Hamburg Rules
United Nations Convention on the Carriage of Goods by Sea (Hamburg, 1978)
When it applies
In force between its contracting states, which are mostly in Africa, Latin America and the Middle East rather than among the largest trading nations. A shipment can fall under it at one end of the voyage and not the other.
Limit
Article 6835 SDR per package or other shipping unit, or 2.5 SDR per kilogram of gross weight — whichever is higher.
Notice of loss
Article 19Notice in writing not later than the working day after delivery where the loss is apparent; within fifteen consecutive days of delivery where it is not.
Time bar
Article 20Two years, which is twice the Hague-Visby period.
When the limit is lost
Intent to cause loss, or recklessness with knowledge that loss would probably result.
What the cap pays on a sample consignment
Applying the published limit to a sample consignment of 1,000 kg gross, 10 packages, invoice value US$120,000. The consignment is an illustration chosen so the arithmetic is checkable — it is not an average, a typical shipment or a measurement.
No conversion between SDR and any currency is shown. The International Monetary Fund revalues the SDR every business day, so a converted figure printed on a page is wrong by the time it is read.
What this means for cover
Roughly 25% more per package than Hague-Visby and a longer window to sue — still a weight-based cap, still unrelated to the value of the goods.
Other sea regimes
Sources
This page summarises the instruments above. It is not the wording, and it is not legal advice. Where a summary conflicts with a convention text, a policy wording or a certificate, that document governs.
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