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Contract of Carriage
The agreement governing the movement of goods, including the parties' responsibilities and the carrier's conditions.
Understand it in practiceWhere it fits in the journey
Highlighted stages are commonly relevant- 01Agree — commonly relevant
- 02Prepare
- 03Transport
- 04Clear — commonly relevant
- 05Deliver
What to remember
Liability limits, time bars and claim procedures can matter as much as the freight rate. Keep the applicable terms with the shipment file.
Give each document its own job
| Document | Main question it answers |
|---|---|
| Commercial invoice | What was sold, by whom and at what value? |
| Packing list | What is inside each physical package? |
| Transport document | Who carries the goods and how are they released? |
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Before you book
For documents, have these details ready:
- Correct legal parties and shipment references
- Matching product descriptions, pieces and weights
- Required originals, authorizations and release instructions
Further reading
Plain-language educational guidance. The applicable contract, carrier tariff, official rules or insurance policy takes precedence. Illustrations show concepts, not a specific shipment or facility.