Useful information

ARTICLE 1
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1. This Convention shall apply to every contract for the carriage of goods by road in vehicles
for reward, when the place of taking over of the goods and the place designated for delivery,
as specified in the contract, are situated in two different countries, of which at least one is a
contracting country, irrespective of the place of residence and the nationality of the parties.
2. For the purpose of this Convention, “vehicles” means motor vehicles, articulated vehicles,
trailers and semi-trailers as defined in article 4 of the Convention on Road Traffic dated 19
September 1949.
3. This Convention shall apply also where carriage coming within its scope is carried out by
States or by governmental institutions or organizations.
4. This Convention shall not apply:
(a) To carriage performed under the terms of any international postal convention;
(b) To funeral consignments;
(c) To furniture removal.
5. The Contracting Parties agree not to vary any of the provisions of this Convention by special
agreements between two or more of them, except to make it inapplicable to their frontier
traffic or to authorize the use in transport operations entirely confined to their territory of
consignment notes representing a title to the goods.

ARTICLE 2
———
1. Where the vehicle containing the goods is carried over part of the journey by sea, rail, inland
waterways or air, and, except where the provisions of article 14 are applicable, the goods are
not unloaded from the vehicle, this Convention shall nevertheless apply to the whole of the
carriage. Provided that to the extent it is proved that any loss, damage or delay in delivery of
the goods which occurs during the carriage by the other means of transport was not caused
by act or omission of the carrier by road, but by some event which could only occurred in the
course of and by reason of the carriage by that other means of transport, the liability of the
carrier by road shall be determined not by this convention but in the manner in which the
liability of the carrier by the other means of transport would have been determined if a
contract for the carriage the goods alone had been made by the sender with the carrier by the
other means of transport in accordance with the conditions prescribed by law for the carriage
of goods by that means of transport. If, however, there are no such prescribed conditions, the
liability of the carrier by road shall be determined by this convention.
2. If the carrier by road is also himself the carrier by the other means of transport, his liability
shall also be determined in accordance with the provisions paragraph 1 of this article, but as
if, in his capacities as carrier by road and carrier by the other means of transport, he were two
separate persons.

ARTICLE 3
———
For the purposes of this Convention the carrier shall be responsible for the acts of omissions
of his agents and servants and of any other persons of whose services he makes use for the
performance of the carriage, when such agents, servants or other persons are acting within
the scope of their employment, as if such acts or omissions were his own.

ARTICLE 4
———
The contract of carriage shall be confirmed by the making out of a consignment note. The
absence, irregularity or loss of the consignment note shall not affect the existence or the
validity of the contract of carriage which shall remain subject the provisions of this
Convention.

ARTICLE 5
———
1. The consignment note shall be made out in three original copies signed by the sender and
by the carrier. These signatures may be printed or replaced by the stamps of the sender and
the carrier if the law of the country in which the consignment note has been made out so
permits. The first copy shall be handed to the sender, the second shall accompany the goods
and the third shall be retained by the carrier.

2. When the goods which are to be carried have to be loaded in different vehicles, or are of
different kinds or are divided into different lots, the sender or the carrier shall have the right
to require a separate consignment note to be made out for each vehicle used, or for each kind
or lot of goods.

ARTICLE 6
———
1. The consignment note shall contain the following particulars:
(a) The date of the consignment note and the place at which it is made out;
(b) The name and address of the sender;
(c) The name and address of the carrier;
(d) The place and the date of taking over of the goods and the place designated for delivery;
(e) The name and address of the consignee;
(f) The description in common use of the nature of the goods and the method of packing, and,
in the case of dangerous goods, their generally recognized description;
(g) The number of packages and their special marks and numbers;
(h) The gross weight of the goods or their quantity otherwise expressed;
(i) Charges relating to the carriage (carriage charges, supplementary charges, customs duties
and other charges incurred from the making of the contract to the time of delivery);
(j) The requisite instructions for Customs and other formalities;
(k) A statement that the carriage is subject, notwithstanding any clause to the contrary, to the
provisions of this Convention.
2. Where applicable, the consignment note shall also contain the following particulars:
(a) A statement that trans-shipment is not allowed;
(b) Then charges which the sender undertakes to pay;
(c) The amount of “cash on delivery” charges;
(d) A declaration of the value of the goods and the amount representing special interest in
delivery;
(e) The sender’s instructions to the carrier regarding insurance of the goods;
(f) The agreed time limit within which the carriage is to be carried out;
(g) A list of the documents handed to the carrier.

