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Standard Conditions (1997) governing the FIATA Multimodal Transport Waybill
Definitions
– «Freight Forwarder» means the person / Multimodal Transport Operator who issues this Waybill (FWB) and is
named on the face of it and assumes liability for the performance of this contract as a carrier.
– «Merchant» means and includes the Shipper, the Consignor, the Consignee, the Receiver and the Owner of the
Goods.
– «Consignor» means the person who concludes this FWB with the Freight Forwarder.
– «Consignee» means the person named in or identifiable as such from this transport contract.
– «Taken in charge» means that the Goods have been handed over to and accepted for carriage by the Freight Forwarder
at the place of receipt evidenced in this FWB.
– «Goods» means any property including live animals as well as containers, pallets or similar articles of transport or
packaging not supplied by the Freight Forwarder, irrespective of whether such property is to be or is carried on
or under deck.
1. Applicability
These conditions shall also apply if the transport as described in this FWB is performed by only one mode of
transport.
2. Issuance of this FWB
2.1. By issuance of this FWB the Freight Forwarder
a) undertakes to perform and/or in his own name to procure the performance of the transport, from the place
at which the Goods are taken in charge (place of receipt evidenced in this FWB) to the place of delivery designated
in this FWB;
b) assumes liability as a carrier as set out in these conditions.
2.2. Subject to the conditions of this FWB the Freight Forwarder shall be responsible for the acts and omissions of
his servants or agents acting within the scope of their employment, or any other person of whose services he
makes use for the performance of the contract evidenced by this FWB, as if such acts and omissions were his
own.
3. Agency
3.1. The Consignor on entering into this transport contract does so not only on his own behalf but also as agent for
and on behalf of the Consignee, and warrants to the Freight Forwarder that he has authority so to do.
3.2. This rule shall apply if, and only if, it be necessary by the law applicable to this transport contract so as to enable
the Consignee to sue and be sued thereon. The Consignee shall be under no greater liability than he would
have been had the transport contract been covered by a bill of lading or similar document of title.
4. Right of control
4.1. Unless the Consignor has exercised his option under clause 4.2. below, he shall be the only party entitled to
give the Freight Forwarder instructions in relation to this transport contract. Unless prohibited by the applicable
law, he shall be entitled to change the name of the Consignee at any time up to the Consignee claiming delivery
of the Goods after arrival at destination, provided he gives the Freight Forwarder reasonable notice in writing,
or by some other means acceptable to the Freight Forwarder, thereby undertaking to indemnify the Freight
Forwarder against any additional expense caused thereby.
4.2. The Consignor shall have the option, to be exercised not later than upon the receipt of the Goods by the Freight
Forwarder, to transfer the right of control to the Consignee. The exercise of this option must be noted on the
FWB prior to or at the time of its issue. Where the option has been exercised the Consignee shall have such
rights as are referred to in clause 4.1. above and the Consignor shall cease to have such rights.
5. Dangerous Goods and Indemnity
5.1. The Merchant shall comply with rules which are mandatory according to the national law or by reason of international
convention, relating to the carriage of Goods of a dangerous nature, and shall in any case inform the
Freight Forwarder in writing of the exact nature of the danger before Goods of a dangerous nature are taken in
charge by the Freight Forwarder and indicate to him, if need be, the precautions to be taken.
5.2. If the Merchant fails to provide such information and the Freight Forwarder is unaware of the dangerous nature
of the Goods and the necessary precautions to be taken and if, at any time, they are deemed to be a hazard to
life or property, they may at any place be unloaded, destroyed or rendered harmless, as circumstances may require,
without compensation. The Merchant shall indemnify the Freight Forwarder against all loss, damage, liability,
or expense arising out of their being taken in charge, or their carriage, or of any service incidental thereto.
The burden of proving that the Freight Forwarder knew the exact nature of the danger constituted by the carriage
of the said Goods shall rest on the Merchant.
