Cargo/Customs Question

[Fovean]

Not sure where this might fit so I've posted here...

Looking for advice/wisdom on Imperial procedures for cargo when a passenger doesn't survive a jump. Let's say a low berth passenger has paid to bring a few tons of cargo on the ship but doesn't wake up from cold sleep. What happens to their cargo?...

Storage until family shows up?

If no family or they can't be found can the ship captain take ownership? Does the starport take it?

How long before it is considered "free" for the taking?

I assume Low Passage requires some sort of 'next of kin' or 'in case of emergency' rider but paid cargo seems like a different thing.

Lastly, how might this differ on a world just across the border, like Pandrin in the Extents?

Thanks in advance

 

[Gray Lensman]

Ever read the "fine print" on that airline ticket?

(and I can't wait to hear this one!)

 

[ThunderChilde]

yeah, on ground hold and already read the inflight magazine and all the safety cards....................:rofl:

The answer is your goods are forfiet if the airline deems it so. Its entirely at thier discretion, and you agreed by closing the purchase and presenting yourself at the check in counter.

 

[HG_B]

Not sure where this might fit so I've posted here...

Looking for advice/wisdom on Imperial procedures for cargo when a passenger doesn't survive a jump. Let's say a low berth passenger has paid to bring a few tons of cargo on the ship but doesn't wake up from cold sleep. What happens to their cargo?...

Cargo, I'm not sure about. The body is placed into the food recyclers as per the Low Passage ticket contract, sub clause 203.1(a).

 

[Icosahedron]

I think this is one you'll have to decide with your own conscience. Maybe look up Inheritance Law or something. Or try enquiring to your local airline/rail company about Lost Property Policy. I doubt if you'll find anything in OTU canon.

One thing is for sure - storage costs money and neither the shipping company nor the starport is going to hold the stuff for long.
However, notwithstanding what it may say in the ship's articles or your flight ticket, I would imagine the company/starport would have some legal/moral obligation to seek out a next of kin, and with Traveller journey times that could take several months.

I would imagine that in the far future it would be a trivial matter to track several levels of a client's family tree, and I imagine that any client (personal or cargo) would be required to provide an emergency contact within the sector.

IMTU, I'd go with say 150% of the return message time across the sector. That would allow for the contact to receive word of the tragedy, make some arrangements, and send back instructions for dispatch. YMMV.

 

[rancke]

Looking for advice/wisdom on Imperial procedures for cargo when a passenger doesn't survive a jump. Let's say a low berth passenger has paid to bring a few tons of cargo on the ship but doesn't wake up from cold sleep. What happens to their cargo?...

There's no canon on the subject.

My take: The goods are stored by the SPA and a legal claimant can collect them after paying the storage fees. They are kept for a reasonable (or possibly statutory) length of time, after which the goods are auctioned off and the proceeds (after storage fees are paid) donated to the Distressed Spacefarer's Fund or something similar.

How long before it is considered "free" for the taking?

A year and a day?

Lastly, how might this differ on a world just across the border, like Pandrin in the Extents?

That would depend entirely on the nature of the local authorities.


Hans

 

[ThunderChilde]

If it's a third world Cleptocracy, what's yours is thiers already. Heck, it could be considered a key element of technology transfer in some places.

 

[jatay3]

There used to be a law about that at one city along the Silk Road, but I would have to go and look it up. Perhaps unclaimed baggage belonged to the Emir or something of the kind.

 

[CosmicGamer]

With the mortality rate low berth has, I think it possible that passengers declare what they want done with their body and possessions.