3. The parties may enter in the consignment note any other particulars which they may deem
useful.

ARTICLE 7
———
1. The sender shall be responsible for all expenses, loss and damage sustained by the carrier
by reason of the inaccuracy or inadequacy of:
(a) The particulars specified in article 6, paragraph 1, (b), (d), (e), (f), (g), (h) and (j);
(b) The particular specified in article 6, paragraph 2;
(c) Any other particulars or instructions given by him to enable the
consignment note to be made out or for the purpose of their being entered therein.
2. If, at the request of the sender, the carrier enters in the consignment note the particulars
referred to in paragraph 1 of this article, he shall be deemed, unless the contrary is proved, to
have done so on behalf of the sender.
3. If the consignment note does not contain the statement specified in article
6, paragraph 1 (k), the carrier shall be liable for all expenses, loss and damage sustained
through such omission by the person entitled to dispose of the goods.

ARTICLE 8
———
1. On taking over the goods, the carrier shall check:
(a) The accuracy of the statements in the consignment note as to the number of packages and
their marks and numbers, and
(b) The apparent condition of the goods and their packaging.
2. Where the carrier has no reasonable means of checking the accuracy of e statements
referred to in paragraph 1 (a) of this article, he shall enter his reservations in the consignment
note together with the grounds on which they are based. He shall likewise specify the grounds
for any reservations which he makes with regard to the apparent condition of the goods and
their packaging, such reservations shall not bind the sender unless he has expressly agreed to
be bound by them in the consignment note.
3. The sender shall be entitled to require the carrier to check the gross weight the goods or
their quantity otherwise expressed. He may also require the contents of the packages to be
checked. The carrier shall be entitled to claim the cost of such checking. The result of the
checks shall be entered in the consignment note.

ARTICLE 9
———
1. The consignment note shall be prima facie evidence of the making of the contract of
carriage, the conditions of the contract and the receipt of the goods by the carrier.

2. If the consignment note contains no specific reservations by the carrier, it shall be
presumed, unless the contrary is proved, that the goods and their packaging appeared to be
in good condition when the carrier took them over and that the number of packages, their
marks and numbers corresponded with the statements in the consignment note.

ARTICLE 10
———-
The sender shall be liable to the carrier for damage to persons, equipment or other goods,
and for any expenses due to defective packing of the goods, unless the defect was apparent
or known to the carrier at the time when he took over the goods and he made no reservations
concerning it.

ARTICLE 11
———-
1. For the purposes of the Customs or other formalities which have to be completed before
delivery of the goods, the sender shall attach the necessary documents to the consignment
note or place them at the disposal of the carrier and shall furnish him with all the information
which he requires.
2. The carrier shall not be under any duty to enquire into either the accuracy or the adequacy
of such documents and information. The sender shall be liable to the carrier for any damage
caused by the absence, inadequacy or irregularity of such documents and information, except
in the case of some wrongful act or neglect on the part of the carrier.
3. The liability of the carrier for the consequences arising from the loss or incorrect use of the
documents specified in and accompanying the consignment note or deposited with the carrier
shall be that of an agent, provided that the compensation payable by the carrier shall not
exceed that payable in the event of loss of the goods.

ARTICLE 12
———-
1. The sender has the right to dispose of the goods, in particular by asking the carrier to stop
the goods in transit, to change the place at which delivery is to take place or to deliver the
goods to a consignee other than the consignee indicated in the consignment note.
2. This right shall cease to exist when the second copy of the consignment note is handed to
the consignee or when the consignee exercises his right under article 13, paragraph 1; from
that time onwards the carrier shall obey the orders of the consignee.
3. The consignee shall, however, have the right of disposal from the time when the
consignment note is drawn up, if the sender makes an entry to that effect in the consignment
note.
4. If in exercising his right of disposal the consignee has ordered the delivery of the goods to
another person, that other person shall not be entitled to name other consignees.
5. The exercise of the right of disposal shall be subject to the following conditions:

(a) That the sender or, in the case referred to in paragraph 3 of this article, the consignee who
wishes to exercise the right produces the first copy of the consignment note on which the new
instructions to the carrier have been entered and indemnifies the carrier against all expenses,
loss and damage involved in carrying out such instructions;
(b) That the carrying out of such instructions is possible at the time when the instructions
reach the person who is to carry them out and does not either interfere with the normal
working of the carriers’ undertaking or prejudice the senders or consignees of other
consignments;
(c) That the instructions do not result in a division of the consignment.
6. When, by reason of the provisions of paragraph 5 (b) of this article, the carrier cannot carry
out the instructions which he receives, he shall immediately notify the person who gave him
such instructions.
7. A carrier who has not carried out the instructions given under the conditions provided for
in this article or who has carried them out without requiring the first copy of the consignment
note to be produced, shall be liable to the person entitled to make a claim for any loss or
damage caused thereby.

