GlossaryEN1 min readUpdated: Jun 26, 2026

Cargo Theft

Cargo theft is the unlawful taking of goods during transit or at warehouses and logistics facilities – through organized heists, vehicle hijacking, or systematic small-scale pilferage.

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Last updated: 26 June 2026Published: 27 January 2026

Source: https://www.investopedia.com/terms/c/cargo-theft.asp

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Logistics Concept

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Definition & Explanation

Cargo theft is the unlawful taking of goods during transit or at warehouses and logistics facilities – through organized heists, vehicle hijacking, or systematic small-scale pilferage. Its defining feature is criminal intent: unlike transport damage, theft involves deliberate planning, often by organised crime networks with inside knowledge of routes and schedules. High-value commodities – electronics, pharmaceuticals, spirits, tobacco – face the greatest exposure, and certain motorway corridors, truck stops, and port areas are well-documented hotspots. Freight operators counter the risk through real-time GPS tracking, geofencing alerts, bans on unsecured overnight parking, and use of TAPA TSR-certified secure facilities. On the insurance side, cargo policies covering theft indemnify the commercial loss; deductibles and security requirements are typically negotiated as policy conditions.

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Cargo Theft

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