Course 7: Export Legal Considerations

Module 5: Contracts for the Carriage of Goods Internationally

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This module builds on the foundational export training covered in course 1, with a focus on the International Legal Environment. We begin the training module with a full explanation of the circumstances in which an exporter or importer might use the services of a common sea carrier, or a chartered vessel. This segways into a discussion on the functions and legal standing of a bill of lading. Once the bill of lading has been clarified we take a deep dive into the history of the ocean transport industry. This touches on important topics like the Hague Rules, Hague-Visby Rules and the Hamburg Rules. Each of which have had lasting impressions on the manners and processes involved in ocean transport as a whole.

The module continues with a breakdown of what a sea or air charter party is. This topic also goes into the various functions of each charter party. Once the respective charter parties have been identified and classified, the module begins a discussion on the functions and legal standing of an air waybill. Understanding the various contracts of carriage as they relate to each mode of transport is absolutely vital in making the right export legal considerations for the delivery of each consignment of goods.  

We begin the training module with a full explanation of the circumstances in which an exporter or importer might use the services of a common sea carrier, or a chartered vessel. This segways into a discussion on the functions and legal standing of a bill of lading. Once the bill of lading has been clarified we take a deep dive into the history of the ocean transport industry.

The next topic in the module covers the purpose of the Montreal Convention. This segways perfectly into how to determine your rights and obligations under a typical road or rail transport document. Understanding what is expected of you as an exporter and how you should be filling out these crucial documents will aid you tremendously in both deciding a mode of transport and ensuring your export administration is in order. Once you have a clear understanding of the various elements to consider within contracts for the carriage of goods internationally, it is time to go through the challenges associated with multimodalism. Keep in mind that despite the many potential logistical influences of the transport of a consignment of goods, sometimes a simple service or updated process could lead to a new contract of carriage that better suits your export bottom-line. Often this results in a multimodal approach, as each mode of transport has its own advantages and disadvantages that may change over time.

This free module is part of a comprehensive course and is a vital source of information you need to the International Legal Environment. An understanding that is essential to any growing business or industry where the potential for international trade is high. Assuming you have completed the export foundational training, this module serves to improve your knowledge and understanding of the legal challenges posed in International Trade. 

In the following modules we will be going into detail on the topics of international contracts, a typical contract of sale/purchase, the contracts of agency and distributorship. International Trade is a legal minefield when you consider all the countries and cultures involved in a typical export transaction. By completing these modules, your fundamental understanding of all aspects of export legal considerations will improve immensely. Empowering yourself and your business to take on the legal challenges posed by the International Environment.