ARTICLE 13
———-
1. After arrival of the goods at the place designated for delivery, the consignee shall be entitled
to require the carrier to deliver to him, against a receipt, the second copy of the consignment
note and the goods. If the loss of the goods established or if the goods have not arrived after
the expiry of the period provided for in article 19, the consignee shall be entitled to enforce
in his own name against the carrier any rights arising from the contract of carriage.
2. The consignee who avails himself of the rights granted to him under paragraph 1 of this
article shall pay the charges shown to be due on the consignment note, but in the event of
dispute on this matter the carrier shall not be required to deliver the goods unless security
has been furnished by the consignee.

ARTICLE 14
———-
1. If for any reason it is or becomes impossible to carry out the contract in accordance with
the terms laid down in the consignment note before the goods reach the place designated for
delivery, the carrier shall ask for instructions from the person entitled to dispose of the goods
in accordance with the provisions of article 12.
2. Nevertheless, if circumstances are such as to allow the carriage to be carried out under
conditions differing from those laid down in the consignment note and if the carrier has been
unable to obtain instructions in reasonable time the person entitled to dispose of the goods
in accordance with the provisions of article 12, he shall take such steps as seem to him to be
in the best interests the person entitled to dispose of the goods.

ARTICLE 15
———-
1. Where circumstances prevent delivery of the goods after their arrival at the place
designated for delivery, the carrier shall ask the sender for his instructions. If the consignee
refuses the goods the sender shall be entitled to dispose of them without being obliged to
produce the first copy of the consignment note.
2. Even if he has refused the goods, the consignee may nevertheless require delivery so long
as the carrier has not received instructions to the contrary from the sender.
3. When circumstances preventing delivery of the goods arise after the consignee, in exercise
of his rights under article 12, paragraph 3, has given an order for the goods to be delivered to
another person, paragraphs 1 and 2 of this article shall apply as if the consignee were the
sender and that other person were the consignee.

ARTICLE 16
———-
1. The carrier shall be entitled to recover the cost of his request for instructions and any
expenses entailed in carrying out such instructions, unless such expenses were caused by the
wrongful act or neglect of the carrier.
2. In the cases referred to in article 14, paragraph 1, and in article 15, the carrier may
immediately unload the goods for account of the person entitled to dispose of them and
thereupon the carriage shall be deemed to be at an end. The carrier shall then hold the goods
on behalf of the person so entitled. He may, however, entrust them to a third party, and in
that case he shall not be under any liability except for the exercise of reasonable care in the
choice of such third party. The charges due under the consignment note and all other
expenses shall remain chargeable against the goods.
3. The carrier may sell the goods, without awaiting instructions from the person entitled to
dispose of them, if the goods are perishable or their condition warrants such a course, or when
the storage expenses would be out of proportion to the value of the goods. He may also
proceed to the sale of the goods in other cases if after the expiry of a reasonable period he
has not received from the person entitled to dispose of the goods instructions to the contrary
which he may reasonably be required to carry out.
4. If the goods have been sold pursuant to this article, the proceeds of sale, after deduction of
the expenses chargeable against the goods, shall be placed at the disposal of the person
entitled to dispose of the goods. If these charges exceed the proceeds of sale, the carrier shall
be entitled to the difference.
5. The procedure in the case of sale shall be determined by the law or custom of the place

where the goods are situated.