5.3. If any Goods shall become a danger to life or property, they may in like manner be unloaded or landed at any
place or destroyed or rendered harmless. If such danger was not caused by the fault and neglect of the Freight
Forwarder he shall have no liability and the Merchant shall indemnify him against all loss, damage, liability and
expense arising therefrom.
6. Description of Goods and Merchant’s Packing and Inspection
6.1. The information in this FWB shall be prima facie evidence of the taking in charge by the Freight Forwarder of
the Goods as described by such information unless a contrary indication, such as «shipper’s weight, load and
count», «shipper–packed container» or similar expressions, has been made in the printed text or superimposed
on this FWB.
6.2. The Consignor shall be deemed to have guaranteed to the Freight Forwarder the accuracy, at the time the
Goods were taken in charge by the Freight Forwarder, of all particulars relating to the general nature of the
Goods, their marks, number, weight, volume and quantity and, if applicable, to the dangerous character of the
Goods, as furnished by him or on his behalf for insertion on the FWB.
The Consignor shall indemnify the Freight Forwarder against all loss, damage and expense resulting from any
inaccuracy or inadequacy of such particulars.
6.3. The Freight Forwarder shall not be liable for any loss, damage or expense caused by defective or insufficient
packing of Goods or by inadequate loading or packing within containers or other transport units when such
loading or packing has been performed by the Merchant or on his behalf by a person other than the Freight
Forwarder, or by the defect or unsuitability of the containers or other transport units supplied by the Merchant,
or if supplied by the Freight Forwarder if a defect or unsuitability of the container or other transport unit would
have been apparent upon reasonable inspection by the Merchant. The Merchant shall indemnify the Freight
Forwarder against all loss, damage, liability and expense so caused.
6.4. The right of the Freight Forwarder to an indemnity as per clause 6.2. and 6.3. shall in no way limit his liability
under this FWB to any person other than the Consignor.
7. Freight Forwarder’s Liability
7.1. The responsibility of the Freight Forwarder for the Goods under these conditions covers the period from the
time the Freight Forwarder has taken the Goods in his charge to the time of their delivery.
7.2. The Freight Forwarder shall be liable for loss of or damage to the Goods as well as for delay in delivery if the
occurrence which caused the loss, damage or delay in delivery took place while the Goods were in his charge,
unless the Freight Forwarder proves that no fault or neglect of his own, his servants or agents or any other person
referred to in clause 2.2. has caused or contributed to such loss, damage or delay. However, the Freight
Forwarder shall only be liable for loss following from delay in delivery if the Consignor has made a declaration
of interest in timely delivery which has been accepted by the Freight Forwarder.
7.3. Arrival times are not guaranteed by the Freight Forwarder. However, delay in delivery occurs when the Goods
have not been delivered within the time expressly agreed upon or, in the absence of such agreement, within the
time which would be reasonable to require of a diligent Freight Forwarder, having regard to the circumstances
of the case.
7.4. If the Goods have not been delivered within ninety consecutive days following such date of delivery as determined
in clause 7.3, the claimant may, in the absence of evidence to the contrary, treat the Goods as lost.
7.5. When the Freight Forwarder establishes that, in the circumstances of the case, the loss or damage could be
attributed to one or more causes or events, specified in a) – e) of the present clause, it shall be presumed that
it was so caused, always provided, however, that the claimant shall be entitled to prove that the loss or damage
was not, in fact, caused wholly or partly by one or more of such causes or events:
a) an act or omission of the Merchant, or person other than the Freight Forwarder acting on behalf of the Merchant
or from whom the Freight Forwarder took the Goods in charge;
b) insufficiency or defective condition of the packaging or marks and/or numbers;
c) handling, loading, stowage or unloading of the Goods by the Merchant or any person acting on behalf of
the Merchant;
d) inherent vice of the Goods;
e) strike, lockout, stoppage or restraint of labour.
