If your package arrived with missing items, the most useful evidence is proof of what arrived, what was supposed to arrive, and the parcel’s condition when you opened it. Start by saving the outer packaging, the packing slip, the order page, and clear photos of the contents before you throw anything away.
For a missing-items claim, these are the main pieces of evidence to collect:
- Order confirmation or order details showing the item names and quantities
- Tracking number and delivery status
- Photos of the parcel as delivered, including the shipping label
- Photos of the opened box or bag, including any damaged, resealed, or empty inner packaging
- A photo or video showing what is actually inside the parcel
- The packing slip, invoice, or any item list included with the shipment
- Messages from the seller or marketplace if the order was split into separate parcels
If the parcel looks tampered with, photograph the tape, torn edges, broken seals, or any signs that the box was opened before delivery. That detail matters because a missing-item claim can turn on whether the parcel arrived damaged, resealed, or simply incomplete.
If your order contained several items, write down exactly which item is missing and how many units are missing. “One of three items missing” is much more useful than “some things were not inside.” If the seller shipped items separately, check the tracking records and order page before opening a dispute, because the missing item may still be in another parcel.
If the carrier label, manifest, or tracking page shows parcel weight, save that too. It can help if the parcel weight appears too low for the full order, but not every shipment shows this information.
When you contact the seller, marketplace, or carrier, send:
- Your order number
- Tracking number
- A short description of what is missing
- The photos you took
- Any packing slip or invoice
- The date you received the parcel
Ask them to confirm what evidence they need for a missing-items claim and whether they want photos, a statement, or a formal report number. If you report through a marketplace, use the claim or dispute record there, because the platform usually needs the order details and the date you received the parcel.
If the package is only partially empty and you are not sure whether something fell out during delivery or was never packed, keep the entire parcel and all inserts. Do not return items or discard packaging until the seller, marketplace, or carrier has confirmed what to do next.
Practical tip: take your photos before rearranging the contents, because a picture of the parcel exactly as it arrived is often stronger proof than a later photo of the same box.
