RHA Conditions of Carriage

These are challenging times and the latest RHA Conditions of Carriage (2024), provide peace of mind, limit your liability as a carrier of goods, and are one of the key benefits of membership.

Through correct incorporation into your contracts with customers, RHA Conditions restrict and define the haulier’s legal responsibility to their customers.

So, what are the risks of running your business without them?

Just-in-time deliveries and last-minute orders can sometimes be put at risk but correctly incorporating the RHA Conditions into the contract will limit their liability and could save operators a fortune should a problem arise. 

For example, unless agreed otherwise with the customer, the Conditions set a limit of £1,300 per tonne on the gross weight of goods lost, wrongly delivered, or damaged. Not using them simply exposes the carrier to Common Law and claims for consequential loss. Without their protection the operator could be held responsible for the full value of a consignment that had suffered minor damage while in their care. 

In extreme circumstances operators could find themselves liable for losses resulting from the closure of an entire production line because of a delayed delivery.

Such is the reliability and scope of the Conditions, they are recognised as the industry standard. By incorporating them correctly, members are limiting their exposure. Our members’ customers should be encouraged to take out their own insurance to cover their goods but members should send them a copy of the RHA Conditions and quote their use every time they discuss a rate for a job. They’re leaving themselves wide open otherwise.

Richard Smith, RHA Managing Director, said: “It’s simple. If you’re an RHA member, you have the right to the use of our Conditions of Carriage.”

Please note, only RHA members are authorised to use the Conditions – unauthorised use can lead to infringement of copyright and possible legal action.

For more information, including the updates, go to the Conditions of Carriage section of the www.rha.uk.net.