7.6. Defences for carriage by sea or inland waterways
Notwithstanding clauses 7.2., 7.3. and 7.4. the Freight Forwarder shall not be liable for loss, damage or delay
in delivery with respect to Goods carried by sea or inland waterways when such loss, damage or delay during
such carriage has been caused by:
a) act, neglect, or default of the master, mariner, pilot or the servants of the carrier in the navigation or in the
management of the ship,
b) fire, unless caused by the actual fault or privity of the carrier, however, always provided that whenever loss
or damage has resulted from unseaworthiness of the ship, the Freight Forwarder can prove that due diligence
has been exercised to make the ship seaworthy at the commencement of the voyage.
8. Paramount Clauses
8.1. These conditions shall only take effect to the extent that they are not contrary to the mandatory provisions of
international conventions or national law applicable to the contract evidenced by this FWB.
8.2. The Hague Rules contained in the International Convention for the unification of certain rules relating to Bills of
Lading, dated Brussels 25th August 1924, or in those countries where they are already in force the Hague-Visby
Rules contained in the Protocol of Brussels, dated 23rd February 1968, as enacted in the country of shipment,
shall apply to all carriage of goods by sea and also to the carriage of goods by inland waterways, and such provisions
shall apply to all Goods whether carried on deck or under deck.
8.3. The Carriage of Goods by Sea Act of the United States of America (US COGSA) shall apply to the carriage of
Goods by sea, whether on deck or under deck, if compulsorily applicable to this FWB or would be applicable
but for the Goods being carried on deck in accordance with a statement on this FWB.
9. Limitation of Freight Forwarder’s Liability
9.1. Assessment of compensation for loss of or damage to the Goods shall be made by reference to the value of
such Goods at the place and time they are delivered to the Consignee or at the place and time when, in accordance
with this FWB, they should have been so delivered.
9.2. The value of the Goods shall be determined according to the current commodity exchange price or, if there is
no such price, according to the current market price or, if there are no such prices, by reference to the normal
value of Goods of the same kind and quality.
9.3. Subject to the provisions of clauses 9.4. to 9.9. inclusive, the Freight Forwarder shall in no event be or become
liable for any loss of or damage to the Goods in an amount exceeding the equivalent of 666.67 SDR per
package or unit or 2 SDR per kilogramme of gross weight of the Goods lost or damaged, whichever is the
higher, unless the nature and value of the Goods shall have been declared by the Consignor and accepted by
the Freight Forwarder before the Goods have been taken in his charge, or the ad valorem freight rate paid,
and such value is stated in the FWB by him, then such declared value shall be the limit.
9.4. Where a container, pallet or similar article of transport is loaded with more than one package or unit, the packages
or other shipping units enumerated in the FWB as packed in such article of transport are deemed packages
or shipping units. Except as aforesaid, such article of transport shall be considered the package or unit.
9.5. Notwithstanding the above mentioned provisions, if the transport does not, according to the contract, include
carriage of goods by sea or by inland waterways, the liability of the Freight Forwarder shall be limited to an
amount not exceeding 8.33 SDR per kilogramme of gross weight of the Goods lost or damaged.
9.6. a) When the loss of or damage to the Goods occurred during one particular stage of the transport, in respect
of which an applicable international convention or mandatory national law would have provided another
limit of liability if a separate contract of carriage had been made for that particular stage of transport, then
the limit of the Freight Forwarder’s liability for such loss or damage shall be determined by reference to
the provisions of such convention or mandatory national law.
b) Unless the nature and value of the Goods shall have been declared by the Merchant and inserted in this
FWB, and the ad valorem freight rate paid, the liability of the Freight Forwarder under US COGSA, where
applicable, shall not exceed US$ 500 per package or, in the case of Goods not shipped in packages, per
customary freight unit.
9.7. If the Freight Forwarder is liable in respect of loss following from delay in delivery, or consequential loss or
damage other than loss of or damage to the Goods, the liability of the Freight Forwarder shall be limited to an
amount not exceeding the equivalent of twice the freight for the transport under this FWB.
9.8. The aggregate liability of the Freight Forwarder shall not exceed the limits of liability for total loss of the Goods.
