What a transport agreement should cover on loss or damage

You've just packed a consignment of stock for your store, office supplies for a client, or equipment for a job site. The transporter is arriving tomorrow. Before you hand over those goods, you need to know: if something breaks, gets stolen or goes missing in transit, who pays? That question is the heart of a transport agreement, and getting it wrong can leave you exposed to serious loss.

A transport agreement isn't just a receipt. It's a contract that sets out what happens when things go wrong. Without clear terms, disputes spiral into finger-pointing and financial pain. The goods carrier might claim your packaging was inadequate. You might argue they were careless. Meanwhile, no one's paying and your loss sits unresolved. A solid agreement prevents that.

The liability clause: who bears the cost

This is the centrepiece of any agreement on loss or damage. It spells out whether the transporter is responsible for the goods while they're in transit, and under what circumstances. A transporter who accepts full liability agrees to cover the cost of goods that are damaged, lost or stolen during the journey—provided you've done your part (proper packaging, honest description of contents, agreed route).

Some transporters offer limited liability, capping their responsibility at a percentage of the load value or a fixed amount per kilogram. Others exclude liability for certain categories of risk—theft if goods are left unattended, for instance, or damage from extreme weather. Read this clause carefully. If you're moving high-value items, limited liability might not protect you adequately, and you may need to arrange separate cargo insurance.

The agreement should also be clear about what the transporter is *not* responsible for. Damage caused by incorrect instructions from you, hazardous goods you didn't declare, or your own goods damaging each other during loading—these sit outside their duty of care. Get these exclusions in writing so there's no ambiguity later.

Declaring goods and valuation

You can't claim for goods you haven't declared. If your agreement mentions cargo worth R8,000 but you've loaded R12,000 worth, the transporter's liability is capped at the declared value. That's standard practice and protects the transporter from open-ended exposure, but it only works if you're honest upfront.

Many transporters ask for an item list: what you're moving, rough value, and any fragile or high-risk items. Don't be tempted to undervalue goods to save money on insurance or fees. If damage occurs and the claim value doesn't match the declared value, you'll lose credibility and may forfeit the claim entirely. Be specific about contents. "Assorted goods" or "office equipment" won't help you if the load is damaged and you need to prove what was inside.

Some agreements include a valuation process: the transporter inspects the load, photographs it, and both parties sign off on condition and declared value before departure. This creates a record and reduces disputes later. If the transporter offers this, it's worth taking the time.

Reporting and claims procedures

Speed matters. Most agreements require you to report damage or loss within a set timeframe—often 24 to 48 hours—with photographs or evidence. If you don't report promptly, you may lose the right to claim. That sounds harsh, but it's why: the transporter needs to lodge a claim with their own insurer quickly, and they can't do that if they don't know about the problem.

Before the goods leave, ask the transporter how to report a problem and what evidence they'll need. Photographs of damaged items, the packaging they arrived in, and your original item list are standard. Keep any packaging, receipts or communication until the claim is resolved. If goods go missing, file a report with the transporter and ask whether they'll check with their depot and the consignee address. Document everything in writing—email is fine—so there's a record if you need to escalate.

Insurance and protection beyond the agreement

The transporter's liability insurance covers them and their legal obligations, but it might not cover everything you need. If you're moving goods of exceptional value or high risk—artwork, electronics, cash—consider arranging cargo insurance yourself. It's a separate policy that covers your loss regardless of who's at fault, which is often cheaper and faster than pursuing a claim against the transporter.

Before you book, ask whether the transporter carries cargo insurance and what their liability limit is. If it's low, you'll know you need to insure separately or accept the risk yourself. When comparing transporters on Strove, check what their agreements say about liability and what insurance they carry. That detail, alongside their track record and reviews, tells you whether they're the right fit for your goods.