What standard CMR liability covers
Every licensed carrier in international road transport is subject to the CMR Convention. It governs the carrier's liability for transport damage — but with a critical cap: maximum compensation is 8.33 SDR per kilogram of gross weight (SDR = Special Drawing Rights, approximately EUR 10.50/kg in 2026).
What does that mean in practice? A CNC machine weighing 6,000 kg and valued at EUR 120,000 is covered by CMR liability up to EUR 63,000 (6,000 kg x EUR 10.50). The EUR 57,000 difference is your risk — unless you extend the insurance.
When extension is necessary — decision thresholds
Hutnia applies a simple rule: if the machine value exceeds EUR 10/kg, standard CMR liability will not cover the full loss. Typical scenarios:
| Machine | Mass | Value | CMR max | Gap |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CNC lathe | 4,000 kg | EUR 85,000 | EUR 42,000 | EUR 43,000 |
| 5-axis machining centre | 12,000 kg | EUR 280,000 | EUR 126,000 | EUR 154,000 |
| Hydraulic press | 25,000 kg | EUR 90,000 | EUR 262,500 | EUR 0 |
The hydraulic press is heavy but relatively inexpensive per kilogram — CMR suffices. The 5-axis machining centre is light relative to its value — the gap exceeds EUR 154,000. Here, extension is mandatory, not optional.
Types of extension — cargo policy vs. value declaration
There are two paths:
1. Cargo insurance policy (Warentransportversicherung)
You purchase a separate insurance policy on the goods. The insurer is an insurance company — not the carrier. The policy covers the full machine value, including transport and potentially installation costs.
- Cost: 0.15-0.50% of cargo value (for EUR 120,000 = EUR 180-600)
- Scope: all-risk or named perils (we recommend all-risk)
- Territory: warehouse-to-warehouse (loading at seller to unloading at buyer)
- Typical exclusions: corrosion, packaging defects, delay
2. CMR value declaration (Wertdeklaration / Interest special a la livraison)
Under Article 24 of the CMR Convention, the sender may declare a cargo value above the 8.33 SDR/kg limit. The carrier accepts higher liability — and charges a surcharge.
- Cost: 0.5-2.0% of declared value
- Advantage: simpler — one settlement with the carrier
- Disadvantage: depends on the carrier's solvency and their liability insurer
Hutnia recommends a cargo policy for machines above EUR 50,000. The value declaration is acceptable for machines in the EUR 20,000-50,000 range if the carrier demonstrates solid liability cover.
Procedure — step by step
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Determine the insured value — purchase price + transport costs + possible disassembly/installation costs. If the machine requires a foundation costing EUR 15,000 and the policy does not include it, the machine is replaced after a loss but the foundation is not.
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Select an insurer — In Germany: Allianz, HDI, R+V offer cargo products. In Poland: Warta, PZU, Ergo Hestia. Hutnia works with a broker who compares offers from both markets.
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Provide documents: purchase invoice, technical specification, loading plan, transport route, carrier data.
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Obtain the Certificate of Insurance before loading — not after. The insurer must confirm coverage before the machine leaves the facility.
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Photo documentation — the insurer requires photos of the machine before loading, during securing, and after unloading. Without photos, claim settlement is difficult or impossible.
More on loading documentation in our article about overhead crane loading requirements, and on cargo securing in our guide to securing standards on the trailer.
What insurance does NOT cover
Even an all-risk policy has exclusions. The most important ones from the buyer's perspective:
- Latent defects in the machine — if the machine had a crack before transport that only became visible after unloading, the transport insurer will decline. This is why pre-purchase inspection is critical.
- Inadequate packaging — a machine without corrosion protection (VCI film, silica gel) can corrode during winter transport. The insurer will classify this as sender negligence.
- Delivery delay — production downtime costs are not included in a standard cargo policy.
- Customs seizure — if documents are incomplete (e.g. missing certificate of origin) and the machine is detained at the border, the insurer will not pay.
Hutnia negotiates insurance terms on your behalf
As a procurement agent, we know the machine's market value, the loading conditions, and the route risk. We negotiate the optimal coverage scope with the insurance broker — not too broad (expensive) and not too narrow (ineffective).
Under a Hutnia mandate, we organise insurance as part of the transport package. You do not need to call the insurer yourself and explain what a "5-axis machining centre with swivel rotary table" is.
Book an initial consultation Step 0 for EUR 49 — fully deductible from the EUR 500 mandate.
