Bankruptcy monitoring for 3PL & logistics companies
Know before you release the freight or book the next load.
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Releasing cargo to a bankrupt shipper means chasing the trustee for payment
3PLs, freight brokers, and warehouse operators extend credit to shippers on standard terms. When a shipper files bankruptcy, the automatic stay bars them from paying invoices already due – and you may be holding cargo that belongs to the estate.
Continuing to move freight for an insolvent shipper after the filing date creates administrative claims that are difficult to collect. The earlier you know, the sooner you can put holds in place, assert a warehouseman's lien, or stop accepting new bookings.
How CaseWarn helps
Alert before the next load is dispatched
CaseWarn monitors filings every day. A shipper who files on Monday shows up in your inbox Tuesday morning – before the week's loads are dispatched.
Assert a warehouseman's lien in time
If you're holding goods for a bankrupt shipper, early notice gives you time to assert a lien before the trustee demands release of the cargo.
Monitor every active shipper account
Add your full customer list – shipper accounts, freight brokers, contracted carriers – and monitor all of them with no ongoing manual effort.
Real scenario
A regional 3PL has $78,000 in unpaid invoices from a mid-size food distributor and is currently holding 4 trailers of their inventory in a bonded warehouse. The distributor files Chapter 7 on a Tuesday. CaseWarn alerts the 3PL Wednesday morning. The 3PL immediately asserts a warehouseman's lien on the inventory and stops accepting new inbound shipments. They recover the outstanding balance through the lien rather than waiting as an unsecured creditor.
What you get with CaseWarn
- Assert a warehouseman's lien before the trustee demands cargo release
- Stop dispatching loads to insolvent shippers before more charges accrue
- Protect open AR on net-30 and net-60 accounts
- Monitor every active shipper, broker, and contracted customer simultaneously
Plans from $9/mo
One company is always free – no credit card required.
How it works
Add your customers
Upload a CSV or add names one by one. No EINs or SSNs required.
We monitor daily
CaseWarn checks every US federal bankruptcy court every morning.
You get an email
Match found? We email you: name, chapter, court, case number.
Frequently asked questions
What is a warehouseman's lien and how do I assert it?
A warehouseman's lien is the right to hold goods in your possession as security for unpaid storage and handling charges. Under UCC Article 7, you can assert this lien against goods in your facility – but it must be exercised before releasing the cargo. Early notice of a shipper's bankruptcy gives you time to assert the lien before the trustee demands release.
Can I keep accepting loads from a shipper in bankruptcy?
Technically you can, but it's risky. Post-petition services become administrative claims – paid before unsecured creditors – only if the debtor-in-possession formally approves the arrangement. Continuing without court approval risks non-payment. An early alert lets you pause new bookings and get clarity before accepting more freight.
What happens to my unpaid invoices if a shipper files Chapter 7?
Pre-filing invoices become unsecured claims in the bankruptcy estate. If assets are minimal, unsecured creditors may recover little or nothing. Any cargo you're holding may be claimed by the trustee. Having a warehouseman's lien in place – or asserting one immediately after the alert – significantly improves your position.
Does CaseWarn monitor freight brokers and carriers as well as shippers?
CaseWarn monitors any business entity you add to your watchlist. Whether you're monitoring shipper accounts, freight broker relationships, or contracted carriers, add any company name and CaseWarn will alert you if they file Chapter 7 or Chapter 11.
See also
Protect your freight and your receivables
Monitor every shipper account on your active list. One company is always free.
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