GlossaryEN1 min readUpdated: Jun 26, 2026

Liability limitation under the German Commercial Code (HGB)

Under the German Commercial Code (HGB), liability for freight forwarders, carriers, and warehousemen is capped by law: the HGB liability limitation sets the maximum compensation payable in cases of cargo loss, damage, or delay.

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Last updated: 26 June 2026Published: 27 January 2026

Source: https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/hgb/

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Definition & Explanation

Under the German Commercial Code (HGB), liability for freight forwarders, carriers, and warehousemen is capped by law: the HGB liability limitation sets the maximum compensation payable in cases of cargo loss, damage, or delay. Limits are typically expressed per kilogram of gross weight or as a fixed amount per consignment, and they cease to apply where the carrier acted with intent or gross negligence. In day-to-day forwarding operations, these thresholds determine how much insurance cover a shipper actually needs—when cargo value exceeds the statutory cap, the residual risk falls on the cargo owner. Shippers should also review any additional contractual clauses in the forwarder's general terms, which may modify these limits within the bounds permitted by law.

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Recommended format: Source: Freight Academy – Liability limitation under the German Commercial Code (HGB) (https://www.freight-academy.com/en/glossary/liability-limitation-under-the-german-commercial-code-hgb), accessed 2026-10-05
APA style: Freight Academy Editorial Team. (2026). Liability limitation under the German Commercial Code (HGB). Freight Academy. https://www.freight-academy.com/en/glossary/liability-limitation-under-the-german-commercial-code-hgb
BibTeX: @misc{liabilitylimitationunder2026, title = {Liability limitation under the German Commercial Code (HGB)}, author = {{Freight Academy Editorial Team}}, year = {2026}, url = {https://www.freight-academy.com/en/glossary/liability-limitation-under-the-german-commercial-code-hgb}, note = {Freight Academy, accessed 2026-10-05} }

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