ARTICLE 17

———-

1. The carrier shall be liable for the total or partial loss of the goods and for damage thereto
occurring between the time when he takes over the goods and the time of delivery, as well as
for any delay in delivery.
2. The carrier shall, however, be relieved of liability if the loss, damage or delay was caused by
the wrongful act or neglect of the claimant, by the instructions of the claimant given otherwise
than as the result of a wrongful act or neglect on the part of the carrier, by inherent vice of
the goods or through circumstances which the carrier could not avoid and the consequences
of which he was unable to prevent.
3. The carrier shall not be relieved of liability by reason of the defective condition of the vehicle
used by him in order to perform the carriage, or by reason of the wrongful act or neglect of
the person from whom he may have hired the vehicle or of the agents or servants of the latter.
4. Subject to article 18, paragraphs 2 to 5, the carrier shall be relieved of liability when the loss
or damage arises from the special risks inherent in one more of the following circumstances:
(a) Use of open unsheeted vehicles, when their use has been expressly agreed and specified
in the consignment note;
(b) The lack of, or defective condition of packing in the case of goods which, by their nature,
are liable to wastage or to be damaged when not packed or when not properly packed;
(c) Handling, loading, stowage or unloading of the goods by the sender, the consignee or
person acting on behalf of the sender or the consignee;
(d) The nature of certain kinds of goods which particularly exposes them to total or partial loss
or to damage, especially through breakage, rust, decay, desiccation, leakage, normal wastage,
or the action of moth or vermin;
(f) Insufficiency or inadequacy of marks or numbers on the packages;
(g) The carriage of livestock.
5. Where under this article the carrier is not under any liability in Respect some of the factors
causing the loss, damage or delay, he shall only be liable the extent that those factors for
which he is liable under this article have contributed to the loss, damage or delay.

ARTICLE 18
———-
1. The burden of proving that loss, damage or delay was due to one of the specified in article
17, paragraph 2, shall rest upon the carrier.
2. When the carrier establishes that in the circumstances of the case, the loss damage could
be attributed to one or more of the special risks referred to in article 17, paragraph 4, it shall
be presumed that it was so caused. The claimant shall, however, be entitled to prove that the
loss or damage was not, in fact, attributable either wholly or partly to one of these risks.
3. This presumption shall not apply in the circumstances set out in article 17, paragraph 4 (a),
if there has been an abnormal shortage, or a loss of any package.

4. If the carriage is performed in vehicles specially equipped to protect the goods from the
effects of heat, cold, variations in temperature or the humidity of the air, the carrier shall not
be entitled to claim the benefit of article 17, paragraph 4 (d), unless he proves that all steps
incumbent on him in the circumstances with respect to the choice, maintenance and use of
such equipment were taken and that he complied with any special instructions issued to him.
5. The carrier shall not be entitled to claim the benefit of article 17, paragraph 4 (f), unless he
proves that all steps normally incumbent on him in the circumstances were taken and that he
complied with any special instructions issued to him.

ARTICLE 19
———-
Delay in delivery shall be said to occur when the goods have not been delivered within the
agreed time-limit or when, failing an agreed time-limit, the actual duration of the carriage
having regard to the circumstances of the case, and in particular, in the case of partial loads,
the time required for making up a complete load in the normal way, exceeds the time it would
be reasonable to allow a diligent carrier.

ARTICLE 20
———-
1. The fact that goods have not been delivered within thirty days following the expiry of the
agreed time-limit, or, if there is no agreed time-limit, within sixty days from the time when
the carrier took over the goods, shall be conclusive evidence of the loss of the goods, and the
person entitled to make a claim may thereupon treat them as lost.
2. The person so entitled may, on receipt of compensation for the missing goods, request in
writing that he shall be notified immediately should the goods be recovered in the course of
the year following the payment of compensation. He shall be given a written
acknowledgement of such request.
3. Within the thirty days following receipt of such notification, the person entitled as aforesaid
may require the goods to be delivered to him against payment of the charges shown to be
due on the consignment note and also against refund of the compensation he received less
any charges included therein but without prejudice to any claims to compensation for delay
in delivery under article 23 and where applicable, article 26.
4. In the absence of the request mentioned in paragraph 2 or of any instructions given within
the period of thirty days specified in paragraph 3, or if the goods are not recovered until more
than one year after the payment of compensation , the carrier shall be entitled to deal with
them in accordance with the law place where the goods are situated.

ARTICLE 21
———-
Should the goods have been delivered to the consignee without collection of the “cash on
delivery” charge which should have been collected by the carrier under terms of the contract
of carriage, the carrier shall be liable to the sender for compensation not exceeding the
amount of such charge without prejudice to his right of action against the consignee.

ARTICLE 22
———-
1. When the sender hands goods of a dangerous nature to the carrier, he shall inform the
carrier of the exact nature of the danger and indicate if necessary, precautions to be taken. If
this information has not been entered in the consignment note, the burden of proving, by
some other means, that the carrier knew the exact nature of the danger constituted by the
carriage of the said goods shall rest upon the sender or the consignee.
2. Goods of a dangerous nature which, in the circumstance referred to in paragraph 1 of this
article, the carrier did not know were dangerous, may, at any time or place, be unloaded,
destroyed or rendered harmless by the carrier without compensation; further, the sender
shall be liable for all expenses, loss or damage arising out of their handing over for carriage or
of their carriage.

