Quick answer
Unless a higher value is declared, a carrier's liability is capped by weight. By road (CMR) the cap is 8.33 SDR per kilogram of gross weight; by air (Montreal Convention) 26 SDR per kilogram since 28 December 2024; by sea (Hague-Visby Rules) 666.67 SDR per package or 2 SDR per kilogram, whichever is higher. At the IMF rate of 28 October 2026 (1 SDR = €1.21421), a 20-tonne road load is covered up to about €202,000, a 500 kg air shipment up to about €15,800. Light, valuable goods are where the gap is largest, which is what cargo insurance is for.
Last updated: 28 October 2026
Limits by convention
| Mode and convention | Limit | Per kilogram (€) |
|---|---|---|
| Road · CMR | 8.33 SDR / kg | 10.11 € |
| Air · Montreal | 26 SDR / kg | 31.57 € |
| Sea · Hague-Visby | 666.67 SDR / package or 2 SDR / kg (higher) | 2.43 € |
Rate: IMF, 28 October 2026 · 1 SDR = €1.21421
Worked examples
| Shipment | Calculation | Most the carrier pays |
|---|---|---|
| 20 t road load | 8.33 × 20,000 kg = 166,600 SDR | 202,287 € |
| 500 kg air shipment | 26 × 500 kg = 13,000 SDR | 15,785 € |
| 5 t sea cargo in 10 packages | max(666.67 × 10; 2 × 5,000) = 10,000 SDR | 12,142 € |
| 1 t electronics (worth €80,000), by road | 8.33 × 1,000 kg = 8,330 SDR | 10,114 € |
Why the limit matters
The limit is per kilogram, not per euro of value. A tonne of electronics worth €80,000 sent by road is covered by the carrier for at most 8.33 × 1,000 SDR ≈ €10,100; the rest is uninsured unless the shipper buys cargo insurance or declares a higher value in the consignment note.
Frequently asked questions
What is the CMR liability limit?
8.33 SDR per kilogram of gross weight missing or damaged, unless a higher value or special interest was declared in the consignment note.
What is the Montreal Convention cargo limit?
26 SDR per kilogram since 28 December 2024 (it was 22 SDR before; the original treaty text said 17).
How is the Hague-Visby limit calculated?
666.67 SDR per package or unit, or 2 SDR per kilogram of gross weight, whichever is higher.
What is an SDR worth?
The IMF Special Drawing Right; on 28 October 2026, 1 SDR = €1.21421 = $1.35178. The rate changes daily.