Lost Luggage – What to Do: Your Comprehensive Guide
Losing your luggage can happen to anyone and is often stressful and costly. Whether it happens at the airport, on the train or on the road, it's important to act quickly and systematically to increase your chances of recovering your luggage. This guide will help you understand what steps to take when you've lost your luggage, who to contact, and how to effectively report the loss.
1. Keep calm
The first and most important step to take when your baggage goes missing is to stay calm. Panic can cause you to make rash decisions or miss important steps. Take a moment to collect yourself, then proceed in a systematic way.
2. Start looking
Think carefully about where you were last and where you might have lost your baggage. Go back to those places and search them thoroughly. Ask in shops or with people in the area if anyone has found and handed in your baggage.
3. Lost baggage at the airport
Losing baggage at the airport can be especially frustrating. Here are the steps you should take immediately:
3.1. Keep calm
Stay calm and check the other conveyor belts first, as your baggage may sometimes end up on a different belt.
3.2. Report to the baggage counter
If your baggage is not visible on any of the conveyor belts, contact the staff at the baggage counter in the arrivals hall immediately. Inform them about the loss of your baggage and have your flight ticket with the baggage registration number ready. Describe your suitcase as accurately as possible to facilitate the search.
3.3. Reporting loss (PIR)
If your baggage cannot be found using the baggage number, you must file a Property Irregularity Report (PIR). Provide your address, phone number and combination to your security lock. As soon as your baggage turns up, it will be sent to the home or hotel address provided on the same day. Be sure to get a copy of the report, as this is important for claiming compensation from the airline. Submit the claim report to the airline no later than two days after your baggage was lost.
3.4 Contacting the airline
If your baggage has still not been found after three days, you must contact your airline. The airline will initially provide you with necessary toiletries and will later reimburse you for other items you may need, such as clothing, towels or razors. Keep all receipts carefully.
4. Lost baggage on the train
You may also lose your luggage on the train. Here are the steps you should follow:
4.1. Report the loss to the railway company online
If you left your luggage on the train itself, you can report the loss to Deutsche Bahn online. You can also check whether your luggage has already been found.
4.2. Submit a claim at the station
Go to the DB Information desk or the lost property office at the station and fill out a report about the loss of your baggage.
4.3. Contacting the lost property office
If your luggage is handed in at the lost property office, you will be informed. You then have three weeks to pick it up. If you are unable to pick up your luggage yourself for whatever reason, you can have it sent to you for a fee. If the owner is not found after three weeks, the lost property office will send the items to the central lost property office.
5. Place a search ad
Use platforms such as suchen.expert to place an ad about the loss of your baggage. Provide the following information:
5.1 Type of baggage: suitcase, backpack, bag, etc.
5.2 Place and date of loss: the exact place and time when the baggage was lost.
5.3 Description: Details of the baggage (e.g. brand, colour, special features).
5.4 Photo: If possible, a picture of the lost baggage.
5.5 Contact information: Your phone number and email address.
5.6 Important: Don't forget to clearly indicate the location of your loss in order to better focus the search.
6. Offer a reward
According to the German Civil Code (Section 971 BGB), finders of lost property are entitled to a finder's reward:
- Lost property over €10: finder's reward of at least 5% of the value of the baggage.
- Lost property over €500: finder's reward of at least €25 plus 3% of the value over €500.
Offering a reward can increase the motivation to quickly return your luggage.
7. File a report with the police
If your luggage cannot be found, you should immediately go to the nearest police station and report the loss. The police will file a report against unknown persons, which can be helpful if your luggage has been stolen.
8. Check new documents and cards (optional)
If you had important documents and cards in your baggage, check whether these have also been lost. Although this is not directly related to the baggage loss, it may involve important steps to secure your personal information.
9. Obtain temporary documents
If you urgently need identification documents, you can apply for temporary documents from the relevant authorities:
- ID card or passport: Make an appointment at the ID card office or the citizens' centre.
- Driver's licence: Contact the appropriate driving licence office.
These provisional documents are usually only valid for a limited time and must be replaced by the regular ID cards as soon as they are ready.
10. Apply for new documents
After you have taken all the necessary steps, you should apply for new documents as soon as possible:
- ID card: Apply for a new ID card from the relevant authority.
- Credit and debit cards: Get new cards from your bank.
- Other cards: Apply for replacements for any other important cards that have been lost.
11. Check regularly on suchen.expert
Visit and check suchen.expert regularly to ensure that no new advertisements have been posted regarding your lost luggage. Often, notices or found items are reported directly via such platforms.
12. Further measures and points of contact
- Locksmith: If you had keys in your luggage and have lost them, you may need to hire a locksmith.
- Insurance: Check whether your insurance covers the loss.
- Police: If you suspect theft, report the loss to the police immediately.
13. Preventive measures to avoid future losses
To avoid future baggage losses, follow these tips:
Secure storage: Keep your luggage in a fixed, secure location, e.g. in a locked cupboard or safe.
Tracking technologies: Use GPS trackers or special luggage tags that can track the location of your luggage in real time.
Labelling: Mark your luggage with your contact details to make it easier to recover.
- Copies of important documents: Carry copies of important documents separately from the original so that you can react quickly in the event of loss.
- Security locks: Use secure locks and locks to better protect your luggage.
14. Conclusion
Losing luggage is an unpleasant and stressful situation, but it can be overcome with a systematic and quick approach. Keep calm, report the loss to the police and the airline or train company immediately, block all affected cards and apply for new documents. Use platforms such as suchen.expert to place an advert and support the search. You can avoid future losses and increase your security by taking preventive measures.
For more information and support, visit suchen.expert or contact local authorities and lost property offices directly.
The information displayed comes from publicly available sources and was last updated on 24/12/24. All retrievable content and explanations are non-binding and do not constitute legal advice. The Suchen Expert platform does not guarantee and is not liable for the accuracy or completeness of the published information.