ARTICLE 23
———-
1. When, under the provisions of this Convention, a carrier is liable for compensation in
respect of total or partial loss of goods, such compensation shall be calculated by reference
to the value of the goods at the place and time at which they were accepted for carriage.
2. The value of the goods shall be fixed according to the commodity exchange price or, if there
is no such price, according to the current market price or, if there is no commodity exchange
price or current market price, by reference to normal value of goods of the same kind and
quality.
3. Compensation shall not, however, exceed 8.33 units of account per kilogram of gross weight
short.
4. In addition, the carriage charges, Customs duties and other charges incurred in respect of
the carriage of the goods shall be refunded in full in case of total loss and in proportion to the
loss sustained in case of partial loss, but no further damage shall be payable.
5. In the case of delay if the claimant proves that damage has resulted therefrom the carrier
shall pay compensation for such damage not exceeding the carriage charges.
6. Higher compensation may only be claimed where the value of the goods or a special interest
in delivery has been declared in accordance with articles 24 and 26.
7. The unit of account mentioned in this Convention is the Special Drawing Right as defined
by the International Monetary Fund. The amount mentioned in paragraph 3 of this article shall
be converted into the national currency of the State of the Court seized of the case on the
basis of the value of that currency on the date of the judgment or the date agreed upon by
the Parties. The value of the national currency, in terms of the Special Drawing Right, of a
State which is a member of the International Monetary Fund, shall be calculated in accordance
with the method of valuation applied by the International Monetary Fund in effect on the date
in question for its operations and transactions. The value of the national currency, in terms of
the Special Drawing Right, of a State which is not a member of the International Monetary
Fund, shall be calculated in a manner determined by the State.

8. Nevertheless, a State which is not a member of the International Monetary Fund and whose
law does not permit the application of the provisions of paragraph 7 of this article may, at the
time of ratification of or accession to the Protocol to the CMR or at any time thereafter,
declare that the limit of liability provided for in paragraph 3 of this article to be applied in its
territory shall be 25 monetary units. The monetary unit referred to in this paragraph
corresponds to the 10/31 gram of gold of millesimal fineness nine hundred. The conversion
shall be made according to the law of the State concerned.
9. The calculation mentioned in the last sentence of paragraph 7 of this article and the
conversion mentioned in paragraph 8 of this article shall be made in such a manner as to
express in the national currency of the State as far as possible the same real value for the
amount in paragraph 3 of this article as is expressed there in units of account. States shall
communicate to the Secretary-General of the United Nations the manner of calculation
pursuant to paragraph 7 of this article or the result of the conversion in paragraph 8 of this
article as the case may be, when depositing an instrument referred to in Article 3 of the
Protocol to the CMR and whenever there is a change in either.

ARTICLE 24
———-
The sender may, against payment of a surcharge to be agreed upon, declare in the
consignment note a value for the goods exceeding the limit laid down in article 23, paragraph
3, and in that case the amount of the declared value shall be substituted for that limit.

ARTICLE 25
———-
1. In case of damage, the carrier shall be liable for the amount by which the goods have
diminished in value, calculated by reference to the value of the goods fixed in accordance with
article 23, paragraphs 1, 2 and 4.
2. The compensation may not, however, exceed:
(a) If the whole consignment has been damaged, the amount payable in the case of total loss;
(b) If part only of the consignment has been damaged, the amount payable in the case of loss
of the part affected.

ARTICLE 26
———-
1. The sender may, against payment of a surcharge to be agreed upon, fix the amount of a
special interest in delivery in the case of loss or damage or of the agreed time-limit being
exceeded, by entering such amount in the consignment note.
2. If a declaration of a special interest in delivery has been made, compensation for the
additional loss or damage proved may be claimed, up to the total amount of the interest
declared, independently of the compensation provided for in articles 23, 24 and 25.

ARTICLE 27
———-

1. The claimant shall be entitled to claim interest on compensation payable. Such interest,
calculated at five per centum per annum, shall accrue from the date on which the claim was
sent in writing to the carrier or, if no such claim has been made, from the date on which legal
proceedings were instituted.
2. When the amounts on which the calculation of the compensation is based are not expressed
in the currency of the country in which payment is claimed, conversion shall be at the rate of
exchange applicable on the day and at the place of payment of compensation.

