Differences and Similarities between International Railway Intermodal Transport and International Road Transport Waybill

A waybill is a non negotiable document issued by the carrier that certifies the contract of carriage of goods and that the goods are taken over or loaded onto the carrier, transported by car or air, and the carrier guarantees to deliver the goods to the designated recipient. The international railway intermodal waybill and the international road transport waybill are both important documents in international land transportation of goods. Due to different transportation methods, the waybills of the two are also different. Let's discuss the similarities and differences between international railway intermodal transportation and international road transportation waybills.
Similarities:
1. The basic principles are the same
In no special circumstances, one ticket, one order is required.
2. The basic function is the same
Both have the function of receiving goods, are proof of transportation contracts or contracts, and do not have the function of a document of title. They are non transferable debt documents.
3. The effectiveness of issuing waybills is basically the same
The issuance of waybills is a sign of the effectiveness of the transportation contract, indicating the establishment of rights and obligations between the carrier, shipper, and recipient. They also reflect the rights, obligations, responsibilities, and exemptions of the carrier, shipper, and recipient participating in the intermodal transportation in the transportation of goods, and have legal effect on both the carrier, shipper, and recipient.
4. The same regulations apply to the place of receipt and shipment
The locations for receiving and delivering goods specified in the contract need to be located in different locations, with their transportation passing through the territories of at least two contracting countries.
5. Basic information of all waybill contents
The international railway through transport waybill and international road transport waybill both contain basic information such as the name and address of the shipper, the name and address of the recipient, the number of goods, and weight.
6. Same filling requirements
All are filled out by the shipper according to regulations and signed by the shipper and the carrier.
difference:
1. Different composition of waybills
The international road transport waybill consists of three original copies, one of which is to be delivered to the shipper, the other to accompany the goods, and the other to be retained by the carrier; The international railway freight intermodal waybill consists of the following pieces: the original waybill; Operation report; Copy of waybill; Goods delivery note; Notice of arrival of goods.
2. The utility of waybills is different
The international railway freight transport waybill is a transportation contract concluded between the railway participating in the international railway freight transport, the shipper, and the recipient. The waybill itself is a transportation contract; In international road transportation, the transportation contract is confirmed by the signing of the consignment note, and the absence, irregularity, or loss of the waybill does not affect the establishment of the transportation contract. In individual cases, both parties to the contract will use the waybill as a contract.
3. Format of waybill
In international road freight transportation orders, in addition to specifying the items that need to be included in the waybill, it is also possible to include items that are deemed useful on the waybill; The freight bill of the International Freight Association is a standard format contract, and the parties are not allowed to modify or negotiate different terms.
4. Requirements for the carrier
The carrier engaged in international road transportation business can be a single carrier, while the carrier in an international railway intermodal transportation contract is a freight transportation contract jointly performed by two or more carriers.
5. Content of waybill
In the content that needs to be included in the waybill, the road transport waybill needs to contain the name and address of the carrier, while the railway intermodal waybill does not specify it.
6. Requirements for filling out waybills
The international railway intermodal export transport waybill should be printed in two or, if necessary, three languages, and at least one of them should be in French, German, or Italian. The international freight regulations can specify the text that shippers should use to fill out waybill items. If there is no such provision, the shipper should fill out the items in one of the official languages of the shipping country and add translations in French, German, and Italian, unless these items have already been filled out in one of the aforementioned languages. The railway may require the shipper to fill out the waybill and attached items and statements in Latin. There is no such regulation in the international highway waybill