Steplane › Guides › AVC 2002 conditions
Updated 19 October 2026 · Written by Paul, founder of Steplane, a logistics process specialist with over 13 years in logistics, including at some of the biggest freight forwarders in the world.
In short: The AVC 2002 are the standard conditions for Dutch domestic road transport. They limit the carrier's liability for loss or damage to €3.40 per kg, as the Dutch Civil Code does. Delay is limited to once the freight, or twice if a delivery time was agreed in writing. Hidden damage needs notice within a week; claims expire after a year.
The AVC (Algemene Vervoercondities) apply only if the sender and carrier agree to them, usually through an AVC consignment note. For international road transport, CMR applies and the AVC only fill the gaps.
Article numbers below follow the AVC 2002 text published by Stichting Vervoeradres. Check the current text before you rely on it. General information, not legal advice.
| Topic | What the AVC 2002 say | Article |
|---|---|---|
| Scope | Contracts for the carriage of goods by road. If CMR applies, the AVC apply in addition. | 3 |
| Sender's duties | Give the carrier the information it needs in time, have the goods ready at the agreed place, time and manner, address each package, state the total weight on the consignment note, and load, stow and have the goods unloaded. | 4(1) |
| Consignment note | The note states that the AVC apply. The sender fills it in fully and truthfully. It is evidence of the contract, unless proven otherwise. | 5, 6 |
| Freight and payment | Freight is due when the note is handed over or the goods are taken over. No set-off against freight. Statutory interest under Civil Code art. 6:119 applies to late payment. | 7, 27 |
| Delivery time | Within a reasonable time, or within the delivery time agreed in writing. | 9(3) |
| Liability for loss or damage | €3.40 per kg. Consequential loss, business interruption and non-material damage are excluded. | 13(1) |
| Delay | Once the freight; twice the freight if a delivery time was agreed in writing. | 13(3) |
| Notice of damage | Visible: at or right after delivery. Hidden damage and delay: within one week. Always in writing. | 15 |
| Cash on delivery | Not more than the invoice value; the carrier pays it to the sender within two weeks of delivery. | 17 |
| Retention and pledge | The carrier may hold goods and documents for what it is owed. Selling pledged goods needs court permission, apart from some insolvency cases. | 23, 24 |
| Time bar | One year for claims under the contract. | 28(1) |
The AVC 2002 are deposited at the registries of the Amsterdam and Rotterdam district courts. The text is available in Dutch and in English.
The limit that applies depends on the type of contract and on whether the move crosses a border.
| Contract | Rules | Limit for loss or damage | Delay | Time bar |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dutch domestic road transport, no conditions agreed | Civil Code book 8, title 13, and its implementing decree | €3.40 per kg (art. 8:1105 and the decree) | The freight | 1 year |
| Dutch domestic, AVC agreed | AVC 2002 | €3.40 per kg (art. 13(1)) | Once the freight; twice if a delivery time was agreed in writing | 1 year (art. 28) |
| International road transport | CMR, with the AVC on top if agreed | 8.33 SDR per kg, about €10 per kg (CMR art. 23(3)) | Up to the freight (art. 23(5)) | 1 year, 3 for wilful misconduct (art. 32) |
| Forwarding contract | Dutch Forwarding Conditions 2018 | 4 SDR per kg, at most 10,000 SDR per event (art. 11) | See conditions | 9 months, barred after 18 months (art. 20) |
Example: an 800 kg pallet worth €12,000 is lost.
The gap to €12,000 is what cargo insurance is for. Tell your customer in the quote which limit applies.
The AVC 2002 contain no rule on free time, waiting time or a waiting-time rate. What they do say:
So a carrier kept waiting by the sender can claim its damage, but it has to prove it. A fixed rate in the transport order is much easier to bill.
| Agree in the transport order | Example |
|---|---|
| Free time per stop | [1] hour for loading or unloading a full truck |
| Waiting-time rate | €[rate] per started [30] minutes after the free time |
| When the clock starts | At the booked time, or at arrival if later |
| Proof | Arrival and departure times on the consignment note, signed or stamped at the site |
| Who pays | The client named on the order, also when the delay is at the consignee |
Work out the amount with the detention and waiting time calculator.
A Dutch transport company often works both ways: it drives some loads itself and arranges others with subcontractors. The role you take on each job decides the conditions.
Say in the quote which role you take and which conditions apply. A quote that says "transport under AVC" while you act as forwarder can leave you liable as carrier.
| Step | When | Who | Record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Write visible damage on the consignment note | At delivery | Consignee, with the driver | Remark on the note, photos |
| Written reservation for hidden damage | Within one week of delivery | Consignee or client | Letter or email with proof of sending |
| Written reservation for delay | Within one week of delivery | Consignee or client | Letter or email |
| Formal claim with the amount | As soon as the loss is known | Client | Claim letter, invoice, weight, photos |
| Check the limit | Before you send the claim | Claims owner | Weight × €3.40, or the freight for delay |
| Diary the time bar | On day one | Claims owner | Claims log: one year |
Seven steps from damage found to a closed claim file: a damage report form for drivers and warehouse staff, claim letters to the carrier, letters to the customer and an Excel claims log that calculates the deadlines. EU and US versions in Word and Excel.
€49 (about $55) per kit, one-time. EU and US versions. Any 3 kits €99, all 6 kits €199. 14-day money-back guarantee.
€3.40 per kg of gross weight for loss of or damage to the goods (art. 13(1)). Consequential loss is excluded. The Dutch Civil Code sets the same amount for domestic road transport.
Once the freight, or twice the freight if a delivery time was agreed in writing (art. 13(3)).
Visible damage at or right after delivery, in writing. Hidden damage and delay within one week of delivery (art. 15). Claims expire after one year (art. 28).
Not as a rate. The sender must have the goods ready at the agreed time and pays the carrier's damage if not (art. 4). Agree free time and an hourly rate in the transport order to bill it simply.
CMR applies by law to international road transport. If the parties agreed the AVC, they apply only on points CMR does not cover (art. 3).
No. The AVC are for carriers. The Dutch Forwarding Conditions are for forwarders that arrange transport, with a limit of 4 SDR per kg and at most 10,000 SDR per event.
Answer simple questions about how your company works today. You get the process map with owners, triggers and records, the money leaks with estimates and a written procedure. Free, no sign-up.
Start the free check