ARTICLE 28
———-
1. In cases where, under the law applicable, loss, damage or delay arising out of carriage under
this Convention gives rise to an extra-contractual claim, the carrier may avail himself of the
provisions of this Convention which exclude his liability of which fix or limit the compensation
due.
2. In cases where the extra-contractual liability for loss, damage or delay of one of the persons
for whom the carrier is responsible under the terms of article 3 is in issue, such person may
also avail himself of the provisions of this Convention which exclude the liability of the carrier
or which fix or limit the compensation due.

ARTICLE 29
———-
1. The carrier shall not be entitled to avail himself of the provisions of this chapter which
exclude or limit his liability or which shift the burden of proof if the damage was caused by his
wilful misconduct or by such default on his part as, in accordance with the law of the court or
tribunal seised of the case, is considered as equivalent to wilful misconduct.
2. The same provision shall apply if the wilful misconduct or default is committed by the agents
or servants of the carrier or by any other persons of whose services he makes use for the
performance of the carriage, when such agents, servants or other persons are acting within
the scope of their employment. Furthermore, in such a case such agents, servants or other
persons shall not be entitled to avail themselves, with regard to their personal liability, of the
provisions of this chapter referred to in paragraph 1.

ARTICLE 30
———-
1. If the consignee takes delivery of the goods without duly checking their condition with the
carrier or without sending him reservations giving a general indication of the loss or damage,
not later than the time of delivery in the case of apparent loss or damage and within seven
days of delivery, Sundays and public holidays excepted, in the case of loss or damage which is
not apparent, the fact of this taking delivery shall be prima facie, evidence that he has received
the goods in the condition described in the consignment note. In the case of loss or damage
which is not apparent the reservations referred to shall be made in writing.

2. When the condition of the goods has been duly checked by the consignee and the carrier,
evidence contradicting the result of this checking shall only be admissible in the case of loss
or damage which is not apparent and provided that the consignee has duly sent reservations
in writing to the carrier within seven days, Sundays and public holidays excepted, from the
date of checking.
3. No compensation shall be payable for delay in delivery unless a reservation has been sent
in writing to the carrier, within twenty-one days from the time that the goods were placed at
the disposal of the consignee.
4. In calculating the time-limits provided for in this article the date of delivery, or the date of
checking, or the date when the goods were placed at the disposal of the consignee, as the
case may be, shall not be included.
5. The carrier and the consignee shall give each other every reasonable facility for making the
requisite investigations and checks.

ARTICLE 31
———-
1. In legal proceedings arising out of carriage under this Convention, the plaintiff may bring an
action in any court or tribunal of a contracting country designated by agreement between the
parties and, in addition, in the courts or tribunals of a country within whose territory:
(a) The defendant is ordinarily resident, or has his principal place of business, or the branch or
agency through which the contract of carriage was made, or (b) The place where the goods
were taken over by the carrier or the place designated for delivery is situated. 2. Where in
respect of a claim referred to in paragraph 1 of this article an action is pending before a court
or tribunal competent under that paragraph, or where in respect of such a claim a judgement
has been entered by such a court or tribunal no new action shall be started between the same
parties on the same grounds unless the judgement of the court or tribunal before which the
first action was brought is not enforceable in the country in which the fresh proceedings are
brought.
3. When a judgement entered by a court or tribunal of a contracting country in any such action
as is referred to in paragraph 1 of this article has become enforceable in that country, it shall
also become enforceable in each of the other contracting States, as soon as the formalities
required in the country concerned have been complied with. These formalities shall not
permit the merits of the case to be re-opened.
4. The provisions of paragraph 3 of this article shall apply to judgements after trial, judgements
by default and settlements confirmed by an order of the court, but shall not apply to interim
judgements or to awards of damages, in addition to costs against a plaintiff who wholly or
partly fails in his action.
5. Security for costs shall not be required in proceedings arising out of carriage under this
Convention from nationals of contracting countries resident or having their place of business
in one of those countries.

ARTICLE 32
———-
1. The period of limitation for an action arising out of carriage under this Convention shall be
one year. Nevertheless, in the case of wilful misconduct, or such default as in accordance with
the law of the court or tribunal seised of the case, is considered as equivalent to wilful
misconduct, the period of limitation shall be three years. The period of limitation shall begin
to run:
(a) In the case of partial loss, damage or delay in delivery, from the date of delivery;
(b) In the case of total loss, from the thirtieth day after the expiry of the agreed time-limit or
where there is no agreed time-limit from the sixtieth day from the date on which the goods
were taken over by the carrier;
(c) In all other cases, on the expiry of a period of three months after the making of the contract
of carriage.
The day on which the period of limitation begins to run shall not be included in the period.
2. A written claim shall suspend the period of limitation until such date as the carrier rejects
the claim by notification in writing and returns the documents attached thereto. If a part of
the claim is admitted the period of limitation shall start to run again only in respect of that
part of the claim still in dispute. The burden of proof of the receipt of the claim, or of the reply
and of the return of the documents, shall rest with the party relying upon these facts. The
running of the period of limitation shall not be suspended by further claims having the same
object.
3. Subject to the provisions of paragraph 2 above, the extension of the period of limitation
shall be governed by the law of the court or tribunal seized of the case. That law shall also
govern the fresh accrual of rights of action.
4. A right of action which has become barred by lapse of time may not be exercised by way of
counterclaim or set-off.

