ADSp

The ADSp (German Freight Forwarders’ Standard Terms and Conditions) are an important set of rules for the transportation of goods in Germany. They define the legal framework under which freight forwarders carry out the transportation of goods. Developed by the German Freight Forwarding and Logistics Association (DSLV), the ADSp are the standard contractual conditions for freight forwarders in Germany and regulate the rights and obligations of both freight forwarders and their customers (consignors and consignees).

ADSp: Scope and contents

The ADSP covers key aspects of the transportation contract, including:

Terms of payment: The terms for payments are also regulated in the ADSP, including the due date and any additional costs.

Liability and insurance: You define the liability limits for loss or damage to the goods. Freight forwarders are liable up to a defined maximum limit, unless the damage was caused by gross negligence or intent. Optionally, extended liability can be agreed for an additional fee.

Packaging and securing: The freight forwarder is obliged to transport the goods safely and properly in accordance with the instructions of the sender, which also includes responsibility for appropriate packaging and labelling.

Shipper’s obligations: The shipper must provide the freight forwarder with all relevant information and documents in order to carry out the transport correctly.

Commitment and adaptation

The ADSP are binding for both parties, unless otherwise agreed. They provide a clear and transparent basis for the execution of transports within Germany and protect both the freight forwarder and the shipper from legal ambiguities.

Validity for national transports

The ADSP apply primarily to national freight traffic in Germany. There are alternative regulations for international freight transport, such as the ADSp for international transport or internationally recognized standards such as the Incoterms.

ADSp in the freight forwarding industry

The ADSp are of central importance for companies in the freight forwarding industry, as they provide clear guidelines for the organization and execution of transports. Both freight forwarders and consignors should be familiar with them in order to avoid misunderstandings and legal conflicts.

They are therefore an indispensable instrument for standardizing and securing the transport of goods in Germany.

We, Falk Albrecht GmbH, work on the basis of ADSp2017, which you can view here