# Montreal Convention liability limits

*Last updated: 2026-06-19*

> Freight forwarders and cargo insurers consistently work within the liability framework of the Montreal Convention, an international treaty that caps the compensation obligations of air carriers toward passengers and cargo shippers.

Freight forwarders and cargo insurers consistently work within the liability framework of the Montreal Convention, an international treaty that caps the compensation obligations of air carriers toward passengers and cargo shippers. The limits differ by type of claim: thresholds for death and bodily injury are set separately from those covering lost or damaged cargo and baggage. Amounts are denominated in Special Drawing Rights (SDRs) as defined by the International Monetary Fund. As a rule, these ceilings apply per incident, though they can be set aside if wilful misconduct on the part of the carrier is established. Shippers of high-value goods who require coverage beyond the statutory limits must arrange supplementary cargo insurance. The Montreal Convention superseded the Warsaw Convention system and now governs most international air carriage.

**Source:** [https://www.icao.int/secretariat/legal/List%20of%20Parties/Mtl99_EN.pdf](https://www.icao.int/secretariat/legal/List%20of%20Parties/Mtl99_EN.pdf)

## Quick Facts

| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Term | Montreal Convention liability limits |
| Language | EN |
| Word count | 127 |
| Last updated | 2026-06-19 |
| Source | https://www.icao.int/secretariat/legal/List%20of%20Parties/Mtl99_EN.pdf |

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