ARTICLE 33
———-
The contract of carriage may contain a clause conferring competence on an arbitration
tribunal if the clause conferring competence on the tribunal provides that the tribunal shall
apply this Convention.

ARTICLE 34
———-
If carriage governed by a single contract is performed by successive road carriers, each of them
shall be responsible for the performance of the whole operation, the second carrier and each succeeding carrier becoming a party to the contract of carriage, under the terms of the

consignment note, by reason of his acceptance of the goods and the consignment note.

ARTICLE 35
———-
1. A carrier accepting the goods from a previous carrier shall give the latter a dated and signed
receipt. He shall enter his name and address on the second copy of the consignment note.
Where applicable, he shall enter on the second copy of the consignment note and on the
receipt reservations of the kind provided for in article 8, paragraph 2.
2. The provisions of article 9 shall apply to the relations between successive carriers.

ARTICLE 36
———-
Except in the case of a counterclaim or a setoff raised in an action concerning a claim based
on the same contract of carriage, legal proceedings in respect of liability for loss, damage or
delay may only be brought against the first carrier, the last carrier or the carrier who was
performing that portion of the carriage during which the event causing the loss, damage or
delay occurred, an action may be brought at the same time against several of these carriers.

ARTICLE 37
———-
A carrier who has paid compensation in compliance with the provisions of this Convention,
shall be entitled to recover such compensation, together with interest thereon and all costs
and expenses incurred by reason of the claim, from the other carriers who have taken part in
the carriage, subject to the following provisions:
(a) The carrier responsible for the loss or damage shall be solely liable for the compensation
whether paid by himself or by another carrier; (b) When the loss or damage has been caused
by the action of two or more carriers, each of them shall pay an amount proportionate to his
share of liability; should it be impossible to apportion the liability, each carrier shall be liable
in proportion to the share of the payment for the carriage which is due to him;
(c) If it cannot be ascertained to which carriers liability is attributable for the loss or damage,
the amount of the compensation shall be apportioned between all the carriers as laid down
in (b) above.

ARTICLE 38
———-
If one of the carriers is insolvent, the share of the compensation due from him and unpaid by
him shall be divided among the other carriers in proportion to the share of the payment for
the carriage due to them.

ARTICLE 39
———-

1. No carrier against whom a claim is made under articles 37 and 38 shall be entitled to dispute

the validity of the payment made by the carrier making the claim if the amount of the
compensation was determined by judicial authority after the first mentioned carrier had been
given due notice of the proceedings and afforded an opportunity of entering an appearance.
2. A carrier wishing to take proceedings to enforce his right of recovery may make his claim
before the competent court or tribunal of the country in which one of the carriers concerned
is ordinarily resident, or has his principal place of business or the branch or agency through
which the contract of carriage was made. All the carriers concerned may be made defendants
in the same action.
3. The provisions of article 31, paragraphs 3 and 4, shall apply to judgements entered in the
proceedings referred to in articles 37 and 38.
4. The provisions of article 32 shall apply to claims between carriers. The period of limitation
shall, however, begin to run either on the date of the final judicial decision fixing the amount
of compensation payable under the provisions of this Convention, or, if there is no such
judicial decision, from the actual date of payment.

ARTICLE 40
———-
Carriers shall be free to agree among themselves on provisions other than those laid down in
articles 37 and 38.

ARTICLE 41

1. Subject to the provisions of article 40, any stipulation which would directly or indirectly
derogate from the provisions of this Convention shall be null and void. The nullity of such a
stipulation shall not involve the nullity of the other provisions of the contract.
2. In particular, a benefit of insurance in favour of the carrier or any other similar clause, or
any clause shifting the burden of proof shall be null and void.

