# Contract of Transport

*Last updated: 2026-06-23*

> The contract of carriage is the legal foundation of every freight movement: it binds a carrier to transport goods from origin to destination in exchange for a freight payment, and governs liability, delivery conditions, rate calculation, and the consequences of loss, damage, or delay.

The contract of carriage is the legal foundation of every freight movement: it binds a carrier to transport goods from origin to destination in exchange for a freight payment, and governs liability, delivery conditions, rate calculation, and the consequences of loss, damage, or delay. The applicable legal regime depends on the mode of transport – CMR for road, CIM for rail, the Montreal Convention for air, and bill of lading terms for sea freight. In forwarding practice, the contract takes physical form as a consignment note, bill of lading, or air waybill, each serving simultaneously as evidence of the agreement and as a receipt for the goods. It is distinct from a freight forwarding contract, under which the forwarder organises transport on behalf of the shipper but does not itself assume the role of carrier.

**Source:** [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Contract_of_carriage](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Contract_of_carriage)

## Quick Facts

| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Term | Contract of Transport |
| Language | EN |
| Word count | 135 |
| Last updated | 2026-06-23 |
| Source | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Contract_of_carriage |

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