We would also like to take this opportunity to express our gratitude to the entire railway community, which ensures the smooth and safe movement of goods across Slovakia through its daily work. Special thanks to ZSSK Cargo for its professionalism, reliability, and significant contribution to the development of sustainable logistics.

We believe that 2026 will bring new successes and support further growth of the entire rail freight transport sector.

Team iCargo

Obligations of the consignor:

1. provide the carrier with accurate information about the content of the shipment, its nature, type, weight, and number of packages
2. hand over to the carrier all documents required for transport no later than at the time of delivery of the goods
3. ensure appropriate packaging of the goods and proper stowage in the transport vehicle

Payer for transport =/= Consignor

Often, the consignor is an expert in their field of business but has little interest in understanding logistics bureaucracy. In practice, a common situation arises where the consignor agrees with the consignee that the consignee will cover the transport costs. The consignment note is then hastily filled out – sometimes even by the consignee – and submitted, for example, to the railway. At this point, the consignor feels relieved: they handed over the consignment note, their role in the responsibility chain is over, and they watch the wagons leave the siding. But if the train is later stopped because of an error in the consignment note, the unpleasant truth sets in.

Why should the consignor be liable for this error? After all, they did not pay for the transport and the consignee filled in the consignment note. Legally, the responsibility lies with the person recorded as the consignor on the consignment note – period. Thus, the consignor bears the costs of the delay.

How to avoid this liability?

Given how much delays cost in the logistics industry, ignorance has a high price. Consignors understandably want to escape this responsibility. Not every consignor has a logistics department available, especially when the consignor is not the manufacturer but rather a trader.

The safest option in such a case is to involve a freight forwarder, who will then appear in the documents as the consignor. In this scenario, the original consignor no longer has the duty to provide documents upon handing over the consignment – instead, the freight forwarder takes on this bureaucratic task and also accepts liability for possible damages caused by documentation errors.

Packaging and stowage of goods

The most important responsibility of the consignor is proper packaging and securing of the goods in the transport vehicle. Failure to meet this duty can cause not only damage or destruction of the goods and the vehicle but also tragic accidents, particularly in road transport.

Many consignors assume that once the carrier accepts the loaded goods, the carrier accepts full liability. But is that really so? This is a very fine line: yes, the carrier assumes responsibility after accepting the goods, but what could they realistically check? The carrier is not able to unwrap, for example, palletized goods covered in shrink wrap. In the event of damage, the carrier will do everything possible to disclaim responsibility. For this reason, it is in the consignor’s best interest to ensure that the cargo is properly prepared for transport. One must consider all forces that may act on the goods during transit or consult with an experienced freight forwarder.

A professional freight forwarder also considers situations where even regulatory securing measures may be insufficient – for example, during rail shunting, when wagons can collide with significant force. The fault may be on the side of the carrier, terminal, or marshalling yard – but who will admit to it? The loss usually falls back on the consignor for “insufficient” securing of the goods.

How to avoid responsibility for proper packing and securing of goods on the transport vehicle?

In practice, the consignor is always the party responsible for appropriate packaging and securing of the cargo. This obligation is explicitly stated in international conventions and automatically applies to anyone recorded as the consignor in the consignment note. If packaging is insufficient, the carrier may note this in the consignment note, limiting their liability – but if the defect was not apparent, liability remains with the consignor.

The only way to transfer this responsibility is through a clear contractual agreement with a freight forwarder or a third party who will explicitly take over the consignor’s duties in packaging. That party must then be listed as the consignor in the consignment note and is responsible for performing all packaging work according to regulations.

Therefore, the most reliable way is to engage a professional freight forwarder from the start, who will be contractually recognized as the consignor. In that case, they bear the responsibility for packaging quality, and their legal liability equals that of the original consignor. However, it is crucial that all such arrangements are properly documented both in the contract and in the consignment note – if not clearly defined, liability automatically remains with the original consignor, regardless of who actually packed the goods or paid for the packing.

Accuracy of information about the goods

Providing the carrier with accurate and precise information about the shipment’s content, nature, type, weight, and number of packages is absolutely critical for safe, efficient, and legally compliant international transport.

This duty is generally non-transferable, because only the consignor – most often the manufacturer, who created the goods or has direct control over them – truly knows all the details about the product, its specifications, potential risks, or hazards.

The consignor knows the exact parameters, composition, special handling requirements, storage needs, or specific dangers (e.g. chemicals, fragile goods, oversized cargo) that must necessarily be communicated to the carrier. The carrier works only with the information provided and usually has neither the possibility nor the authority to fully analyze the contents of the shipment or the manufacturing details.

If such information is incomplete or misleading, risks arise not only for transport efficiency (such as using the wrong vehicle, improper securing, or unsuitable packaging), but also for potential damage to the goods, damage to the vehicle, endangerment of people, or risks to other shipments.

In the event of an incident, liability almost always falls on the consignor because they are the only party who could have provided this information truthfully – no third party has access to the product manufacturing details or complete technical data.

