CIM (COTIF Appendix B): liability limits and deadlines
The rail counterpart of CMR, administered by the Intergovernmental Organisation for International Carriage by Rail (OTIF) in Bern. Members are mainly European, Middle Eastern and North African states.
Full name: Uniform Rules concerning the Contract of International Carriage of Goods by Rail (CIM), Appendix B to the Convention concerning International Carriage by Rail (COTIF) 1999
Status: In force (OTIF Member States)
Mode: Rail
Carrier's liability limit
17 units of account (SDR) per kilogram of gross mass short (Art. 30 §2), plus refund of carriage charges and duties. Delay: up to four times the carriage charge (Art. 33).
Notice, claim and time-bar deadlines
- Notice of non-apparent loss/damage
- Ask for ascertainment immediately after discovery and not later than 7 days after acceptance of the goods (Art. 47 §2(b)).
- Notice of delay
- Assert rights against a carrier within 60 days (Art. 47 §2(c)).
- Time bar (suit)
- 1 year; 2 years for wilful/reckless loss, cash-on-delivery or sale-proceeds claims, and certain reconsignment cases (Art. 48 §1).
Who it applies to
Contracts of carriage of goods by rail for reward where the place of taking over and the place of delivery are in two different Member States (Art. 1 §1), and some other cases agreed by the parties.
Of the 20 countries we cover, these are parties or apply it: Germany, United Kingdom, France, Netherlands, Italy, Spain, Türkiye (Turkey).
Important notes
- The limit is broken for intentional or reckless conduct (Art. 36).
- Higher recovery is possible by declaring a value (Art. 34) or an interest in delivery (Art. 35).
FAQ
Does CIM apply to China–Europe rail freight?
China is not an OTIF member. China–Europe rail often runs under SMGS for part of the route and CIM for part, with a combined CIM/SMGS consignment note. Check your consignment note.
Primary sources
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Prototype: this form is not connected yet and stores nothing.General information only, not legal or insurance advice. Limits depend on the contract, the documents issued, declared values, national law and the facts of each case. Check the primary sources and consult a qualified professional before relying on any figure.