9.9. The Freight Forwarder is not entitled to the benefit of the limitation of liability if it is proved that the loss, damage
or delay in delivery resulted from a personal act or omission of the Freight Forwarder done with the intent
to cause such loss, damage or delay, or recklessly and with knowledge that such loss, damage or delay would
probably result.
10. Applicability to Actions in Tort
These conditions apply to all claims against the Freight Forwarder relating to the performance of the contract
evidenced by this FWB, whether the claim be founded in contract or in tort.
11. Liability of Servants and other Persons
11.1. These conditions apply whenever claims relating to the performance of the contract evidenced by this FWB
are made against any servant, agent or other person (including any independent contractor) whose services
have been used in order to perform the contract, whether such claims are founded in contract or in tort, and
the aggregate liability of the Freight Forwarder and of such servants, agents or other persons shall not exceed
the limits in clause 9.
11.2. In entering into this contract as evidenced by this FWB, the Freight Forwarder, to the extent of these provisions,
does not only act on his own behalf, but also as agent or trustee for such persons, and such persons
shall to this extent be or be deemed to be parties to this contract.
11.3. However, if it is proved that the loss of or such loss or damage to the Goods resulted from a personal act or
omission of such a person referred to in clause 11.1., done with intent to cause damage, or recklessly and
with knowledge that damage would probably result, such person shall not be entitled to benefit of limitation
of liability provided for in clause 9.
11.4. The aggregate of the amounts recoverable from the Freight Forwarder and the persons referred to in clauses
2.2. and 11.1. shall not exceed the limits provided for in these conditions.
12. Method and Route of Transportation
Without notice to the Merchant, the Freight Forwarder has the liberty to carry the Goods on or under deck and
to choose or substitute the means, route and procedure to be followed in the handling, stowage, storage and
transportation of the Goods.
13. Delivery
13.1. Goods shall be deemed to be delivered when they have been handed over or placed at the disposal of the
Consignee or his agent in accordance with this FWB or with the law or usage of the particular trade applicable
at the place of delivery, or when the Goods have been handed over to any authority or other party to whom,
pursuant to the law or regulation applicable at the place of delivery, the Goods must be handed over, or such
other place at which the Freight Forwarder is entitled to call upon the Merchant to take delivery.
13.2. In case it proves impossible to perform or procure the performance of all acts necessary to ensure delivery of
the Goods the Freight Forwarder shall also be entitled to store the Goods at the sole risk of the Merchant, and
the Freight Forwarder’s liability shall cease, and the cost of such storage shall be paid, upon demand, by the
Merchant to the Freight Forwarder.
13.3. The Freight Forwarder shall not be liable for incorrect delivery, unless he has failed to exercise reasonable care
to ascertain that the party claiming to be the Consignee is in fact that party.
13.4. If at any time the carriage under this FWB is or is likely to be affected by any hindrance or risk of any kind (including
the condition of the Goods) not arising from any fault or neglect of the Freight Forwarder or a person
referred to in clause 2.2. and which cannot be avoided by the exercise of reasonable endeavour the Freight
Forwarder may:
abandon the carriage of the Goods under this FWB and, where reasonably possible, place the Goods or any
part of them at the Merchant’s disposal at any place which the Freight Forwarder may deem safe and convenient,
whereupon delivery shall be deemed to have been made, and the responsibility of the Freight Forwarder
in respect of such Goods shall cease.
In any event, the Freight Forwarder shall be entitled to full freight under this FWB and the Merchant shall pay
any additional costs resulting from the above mentioned circumstances.
14. Freight and Charges
14.1. The terms and conditions of the Freight Forwarder’s applicable tariff, if any, are incorporated herein. Copies
of the relevant terms and conditions thereof are available from the Freight Forwarder upon request. In the case
of inconsistency between this FWB and the applicable tariff the FWB shall prevail.
All dues, taxes and charges or other expenses in connection with the Goods shall be paid by the Merchant.
