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How to properly hand in lost property.

Whether it’s a phone, a teddy bear, or a bed frame, people lose all sorts of things on public transport.

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Lesezeit 3 min.

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Beitrag von Klara

In order to reunite a lost item with its owner, it needs to be handed in properly. We will show you here how you can hand in lost property that you found in one of our public transport services, and if you’re potentially entitled to a finder’s fee.

Where can I hand in lost property in the BVG?

If you find a lost item on the subway, in a bus, on a ferry, or in a tram, then you can hand it in to any of the following:

Alternatively, you can use the yellow button on our emergency call and information pillar to contact a member of staff, for example, if you’re unsure, if the bed frame you found really is lost property or the result of littering.

Lastly, you can also hand in lost property to the Berlin police at any time, but don’t forget to state the BVG as the location where you found it, so that everything arrives at our lost and found.

Did you know? If you find a lost pet, please take it to the animal collection center at the Tierheim Berlin – Berlin’s animal shelter. It’s open every day from 8am to 4pm and is located on the premises of the shelter itself. They also accept all species of animal, not just cats and dogs.

Do I have to hand in lost property?

Did you know that you are legally obliged to hand in lost property? It might seem tempting to simply pocket those forgotten AirPods, but section 965 of the German Civil Code (BGB) states that you must immediately report or hand in any lost property that you find. However, this only applies if the item is worth more than ten Euros. So please don’t hand in that bottle of beer that’s rolling around on the U8 or the half-eaten kebab left at the bus stop. As a rule of thumb, the BVG does not accept any litter or illegally discarded items.

Show me the money: The finder’s fee.

It’s worth it to be honest and hand in a lost item not just for those sweet karma points. If you find an item worth at least €50 then you’re entitled to a reward from the owner. The finder’s fee is valid for three years and is paid by the owner of the lost object and not the BVG. Lost property that isn’t collected after six weeks is auctioned off at the Ulrich Beier auction house. The proceeds are then stored in a separate bank account for three years, from which you can withdraw your reward.

How much you ultimately receive depends on the value of the item and is usually between three and five per cent of the value. So, as you can see, it’s worth it to hand in lost property not just for the sake of a clear conscience.

Summary

Now you know what to do the next time you find a lost bed frame or AirPods on the bus. Here’s an overview of the most important information: 

  • If you find a lost item that is worth more than ten Euros, then you’re legally obliged to hand it in. 
  • If the item is found at the BVG, you can hand it in to the driver, security staff or a customer center nearby.  
  • If the item is worth €50 or more, you are also entitled to a finder’s fee.