A customer's order is always associated with certain delivery conditions or terms of delivery. This question is important because different events can be defined as to when a delivery is deemed to have taken place and when it is not. Using the example of freight forwarding, it can be said that the so-called "free kerbside" is the standard variant. The attribute "free" means that the recipient does not bear any costs for the shipment - the sender assumes the task or liability. The case would be different if the delivery condition was named "curbside carriage paid". In this case, the recipient is liable to pay for the delivery.
In practice, this means that the carrier is only obliged to ensure delivery to the point where the sidewalk ends at the respective address or where the goods are unloaded. In the B2B sector, delivery "free kerbside" is the rule, whereas in the B2C sector an additional order would have to be placed if the goods are to be delivered to the actual place of use.
Advantages and disadvantages of "free kerbside delivery"
Local conditions vary greatly and so does the risk for a freight forwarder of having to spend a lot of time and effort to actually "deliver" goods due to a lack of information. Typically, therefore, delivery "free kerbside" is offered as standard and, if, for example, delivery to the front door or to the home is desired, the option of an additional agreement is offered.
The advantages of "free kerbside":
- Lower freight and transportation costs for the shipper
- From the seller's point of view: transfer of risk to the buyer as soon as the goods have been unloaded undamaged
The disadvantages of "free kerbside":
- The buyer assumes the risk of damage from the kerbside
- Need for the recipient to organize further transport independently
- In the case of voluntary onward transportation: No coverage under the transport insurance
Important: In the B2C segment, the "free delivery" option is the standard in normal business transactions. If delivery "free kerbside" is to be agreed, this must be expressly stated in the purchase or delivery contract.