Where equipment is supplied by the Freight Forwarder, the Merchant shall pay all demurrage and charges
which are not due to a fault or neglect of the Freight Forwarder.
14.2. Freight shall be paid in cash, without any reduction or deferment on account of any claim, counterclaim or setoff,
whether prepaid or payable at destination. Freight shall be considered as earned by the Freight Forwarder
at the moment when the Goods have been taken in his charge, and not to be returned in any event.
14.3. Freight and all other amounts mentioned in this FWB are to be paid in the currency named in this FWB or, at
the Freight Forwarder’s option, in the currency of the country of dispatch or destination at the highest rate of
exchange for bankers sight bills current for prepaid freight on the day of dispatch and for freight payable at
destination on the day when the Merchant is notified on arrival of the Goods there or on the date of withdrawal
of the delivery order, whichever rate is the higher, or at the option of the Freight Forwarder on the date of this
FWB.
14.4. The Merchant shall reimburse the Freight Forwarder in proportion to the amount of freight for any costs for
deviation or delay or any other increase of costs of whatever nature caused by war, warlike operations, epidemics,
strikes, government directions or force majeure.
14.5. The Merchant warrants the correctness of the declaration of contents, insurance, weight, measurements or
value of the Goods but the Freight Forwarder has the liberty to have the contents inspected and the weight,
measurements or value verified. If on such inspection it is found that the declaration is not correct it is agreed
that a sum equal either to five times the difference between the correct figure and the freight charged, or to
double the correct freight less the freight charged, whichever sum is the smaller, shall be payable as liquidated
damages to the Freight Forwarder for his inspection costs and losses of freight on other Goods notwithstanding
any other sum having been stated on this FWB as freight payable.
14.6. Despite the acceptance by the Freight Forwarder of instructions to collect freight, charges or other expenses
from any other person in respect of the transport under this FWB, the Merchant shall remain responsible for
such monies on receipt of evidence of demand and the absence of payment for whatever reason.
15. Lien
The Freight Forwarder shall have a lien on the Goods and any documents relating thereto for any amount due
at any time to the Freight Forwarder from the Merchant including storage fees and the cost of recovering
same, and may enforce such lien in any reasonable manner which he may think fit.
16. General Average
The Merchant shall indemnify the Freight Forwarder in respect of any claims of a General Average nature
which may be made on him and shall provide such security as may be required by the Freight Forwarder in
this connection.
17. Notice
17.1. Unless notice of loss of or damage to the Goods, specifying the general nature of such loss or damage, is
given in writing by the Consignee to the Freight Forwarder when the Goods are delivered to the Consignee in
accordance with clause 13., such handing over is prima facie evidence of the delivery by the Freight Forwarder
of the Goods as described in this FWB.
17.2. Where the loss or damage is not apparent, the same prima facie effect shall apply if notice in writing is not
given within 6 consecutive days after the day when the Goods were delivered to the Consignee in accordance
with clause 13.
18. Time bar
The Freight Forwarder shall, unless otherwise expressly agreed, be discharged of all liability under these conditions,
unless suit is brought within 9 months after the delivery of the Goods, or the date when the Goods
should have been delivered, or the date when in accordance with clause 7.4. failure to deliver the Goods
would give the Consignee the right to treat the Goods as lost.
19. Partial Invalidity
If any clause or a part thereof is held to be invalid, the validity of this FWB and the remaining clauses or a part
thereof shall not be affected.
20. Jurisdiction, arbitration and applicable law
Unless otherwise agreed in writing, actions against the Freight Forwarder may be instituted only in the place
where the Freight Forwarder has his place of business as stated on the reverse of this FWB and shall be
decided according to the law of the country in which that place of business is situated.
The ICC logo denotes that this document has been deemed by the ICC to be in conformity with
the UNCTAD/ICC Rules for Multimodal Transport Documents. The ICC logo does not
imply ICC endorsement of the document nor does it in any way make the ICC party
to any possible legal action resulting from the use of this document.