# Transport liability

*Last updated: 2026-06-22*

> Unlike general contractual liability, transport liability is a statutory obligation imposed on carriers by international law, not derived from individual contract terms.

Unlike general contractual liability, transport liability is a statutory obligation imposed on carriers by international law, not derived from individual contract terms. The applicable regime depends on the mode: the CMR governs road freight, the CIM covers rail, the Hague-Visby Rules apply to sea cargo, and the Montreal Convention regulates air freight. A defining feature is the liability cap – carriers are exposed only to the statutory maximum per kilogram or per unit, not to unlimited claims, unless wilful misconduct or gross negligence is proven. Whatever value exceeds that ceiling remains an uninsured risk for the shipper or consignee, which a cargo insurance policy must cover. Transport liability is distinct from general commercial liability and from the specific terms found in standard freight forwarder trading conditions.

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

## Quick Facts

| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Term | Transport liability |
| Language | EN |
| Word count | 126 |
| Last updated | 2026-06-22 |
| Source | https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Verkehrshaftung |

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