GlossaryEN1 min readUpdated: Jun 26, 2026

Piercing the Corporate Veil

Piercing the corporate veil is a legal doctrine that dismantles the liability shield of a separate legal entity, exposing the assets of its shareholders or parent company to creditors' claims.

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Last updated: 26 June 2026Published: 27 January 2026

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

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Logistics Concept

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Definition & Explanation

Piercing the corporate veil is a legal doctrine that dismantles the liability shield of a separate legal entity, exposing the assets of its shareholders or parent company to creditors' claims. In transport and logistics, courts apply this doctrine when a subsidiary carrier is deliberately undercapitalized or operated purely as a liability-evasion vehicle, with no genuine independence from its parent. Shippers or consignees who suffer loss may seek recourse against the controlling entity if the corporate form is shown to be a façade. The doctrine is distinct from general group liability, which requires its own statutory or contractual basis.

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