Comparison of freight forwarder liability in selected countries of the European Union and selected countries of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS)

Abstract

The continuous flow of movement of goods on the world market forces manufacturers to turn to intermediaries who are able to organize cargo transportation services. At the moment, the most common intermediary is a freight forwarder. This article defines the understanding of the term freight forwarder, its role in the supply chain, as well as the risks associated with transportation. This article analyses the part of forwarding contract which deals with a limitation of the forwarder’s liability. The limitation of the forwarder’s liability allows predicting the amount of compensation to the cargo owner in case of damage or loss of goods. In addition to the previously conducted analysis of the freight forwarder’s liability in the selected countries of the European Union, an analysis of the responsibility of freight forwarders in the selected CIS countries was carried out. Among other things, it was determined which national regulations regulate freight forwarding activities in these countries. The limitations of the liability of freight forwarders proposed by the conditions of the expedition of the national Associations of logistics and forwarding, compiled on the basis of the standard rules of the FIATA organization, are also considered.