within 3 months
Legal proceedings — hard deadline
Legal proceedings must be commenced and written notice given to the company within 3 months of delivery, expected delivery date, or the event giving rise to the claim. After this, claims are time-barred.
Before you proceed to booking
By booking with Excess Luggage Co. you confirm that you have read and understood the key terms summarised on this page, that you accept the Standard Terms and Conditions of Trading (2001–2026), and that you understand and accept the obligations and limitations set out below. Booking constitutes acceptance of the full T&Cs (Clause 27 — Electronic Acceptance).
I understand that transit times are estimates only and are not guaranteed. Delay does not entitle me to compensation beyond the charges for the affected service.
I understand that all quotes are estimates only and may be revised — including after collection — based on actual weight, dimensions, or other factors.
I understand that the standard liability limit is SDR-based — approximately £102 for a 25kg bag at current rates — and that my goods are not automatically insured.
I understand that enhanced liability cover must be requested and paid for before shipment if I wish to cover my goods beyond the standard SDR limit.
I am the legal customs declarant. I will declare all contents accurately and honestly. I understand that incorrect declarations may result in customs penalties for which I am liable.
I understand I must notify Excess Luggage Co. in writing immediately on delivery of any apparent damage. Legal proceedings must begin within 3 months.
My shipment contains no prohibited items — no perfumes, aerosols, loose batteries, firearms, animals, tobacco, narcotics, high-value items, or hazardous goods.
The sender and receiver are the same person — my name appears on both the UK and destination address on the consignment form.
This acknowledgement is provided for transparency purposes. Full Standard Terms and Conditions of Trading (2001–2026) govern your shipment and are available on request from info@excessluggage.co.uk. This page does not constitute legal advice. For disputes or complex queries, seek independent legal advice. Governing law: England and Wales (Clause 28). Excess Luggage Co. is a UK-registered company. No affiliation with any other company of a similar name outside the UK.
Frequently asked questions
Key T&C questions — answered honestly
SDR stands for Special Drawing Right — an international monetary unit set by the IMF whose GBP value changes daily. Under Clause 25 of the T&Cs, standard liability is 50 SDR plus 2 SDR per kilogram of your shipment. For a typical 25kg bag this equals 100 SDR — approximately £102 at current rates. This is the maximum contractual liability under standard terms if your goods are lost. It is not insurance. If your goods are worth more than this, request enhanced liability cover at booking.
No. Under Clause 19, all transit times are estimates only. Delay does not entitle you to refuse delivery, withhold payment, or cancel the contract. Liability for delay (where proven) is limited to the charges for the affected service — not the value of your goods or any consequential losses such as missed flights, accommodation, or holiday costs. This is why we strongly recommend booking collection well in advance and building in buffer time.
Yes. Under Clause 9, all quotations are estimates only and charges may be revised at any time — including after collection. This most commonly happens when actual weight or dimensions at the depot differ from what was declared at booking. Revised charges are payable immediately. Refusing to pay revised charges may result in goods being held under lien. Always declare accurate weights and dimensions at booking to avoid surprises.
Under Clause 14, Excess Luggage Co. has a general lien over your goods for all charges due. If charges are unpaid, after 7 days' written notice the company may sell your goods and apply the proceeds towards outstanding charges. Any shortfall remains your liability. Charges continue to accrue during storage. For consumer customers, Clause 2A requires the company to act reasonably and you are entitled to any surplus proceeds after charges are deducted.
Possibly, but it is difficult. Under Clause 21, non-apparent (concealed) damage must be notified in writing within 7 days of delivery. Failure to notify within this period may create a presumption that goods were delivered in good condition — and may bar your claim. For consumer customers, Clause 2A provides some additional protection if the 7-day limit is unfair in the circumstances. Always inspect goods as soon as possible after delivery and photograph them before and after transit. Notify us immediately if anything appears wrong.
In most circumstances, no. Under Clause 4, Excess Luggage Co. acts as your agent — arranging carriage on your behalf through third-party carriers such as DHL, FedEx, or other carriers engaged at the company's discretion. The company is not itself the carrier. This means claims for loss or delay caused by the carrier must be brought against Excess Luggage Co. — not the carrier directly. The company is not liable for the acts of carriers where it has exercised reasonable skill and care in selecting them. Consumer customers have additional protection under Clause 2A.