Act within 48 hours
The first few days determine what you can still recover. Stock that is still identifiable at the bankrupt business is often later sold or mixed with other stock.
Short answer: block deliveries, gather your supporting documents, invoke retention of title in writing and then submit your claim to the bankruptcy trustee.
Step-by-step guide
- Stop deliveries. Block the customer in your ERP system and inform sales and logistics.
- Shipments in transit. Try to stop transport while the goods have not yet been delivered.
- Compile your file. Invoices, order confirmations, delivery notes, terms and conditions and evidence that those terms apply.
- Invoke retention of title. Write to the bankruptcy trustee, giving an exact description and serial numbers where possible.
- Submit your claim. State the total amount excluding and including VAT, with supporting details for each invoice.
- Notify any priority rights. Indicate whether you have a right of pledge, a right of retention or other security.
- Request confirmation. Ask the bankruptcy trustee to confirm inclusion on the list of creditors.
- Accounting. Assess write-offs and VAT recovery on bad debts with your accountant.
What you need each document for
| Document | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Invoices | Basis and amount of the claim |
| Order confirmation | Evidence of the agreement |
| Signed delivery note | Evidence of delivery |
| Terms and conditions | Basis for retention of title and interest |
| Correspondence | Evidence of payment demands and acknowledgement of the debt |
Realistic expectations
Ordinary unsecured creditors receive little or no distribution in many cases. After a few months, the bankruptcy trustee's public report provides an initial indication of the estate balance.
Prevention costs less
Every euro you try to recover here takes time, with a limited chance of success. Invest in customer acceptance policies, credit limits and monitoring beforehand.
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Sources and scope
Examples and policy choices in this article are illustrative, not a current quotation, fixed standard or financial or legal advice. The editorial revision date relates to the summary, structure and source references; it is not a reference date for the underlying data.
| Primary source | What is it used for? |
|---|---|
| De Rechtspraak — Central Insolvency Register | Official insolvency notices and available public reports; check the relevant entity and the date of the court ruling. |
| CBS (Statistics Netherlands) — bankruptcies, key figures | National bankruptcy statistics with reporting periods, definitions and explanatory notes. |
| KVK (Dutch Chamber of Commerce) — checking business partners | Company identification and checks on business partners. |
Source links support the topic mentioned, but do not automatically substantiate all percentages, time frames or examples in this article. Check current terms and rules with the responsible authority.
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