HAVE DECIDED to conclude a Convention for this purpose and havethereto agreed as follows：

PART I. GENERAL PROVISIONSArticle 1 Definitions

For the purposes of this Convention：

1. “International multimodal transport” means the carriage of goods byat least two different modes of transport on the basis of a multimodaltransport contract from a place in one country at which the goods aretaken in charge by the multimodal transport operator to a place designatedfor delivery situated in a different country. The operations of pick-upand delivery of goods carried out in the performance of a unimodaltransport contract， as defined in such contract， shall not be consideredas international multimodal transport.

2. “Multimodal transport operator” means any person who on his ownbehalf or through another person acting on his behalf concludes amultimodal transport contract and who acts as a principal， not as an agentor on behalf of the consignor or of the carriers participating in themultimodal transport operations， and who assumes responsibility for theperformance of the contract.

3. “Multimodal transport contract” means a contract whereby amultimodal transport operator undertakes， against payment of freight， toperform or to procure the performance of international multimodaltransport.

4. “Multimodal transport document” means a document which evidences amultimodal transport contract， the taking in charge of the goods by themultimodal transport operator， and an undertaking by him to deliver thegoods in accordance with the terms of that contract.

5. “Consignor” means any person by whom or in whose name or on whosebehalf a multimodal transport contract has been conducted with themultimodal transport operator， or any person by whom or in whose name oron whose behalf the goods are actually delivered to the multimodaltransport operator in relation to the multimodal transport contract.

6. “Consignee” means the person entitled to take delivery of thegoods.

7. “Goods” includes any container， pallet or similar article oftransport or packaging， if supplied by the consignor.

8. “International convention” means an international agreementconcluded among States in written form and governed by international law.

9. “Mandatory national law” means any statutory law concerningcarriage of goods the provisions of which cannot be departed from bycontractual stipulation to the detriment of the consignor.

10. “Writing” means， inter alia， telegram or telex.