Frachtbriefe

Frachtbriefe are transport documents that confirm a carriage contract and record key details about the sender, the recipient, the goods, and the conditions of transport. In German practice the term is used across various modes, including road, inland waterways, and sea, while international usage often distinguishes between Frachtbrief and Konnossement depending on the transport form.

The three core functions of a Frachtbrief are: 1) a contractual proof of the carriage agreement between shipper and carrier; 2) a receipt acknowledging the goods were received in the stated condition; 3) a potential transfer instrument, where certain forms can convey rights to the goods to another party.

Typical content includes: names and addresses of shipper and consignee, place and date of issue, description of goods (type, quantity, packaging, marks), shipment details (load port, destination, vessel or vehicle), loading date, and freight and payment terms. The document may also set out liability limits, insurance options, and special handling instructions.

Use and forms vary by transport mode. Seefrachtbriefe (Konnossement) are common in sea transport and can be negotiable (order or straight). For road transport, a Frachtbrief under the CMR convention is standard. Air transport uses the Luftfrachtbrief (air waybill), which is usually non-negotiable and serves primarily as a contract and receipt.

Legal framework and evolving practices: liability regimes follow applicable conventions such as Hague-Visby or CMR, and the exact effects depend on the form of the Frachtbrief and the governing law. Electronic Frachtbriefe are increasingly used as digital equivalents.