CIM — Appendix B to COTIF
12 July 2026 · EN · NL · DE · FR
Summary
The CIM Uniform Rules (Appendix B to COTIF) govern the contract of international carriage of goods by rail. They regulate the rail consignment note, the carrier's liability for loss, damage and transit delay, and the handling of claims. They apply to rail journeys crossing borders between COTIF member states, and increasingly matter for combined road-rail transport in Europe.
Frequently asked questions
What is the CIM Uniform Rules and where does it come from?
The CIM Uniform Rules form Appendix B to COTIF, the international convention on rail transport. They set out the legal framework for contracts of international carriage of goods by rail, covering the consignment note, carrier liability, and claims handling between parties involved in cross-border rail shipments.
When does CIM apply to a rail shipment?
CIM applies to rail journeys that cross borders between COTIF member states. It governs the contract of carriage for such international movements, making it the reference framework whenever goods travel by rail across at least one border within the COTIF area.
What does CIM regulate regarding liability and claims?
CIM sets rules on the carrier's liability for loss, damage, and transit delay of goods during rail carriage. It also establishes procedures for handling claims, giving shippers and carriers a common legal basis for resolving disputes arising from international rail transport.
Why is CIM relevant to combined road-rail transport?
Although CIM was designed for rail carriage, it is increasingly relevant to combined road-rail transport operations in Europe, since many multimodal chains include a cross-border rail leg governed by these rules alongside road transport regulations for other legs.
Official sources
- Official text (OTIF, PDF) ↗ · otif.org
- COTIF reference texts and appendices (OTIF) ↗ · otif.org