Although rail freight transport is one of the key forms of cargo transport, it is not without disadvantages. Before looking at its benefits, it is important to highlight the main limitations and weaknesses it can encounter:

1. Short distances
Rail is unsuitable for transporting goods over short distances. In most cases, truck transport is faster, more flexible, and cheaper. There are exceptions, and sometimes companies may choose rail transport even for short distances.

If a shipper needs to send 2,000 tons of goods at once and their facility is connected to the rail network via a siding, and the recipient has the personnel and technology for unloading, rail can be considered. Transporting 2,000 tons of goods at 24 tons per truck would require about 83 trucks. Getting that many trucks at once is difficult or impossible. However, such scenarios are very rare.

2. Urgent shipments
Rail freight is extremely unsuitable for this type of shipment. In urgent cases where time is critical, it is always better to use truck or air transport.

3. Small quantities
Rail transport is not economically advantageous for small volumes of goods. Running a train requires filling a certain capacity to keep the price per ton competitive. For smaller shipments, road transport is more efficient, as it allows more flexible planning and the collection of smaller loads from multiple shippers. Moreover, rail companies often prefer larger volumes, as handling individual pieces or small pallet shipments is organizationally and financially demanding.

4. Places without rail infrastructure
As mentioned in the scenario above, connection to the rail infrastructure by a siding is an important aspect that can determine the profitability of transport. If the recipient does not have a siding, the goods must be transferred to trucks at the nearest terminal. Every handling of goods means additional costs.
Again, there is an exception if the goods travel long distances. Then it is worth considering whether the lower costs of the long rail journey compensate for the additional handling costs. A good freight forwarder should assess this alternative for long-distance shipments.

5. Transport of goods with special requirements and high-value goods
This includes frozen, chilled, or perishable goods. Movement of goods by rail is slow compared to other methods. While it is often possible to provide the necessary conditions, it is usually uneconomical.
It is also not recommended to transport very valuable goods by rail if they can be easily stolen. Wagons move between stations and travel for a relatively long time, increasing the risk of theft.

If you have read this far, it is likely you will find yourself in the following points. Now we will present situations when you should choose rail transport:

1. Large transport capacity
Only sea transport offers greater capacity. For example, at the beginning of the year, a train from Poland to the Czech Republic delivered 3,067 tons of material. Transporting 3,067 tons would require 125 trucks on this route.

2. Speed
This term is relative. Rail will never be faster than truck transport, and certainly not faster than air. However, it is significantly faster than sea transport. On the route from China to the EU, rail is more than twice as fast as sea transport.

3. Safety
Rail is among the safest modes of transport, with minimal accidents and low risk of damage or loss of goods. While thefts do occur, they are not as frequent or as damaging as those caused by phantom carriers in road transport. Thefts usually involve fuel, iron, or copper from wagons in tens or hundreds of kilograms. High-value goods like consumer electronics are now rarely transported by rail. In terms of accident rates, truck transport cannot match rail.

4. Environmental impact
Rail freight is one of the greenest options for transporting goods. Compared to road or air transport, rail produces significantly fewer emissions and has a lower negative impact on air, soil, and water.
Currently, companies across the European Union face increasing pressure to reduce environmental impact and shift to more sustainable transport. The EU, through climate policies, is tightening emission reduction requirements and promoting ecological alternatives in logistics. Even if rail is sometimes less economically efficient than road, its environmental benefits and compliance with legislation can be decisive factors for companies. Choosing rail makes sense not only for environmental protection but also for long-term sustainability and company reputation.

Choosing the right mode of transport always depends on individual needs, the specifics of the goods, and customer expectations. Rail freight has clear advantages, especially for large volumes, long distances, and situations where safety and ecological responsibility are priorities.

As a freight forwarding company focused on rail transport, we can help you assess whether this method is optimal for your needs. Our task is not only to arrange the transport itself but also to propose the most effective solution considering costs, time, and environmental requirements. If you are considering rail freight, we are happy to prepare an individual offer and assist with logistics from start to finish.

Team iCargo

We are delighted to announce that iCargo is returning to the Transport Logistic Trade Fair. Transport Logistic is the heartbeat of the global logistics industry, and we couldn’t miss the chance to reconnect with partners, meet new innovators, and showcase how we’re pushing boundaries in freight forwarding. After the incredible connections and insights we gained last time, we knew we had to come back.

What to expect at Our Stand:

Team of Rail Freight Experts who will gladly explain how railroads can make your supply chain more cost-efficient, reliable, and sustainable.
Global reach with Local Know-How: Discover how can iCargo support you in moving cargo through EU, Ukraine, Russia, Kazakhstan, China, Mexico,…
Multimodal Expertise: We combine several modes of transport to deliver the most cost-efficient solution to our clients.
Customs & Compliance: With iCargo you’ll never have to deal with complicated paperwork again.
Live Cargo Tracking: We understand that being informed is what matters. iCargo offers live tracking solutions in modes and in areas where it is not ordinarily available.
Sustainability Edge for Your Business. Our solutions are tailored to Your needs!

Where to find us:

You can find us in Hall B6:

Stand number 120:

Bring your toughest logistics challenge and we’ll brainstorm solutions on the spot!

Team iCargo

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