Frachtführer

Frachtführer is a term used in logistics to denote the carrier who undertakes to transport goods from an origin to a specified destination for a fee, under a contract of carriage (Frachtvertrag). The Frachtführer may operate in road, rail, sea, air, or multimodal transport, and the term is commonly used in German-speaking and international practice as the legal carrier for the shipment.

Duties and documents: The Frachtführer takes custody of the goods from the shipper and is responsible for the transport to the agreed destination, including proper loading, securing, stowage, and timely delivery. They must comply with applicable transport regulations and liability regimes. The contract of carriage is typically evidenced by documents such as a Frachtbrief, Ladeschein, or bill of lading, which allocate rights, obligations, and liability between the parties.

Liability: The Frachtführer is generally liable for loss or damage to the goods while they are in custody, within the limits set by the governing regime and subject to defenses such as force majeure, inherent vice of the goods, or acts of the shipper. Liability regimes vary by mode of transport and jurisdiction (for example, CMR for international road transport, Hague-Visby or Hamburg Rules for sea, Montreal or Warsaw for air).

Relation to Spediteur: A Spediteur (freight forwarder) coordinates and often documents or arranges the carriage, but is not necessarily the direct carrier. The Frachtführer may operate its own fleet or contract subcontractors to perform the transport, while the Spediteur handles planning, documentation, and coordination.

In summary, the Frachtführer is the legal carrier responsible for carrying goods under the contract of carriage, with duties to transport securely and deliver, and with liability governed by applicable transport law.