What legal regulations apply to international freight transport?
December 28, 2023 | 50,00 EUR | answered by Albrecht Zellmann
Dear Sir or Madam,
I have a question regarding the legal regulations for international goods transportation. I am the managing director of a company that regularly exports and imports goods abroad. However, we have recently encountered some problems, especially regarding customs regulations and liability issues.
Currently, we are facing the challenge that some of our goods have been damaged during import or export, and we are unsure who is liable for this. Additionally, we are having difficulties understanding and complying with the various customs regulations of different countries. We want to ensure that we meet all legal requirements to avoid legal consequences.
Therefore, my question is: What specific legal regulations apply to international goods transportation and how can we ensure that we comply with them correctly? Are there any specific contracts or agreements that we need to consider? What are our options in case of damages or losses during transportation, and how can we protect ourselves from liability claims?
I would greatly appreciate your professional advice on this matter, as it is crucial for our company to understand and comply with the applicable laws and regulations in international goods traffic.
Thank you in advance for your assistance.
Sincerely,
Jonas Pohlmann
Dear Mr. Pohlmann,
Thank you for your inquiry regarding the legal regulations for international goods transport. As the managing director of a company that regularly exports and imports goods abroad, it is important to understand and comply with the applicable laws and regulations in international trade in order to avoid legal consequences.
To answer your question in detail, I would like to first address the legal regulations for international goods transport. In general, both national and international regulations apply to the transport of goods across borders. The most important international regulations include the Convention on Contracts for the International Sale of Goods (CISG), the Convention on the Contract for the International Carriage of Goods by Road (CMR), and the Convention concerning International Carriage by Rail (COTIF). These agreements regulate contract terms, liability issues, and compensation claims in international goods transport.
To ensure that you comply with the applicable laws and regulations correctly, it is advisable to familiarize yourself with the specific customs regulations of the individual countries to which you export or import goods. Each country has different customs regulations and import restrictions that need to be adhered to. Therefore, it is recommended to engage a customs agent or a freight forwarder with experience in international trade to ensure that all customs formalities are handled correctly.
In case of damages or losses during transport, it is important to secure yourself in a timely manner. You can take out transport insurance to cover damages to the transported goods. Additionally, you should make contractual agreements with your transport service providers to clarify liability issues in advance and protect yourself against potential liability claims.
I hope this information is helpful and answers your questions regarding the legal regulations for international goods transport. If you need further advice or have specific legal questions, I am at your disposal.
Best regards,
Albrecht Zellmann
Attorney at Law
