GlossaryEN1 min readUpdated: Jun 26, 2026

CMR liability cap

Goods arrive damaged and the loss runs to tens of thousands of euros—yet the carrier's payout falls far short of that figure.

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Last updated: 26 June 2026Published: 27 January 2026

Source: https://unece.org/fileadmin/DAM/trans/conventn/CMR_e.pdf

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Logistics Concept

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Definition & Explanation

Goods arrive damaged and the loss runs to tens of thousands of euros—yet the carrier's payout falls far short of that figure. This is the effect of the CMR liability cap: under the Convention on the Contract for the International Carriage of Goods by Road (CMR), the carrier's liability for loss or damage is limited to a fixed amount per kilogram of gross weight of the goods lost or affected. This statutory ceiling applies regardless of the actual commercial value and comes into force whenever no declared value has been entered on the consignment note. Shippers moving high-value cargo should either declare the value on the CMR consignment note—which raises the liability ceiling proportionally—or arrange separate cargo insurance to cover the gap. The CMR Convention applies to international road transport where at least one contracting state is involved.

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