Carrier's Reply to Claim

in the USSR, a document drawn up in the event of shortages, damage, or spoilage during rail, river, maritime, and air shipping. In rail shipping a carrier’s reply to claim is also made up on the demand of the consignee if the railroad has failed to deliver the shipment to a rail siding 24 hours after the load was officially recorded in the freight office. The reply to claim is drawn up in the manner established for the particular type of transportation, and a representative of the carrier participates. It is the basis of the financial liability of the transportation bodies, the sender, and the consignee. The right to submit complaints and bring suit in cases where this procedure is provided for can be exercised only if a carrier’s reply to claim is submitted.