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How can using another carrier without permission breach a carriage contract?

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Mosaic portrait of Emperor Justinian I with a jeweled crown and halo, from the 6th-century Basilica of San Vitale in Ravenna, Italy. — Carriage of goods Justinian I, detail of a 6th-century mosaic at the Church of San Vitale, Ravenna, Italy.

In the context of the carriage of goods, a carrier may breach their contract by transferring goods to another carrier without authorization. This action constitutes a breach of contract when there is an express or implied condition that the transport must be performed specifically by the original carrier’s own vehicles. Such a condition is typically implied in maritime transport.1

When a carrier delegates the task to another party without permission, they remain legally responsible for the goods. Specifically, the original carrier becomes liable to the shipper for any loss or damage that occurs while the goods are in the possession of the second carrier, as well as for any misdelivery that may occur. By involving an unauthorized third party, the carrier cannot absolve themselves of their contractual obligations or liability for the safety of the goods.1