GlossaryEN1 min readUpdated: Jun 19, 2026

handover into custody

Handover into custody marks the point at which a carrier, warehouse operator, or freight forwarder assumes legal responsibility for goods entrusted to them.

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Last updated: 19 June 2026Published: 27 January 2026

Source: https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Obhut

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Logistics Concept

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Definition & Explanation

Handover into custody marks the point at which a carrier, warehouse operator, or freight forwarder assumes legal responsibility for goods entrusted to them. From this moment, the custodian is liable for loss, damage, or delay – liability ends when the goods are delivered to the consignee. The precise timing is critical in any damage claim: losses occurring before handover remain the sender's responsibility. The concept is closely tied to the liability frameworks of international conventions such as the CMR and the Hague-Visby Rules, which define the period of liability by reference to when the carrier takes charge of the goods. Handover into custody should not be confused with contractual acceptance: the two may diverge if goods are contractually acknowledged but not yet physically received.

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