What Happens to Unclaimed Luggage at Airports?
If luggage remains unclaimed at the airport for more than 90 days, it is legally considered abandoned. While airlines make every effort to find the owner, the unclaimed baggage is eventually sold to liquidation companies, sold at lost baggage auctions, or donated to charity. This process helps airports manage storage while giving a second life to forgotten items.
How Does Luggage Become “Unclaimed”?
There are several reasons why personal belongings enter the unclaimed baggage cycle.
- Lost baggage: Technical errors can route a bag to the wrong destination, where it remains forgotten.
- Missing tags: If a luggage tag is lost during transit, the airline has no way to identify the owner.
- Incorrect contact info: Bags often sit in storage because the owner’s contact details are unreachable.
- Passenger never returns: Sometimes, passengers choose not to retrieve their bags due to the cost or logistics involved.
How Long Do Airlines Keep Lost Luggage?
Most airlines follow a 5 to 90 day timeline before a bag is officially designated as unclaimed luggage.
1. Stored in baggage facilities
For the first few days, the bag is held at the airport baggage service office. If no one comes forward, it is moved to a central airline warehouse where tracking systems like WorldTracer are used to match the bag with lost property reports.
2. The 90 day limit
Airlines typically hold onto bags for 90 days. After this window closes, the airline pays out a final settlement to the passenger, and the legal ownership of the unclaimed baggage is surrendered to be sold or liquidated.
What Happens After It Is Officially Unclaimed?
This is where the unclaimed baggage process becomes interesting. Once the airline is no longer legally responsible, the items are moved to the secondary market.
- Sold to liquidation companies: Massive retailers buy unclaimed baggage by the truckload. The most famous example is the Unclaimed Baggage store in the US, which processes thousands of items for resale.
- Lost baggage auctions: Some airports and carriers hold baggage auctions where buyers can bid on suitcases. Often, these are "blind auctions" where you do not know the contents until after the purchase.
- Donated to charities: Items like clothing and necessities that are not suitable for baggage auctions are donated to non-profit organizations.
- Destroyed in rare cases: Perishable or prohibited items are professionally destroyed.
Do Airports Open Your Luggage?
Yes, for security and inventory reasons. Before any unclaimed luggage can be sold at a baggage auction, it must be inspected.
Inventory process
Staff document the contents to look for internal identification. During this phase, items are separated from the suitcase to be cleaned, tested, or appraised for the liquidation market.
Can You Buy Unclaimed Luggage?
Can you buy unclaimed luggage? Yes, but not directly from the airport terminal. You must visit authorized liquidation stores or participate in official lost baggage auctions. These sales are a popular way for bargain hunters to find designer items and electronics at significantly reduced prices.
What Happens to Valuable Items?
Valuable goods found in unclaimed baggage undergo a specific sorting process to protect privacy and ensure quality.
- Electronics tested: Devices are checked for functionality and then professionally data-wiped.
- Jewelry separated: High-value jewelry is appraised before being sent to baggage auctions or retail counters.
- Personal documents destroyed: Passports and identification are never sold; they are securely destroyed to prevent identity theft.
How to Avoid Your Luggage Becoming Unclaimed
Preventing your bag from ending up in an unclaimed baggage center is straightforward with these steps:
- Update contact info: Ensure your current phone number is linked to your booking.
- Durable luggage tags: Use tags that won't easily tear off and place your itinerary inside the bag.
- Real-time tracking: Use airline apps to monitor your bag’s location.
Managing Baggage Claims with Seamless Connectivity
Losing a bag is not just an inconvenience; it is a communication challenge. You will need to stay in constant contact with airline agents, track updates via baggage apps, and potentially coordinate with international delivery services if your bag is found in another country.
This is where having a reliable data connection becomes a travel essential. Instead of relying on spotty airport Wi-Fi or facing expensive roaming charges while on hold with airline customer service, an Eskimo eSIM offers a smarter solution.
Why Eskimo is the best companion for baggage issues:
- Global Coverage: Eskimo’s data plans cover over 100 countries
- Long-Term Validity: Unlike local SIM cards that expire quickly, Eskimo data is valid for 2 years.
- Instant Activation: You can activate your eSIM immediately upon realizing there is an issue.
Having a stable internet connection ensures you never miss an airline notification and can resolve unclaimed baggage issues in real time. If your travel plans are further disrupted, remember to check our guide on what happens if you miss your flight to manage your belongings effectively.
FAQs
Where can I find lost baggage auctions?
Most baggage auctions are advertised online through airline-liquidation partners or government-surplus websites.
What is the most common item in unclaimed baggage?
Clothing is the most frequent item, followed by electronics like headphones and tablets, which are often sold at unclaimed baggage retail stores.
Is it legal to sell someone's lost bag?
Yes, once the 90-day holding period and legal settlement process are complete, the airline has the right to sell the property to recover storage costs.
