Legal Definitions - cargo

Cargo refers to any goods, products, or materials that are being transported from one location to another by a carrier, such as a ship, airplane, train, or truck. It encompasses everything from raw materials to finished consumer products, whether they are being moved across continents or within a single city, typically for commercial purposes.

• Example 1: A massive container ship docks at a bustling port, unloading hundreds of large metal containers filled with consumer electronics, apparel, and household goods manufactured in Asia and destined for retailers across North America.

  Explanation: All the items within these containers, from the individual smartphones to the stacks of clothing and kitchen appliances, are considered the ship's cargo because they are goods being transported commercially by a vessel.

• Example 2: A specialized air freight company loads several crates containing delicate medical equipment and temperature-sensitive pharmaceutical supplies onto a cargo plane, bound for hospitals in a different country.

  Explanation: The medical equipment and pharmaceutical supplies are classified as cargo because they are goods being commercially transported by an aircraft, often requiring specific handling due to their nature.

• Example 3: A local delivery truck leaves a warehouse, its rear compartment filled with various packages containing online orders, such as books, gardening tools, and pet supplies, to be delivered to homes and businesses within the city.

  Explanation: Each package and its contents represent cargo because they are goods being moved by a vehicle (the truck) as part of a commercial delivery service.