GlossaryEN1 min readUpdated: Jun 25, 2026

International Air Cargo Liability Regulations

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Last updated: 25 June 2026Published: 19 June 2025

Source: https://www.icao.int/secretariat/legal/List%20of%20Parties/Mtl99_EN.pdf

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Logistics Concept

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1 min

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105

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Definition & Explanation

Unlike road freight liability, which varies considerably across jurisdictions, international air cargo liability is governed by two global frameworks: the Warsaw Convention of 1929 and the Montreal Convention of 1999. Both establish maximum compensation limits for air carriers in cases of loss, damage, or delay. The Montreal Convention has superseded the Warsaw system in most signatory states: it sets higher liability caps, streamlines the claims process, and requires airlines to maintain adequate insurance cover. For freight forwarders and shippers, the critical practical point is that these statutory limits often fall well short of actual cargo value – making supplementary cargo insurance essential in most shipments.

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International Air Cargo Liability Regulations

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Related Terms

All-Cargo Aircraft Operations

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