# Expiration date

*Last updated: 2026-06-22*

> Freight forwarders, warehouse operators, and customs officers check the expiration date to confirm that goods remain fit for trade and transport.

Freight forwarders, warehouse operators, and customs officers check the expiration date to confirm that goods remain fit for trade and transport. It marks the final date on which a product may lawfully be used, sold, or shipped; beyond that point, goods are generally considered unfit for carriage or must be disposed of. In international trade, expiration dates for perishable cargo – foodstuffs, pharmaceuticals, chemicals – must appear on the commercial invoice, packing list, and customs declaration, as many destination countries require a minimum remaining shelf life at the time of import. The expiration date differs fundamentally from the best-before date: the former is a hard legal boundary, the latter a quality indication only. For temperature-controlled shipments, a broken cold chain can effectively shorten the practical shelf life and thus the importability of the goods.

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

## Quick Facts

| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Term | Expiration date |
| Language | EN |
| Word count | 134 |
| Last updated | 2026-06-22 |
| Source | https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haltbarkeitsdatum |

---

*Logistics Glossary — Freight Academy: [https://www.freight-academy.com/en/glossary/expiration-date](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/glossary/expiration-date)*

*Markdown mirror: [https://www.freight-academy.com/api/md/glossary/en/expiration-date](https://www.freight-academy.com/api/md/glossary/en/expiration-date)*

*JSON summary: [https://www.freight-academy.com/api/v1/glossary/expiration-date/llm-summary?lang=en](https://www.freight-academy.com/api/v1/glossary/expiration-date/llm-summary?lang=en)*