In the UK, the process for handling unclaimed luggage is strictly regulated. If a bag remains unclaimed at an airport for more than 90 days, it is legally considered abandoned. Initially, airlines use tracking systems like WorldTracer and search the bag's interior for identification to reunite it with its owner. If this fails and the 90-day window closes, the airline typically pays out a final settlement to the passenger, and the bag's contents are liquidated. High-value electronics are data-wiped and sold, while jewelry is appraised and auctioned. The most common destination for these items is specialized auction houses (like Greasbys in South London), where the public can bid on "blind" suitcases. Items that are not suitable for sale are often donated to UK-based charities. Personal documents, such as passports and IDs, are never sold; they are securely destroyed to prevent identity theft. In 2026, this system helps airports manage storage costs while ensuring that the "secondary market" for forgotten goods provides a small recovery of lost revenue for the carriers.