ARTICLE 42
———-
1. This Convention is open for signature or accession by countries members of the Economic
Commission for Europe and countries admitted to the Commission in a consultative capacity
under paragraph 8 of the Commission’s terms of reference.
2. Such countries as may participate in certain activities of the Economic Commission for
Europe in accordance with paragraph 11 of the Commission’s terms of reference may become
Contracting Parties to this Convention by acceding thereto after its entry into force.

3. The Convention shall be open for signature until 31 August 1956 inclusive. Thereafter, it shall be open for accession.

4. This Convention shall be ratified.
5. Ratification or accession shall be effected by the deposit of an instrument with the
Secretary-General of the United Nations.

ARTICLE 43
———-
1. This Convention shall come into force on the ninetieth day after five of the countries
referred to in article 42, paragraph 1, have deposited their instruments of ratification or
accession.
2. For any country ratifying or acceding to it after five countries have deposited their
instruments of ratification of accession, this Convention shall enter into force on the ninetieth
day after the said country has deposited its instrument of ratification or accession.

ARTICLE 44
———-
1. Any Contracting Party may denounce this Convention by so notifying the Secretary-General
of the United Nations.
2. Denunciation shall take effect twelve months after the date of receipt by the Secretary-
General of the notification of denunciation.

ARTICLE 45
———-
If, after the entry into force of this Convention, the number of Contracting Parties is reduced,
as a result of denunciations, to less than five, the Convention shall cease to be in force from
the date in which the last of such denunciations takes effect.

ARTICLE 46
———-
1. Any country may, at the time of depositing its instrument of ratification or accession or at
any time thereafter, declare by notification addressed to the Secretary-General of the United
Nations that this Convention shall extend to all or any of the territories for the international
relations of which it is responsible. The Convention shall extend to the territory or territories
named in the notification as from the ninetieth day after its receipt by the Secretary-General
or, if on that day the Convention has not yet entered into force, at the time of its entry into
force.
2. Any country which has made a declaration under the preceding paragraph extending this
Convention to any territory for whose international relations it is responsible may denounce
the Convention separately in respect of that territory in accordance with the provisions of
article 44.

ARTICLE 47
———-
Any dispute between two or more Contracting Parties relating to the interpretation or
application of this Convention, which the parties are unable to settle by negotiation or other
means may, at the request of any one of the Contracting Parties concerned, be referred for
settlement to the International Court of Justice

ARTICLE 48
———-
1. Each Contracting Party may, at the time of signing, ratifying, or acceding to, this Convention,
declare that it does not consider itself as bound by article 47 of the Convention. Other
Contracting Parties shall not be bound by article 47 in respect of any Contracting Party which
has entered such a reservation.
2. Any Contracting Party having entered a reservation as provided for in paragraph 1 may at
any time withdraw such reservation by notifying the Secretary-General of the United Nations.
3. No other reservation to this Convention shall be permitted.

ARTICLE 49
———-
1. After this Convention has been in force for three years, any Contracting Party may, by
notification to the Secretary-General of the United Nations, request that a conference be
convened for the purpose of reviewing the Convention. The Secretary-General shall notify all
Contracting Parties of the request and a review conference shall be convened by the
Secretary-General if, within a period of four months following the date of notification by the
Secretary General, not less than one-fourth of the Contracting Parties notify him of their
concurrence with the request.
2. If a conference is convened in accordance with the preceding paragraph, the Secretary-
General shall notify all the Contracting Parties and invite them to submit within a period of
three months such proposals as they may wish the Conference to consider. The Secretary-
General shall circulate to all Contracting Parties the provisional agenda for the conference
together with the texts of such proposals at least three months before the date on which the
conference is to meet.
3. The Secretary-General shall invite to any conference convened in accordance with this
article all countries referred to in article 42, paragraph 1, and countries which have become
Contracting Parties under article 42, paragraph 2.

ARTICLE 50
———-
In addition to the notifications provided for in article 49, the
Secretary-General of the United Nations shall notify the countries referred to
in article 42, paragraph 1, and the countries which have become Contracting
Parties under article 42, paragraph 2, of:

(a) Ratification and accessions under article 42;
(b) The dates of entry into force of this Convention in accordance with article 43;
(c) Denunciations under article 44;
(d) The termination of this Convention in accordance with article 45;
(e) Notifications received in accordance with article 46;
(f) Declarations and notifications received in accordance with article 48, paragraphs 1 and 2.

ARTICLE 51
———-
After 31 August 1956, the original of this Convention shall be deposited with the Secretarygeneral
of the United Nations, who shall transmit certified true copies to each of the countries
mentioned in article 42, paragraphs 1 and 2.