Rules for the transportation of goods in Ukraine

Inland freight transportation is used by almost all business representatives. Some companies buy raw materials, others send goods to a customer, equipment to a branch or machinery to another site. Not all firms have their own fleet of trucks. And they resort to the services of transportation companies.

There are many advantages in such cooperation. A professional trucking company not only has the necessary human and technical resources to provide high service, but also knows exactly, and complies with the rules of cargo transportation by road. Let’s dwell on this in more detail. 

What are the rules of cargo transportation

The activities of trucking companies are regulated by a number of legal documents, including traffic rules (section Cargo Transportation), the Law on Transport, the Transport Code, the Law on Transport and Forwarding Activities. 

Together they define the rights and obligations of the parties, i.e. responsibility and rights of the consignor, rights and obligations of the carrier. At the same time for a number of cargoes there are additional by-laws and regulations, for example, for hazardous liquids and oversized structures. This is why it is so important to clearly understand how to ship a particular raw material, commodity or product in a legally compliant manner. For companies that do not have their own logistics department with an experienced lawyer, the best option is to contact a professional trucking company. Specialized companies know exactly, the rules of cargo transportation. Therefore, the cargo transportation goes without problems and risks.

Transportation

The rules and conditions of cargo transportation determine all the nuances of moving goods, products, products by road transport. For commercial transportation of goods, the operator is obliged to use vehicles that are in good technical condition. Otherwise, he is liable for any damage that may arise due to violation of this obligation.

Contract

The cargo can be transported as a main, capital or as an additional, as part of a prefabricated shipment. The obligations of transportation are spelled out in the contract, which is signed by the responsible representatives of the parties. 

The contract for transportation contains the data necessary for the performance and billing of transportation, in particular:

• details of the shipper;
• loading place address, date, time;
• unloading place address and details of the consignee;
• description of the shipment, i.e. the usual name of its contents and packaging or its labeling in accordance with technical or other standards, product lists, specifications;
• if the cargo requires special conditions, this must be specified in the contract;
• the number of packages, pallets, etc., and the total weight of the cargo shall be additionally specified;
• the period of delivery of the cargo;
• the type of vehicle to be used for transportation;
• the estimated value of the cargo to be transported;
• any other information that pertains to the transportation of the shipment.

The carrier carries out the transportation with professional care based on the concluded contract of carriage and the shipper’s data on the nature of the cargo. Conversely, the transportation of goods by a private person does not always provide for the drawing up of such a contract. Because of which the guarantees of the parties and liability is blurred. 

Bill of lading 

The rules of transportation are not only compliance with contractual obligations, but also preparation, availability of a package of documents for the driver or accompanying person. The bill of lading accompanies the cargo to the consignee. It specifies the place and date of delivery of the cargo, details of the parties, the usual marking of the cargo, the gross weight of the cargo. The transport document may include some additional data if the parties to the contract of carriage find them useful. The full list of documents that are needed for cargo transportation can be found in other articles on our website.

Dangerous and oversized cargo

Transportation of dangerous goods is carried out in accordance with the legislation regulating their classification and conditions of their transportation. The consignor is obliged to inform the carrier in a timely manner the exact hazard marking and type of dangerous goods, substance or object. The carrier is obliged to use all necessary resources to protect the dangerous goods and to protect the environment and people from the dangerous goods.

Transportation of oversized cargo is regulated by separate rules. 

Packing and labeling of goods

If the nature of the goods so requires, the shipper shall pack the goods in such a way as to protect them from damage during transportation. It is the responsibility of the owner of the goods to ensure the strength of the packaging. Marking of the cargo is performed if it is stipulated in the contract of carriage. The marking of dangerous goods is regulated by special rules.

If the nature of the cargo requires special handling during loading, transportation and unloading or requires storage in a certain position, the shipper must mark it with a special label. 

Loading and unloading of cargo

Unless otherwise stipulated in the contract, the shipper must load the shipment into the vehicle. Some carriers offer a turnkey service. In this case, loading and unloading is performed by the transportation company.

Before the departure of the vehicle with the cargo, the carrier conducts a documentary check of the cargo, checks the external condition, fastening in the vehicle.

The weight of the cargo must not exceed the permissible norms, as the sender, carrier and driver are liable for overloading. If such a violation is detected, a fine is issued.

The carrier is not obliged to seal the cargo area of the vehicle. However, if the shipper so requests, the carrier must authorize the shipper to seal.

The consignee is obliged to unload the goods from the carrier’s vehicle in the presence of the carrier at the place of delivery. The consignee accepts the goods on the acceptance certificate. 

Delivery

Delivery is carried out according to the approved schedule and the agreed route. Deviation from these conditions may be considered as a breach of contractual obligations. On the way, the carrier is responsible for the integrity and safety of the cargo. His responsibility ends when the cargo is handed over to the recipient under the act.

Who to trust cargo transportation in Ukraine

Cargo transportation rules are not just a bureaucratic element. It is a real working tool that helps the parties to regulate the relationship during the transportation of goods. Thanks to all the details that are specified in various regulations, the sender, carrier and recipient are protected from any surprises in their activities.

“Neolit Logistics” works in strict compliance with the rules of transportation, so the clients of the transport company can quietly do business without worrying about the cargo. You can learn more about the carrier’s activities by contact phone number or in the office.