Illustrative scenario: not a real case
Example 3: A stolen trailer load under CMR
The scenario
A Dutch shipper books a full trailer of consumer electronics (9,000 kg gross, €400,000) from Venlo, Netherlands to Milan, Italy with a haulier. Both countries are CMR parties. The driver parks overnight at an unguarded roadside area; the trailer is stolen. The goods are never recovered.
The numbers
| Scenario | Regime | Limit (SDR) | Limit (EUR) | Cargo value | Uninsured gap | Calculator |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Netherlands to Italy, 9,000 kg, €400,000 | CMR Convention | 74,970.00 | 90,370.34 | 400,000.00 | 309,629.66 | Open prefilled |
SDR rate used: 1 SDR = US$1.35646 (2026-10-16), €1.20542, C$1.92214 (IMF, build 2026-10-16). The calculator links use the latest daily rate, so figures may differ slightly.
Step by step
Netherlands to Italy, 9,000 kg, €400,000
Regime: CMR Convention. Taking over and delivery are in two different countries and at least one (Netherlands, Italy) is a CMR party (Art. 1(1)).
- 8.33 SDR × 9,000 kg = 74,970.00 SDR
- Limit = 74,970.00 SDR = US$101,693.81 / C$144,102.84 / €90,370.34
- Cargo value EUR 400,000.00 − limit EUR 90,370.34 = gap EUR 309,629.66 (22.6% covered)
What it means
The CMR limit is 8.33 × 9,000 = 74,970.00 SDR, about €90,370, roughly 22.6% of the value. The uninsured gap is about €309,630. Carriage charges and customs duties would be refunded on top (Art. 23(4)), and interest runs at 5% from the written claim (Art. 27).
Two arguments decide the real outcome. The haulier may argue theft was a circumstance it "could not avoid" (Art. 17(2)); courts apply that defence strictly, and an unguarded overnight stop makes it hard to sustain. The shipper may argue the driver's conduct was wilful misconduct or equivalent default under the law of the court (Art. 29), which would remove the limit. How courts treat theft from unattended trucks differs between countries; this is not settled across Europe. depends on national case law
Deadlines: the goods can be treated as lost 30 days after the agreed delivery time or 60 days after taking over if none was agreed (Art. 20). Time bar: 1 year, or 3 years for wilful misconduct (Art. 32); a written claim suspends it until the carrier rejects it in writing.
Takeaways
- CMR limits are low for high-value road freight: 8.33 SDR/kg.
- Agree security requirements in writing (secure parking, no unattended stops) and insure the goods.
- Send a written claim promptly: it suspends the time bar and starts interest.
Background: CMR basics: road shipments in Europe and beyond.
Try it with your own shipment
Run the numbers in the free calculator: applicable convention, carrier limit in USD/CAD/EUR, uninsured gap and deadlines.
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Prototype: this form is not connected yet and stores nothing.This is a fictional, simplified scenario for education. Real outcomes depend on the contract, the facts, the court and the evidence. 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.