# Contract of carriage

*Last updated: 2026-06-16*

> A freight forwarder books truck capacity, a shipping line issues a bill of lading, an airline sends an air waybill – in each case, a contract of carriage underpins the transaction.

A freight forwarder books truck capacity, a shipping line issues a bill of lading, an airline sends an air waybill – in each case, a contract of carriage underpins the transaction. Under this agreement, the carrier undertakes to transport goods or persons from origin to destination in exchange for payment of freight charges. The governing legal framework varies by mode: the Hague-Visby Rules apply to sea carriage, the Montreal Convention to air freight, and the CMR Convention to international road haulage. Carriers bear liability for loss or damage in transit, subject to the limits set by statute or contract. Standardized booking templates accelerate daily operations, but shippers should always scrutinize clauses covering payment terms, transit times, and compensation. Not to be confused with a charter party, which governs the hire of a vessel rather than the carriage of specific cargo.

**Source:** [https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beförderungsvertrag](https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beförderungsvertrag)

## Quick Facts

| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Term | Contract of carriage |
| Language | EN |
| Word count | 140 |
| Last updated | 2026-06-16 |
| Source | https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beförderungsvertrag |

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